Easy Glazed Lemon Cookies Recipe (Soft and Chewy)
Soft, lightly golden brown, and bursting with lemon flavor, these Lemon Cookies are just absolutely delicious. Quick and easy to make, and perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or just a delightful everyday treat, these soft lemon cookies packed with lemon flavor will leave everyone asking for more. Paired with a cup of tea or enjoyed on their own, they are the ultimate comfort food.
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Why You Will Love Making This Lemon Cookie Recipe
- With the combination of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract, these cookies are a lemon lover’s dream come true. The tangy and fresh flavors will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you love lemon desserts or just want to try something new, this recipe has the lemony flavor you crave.
- You don’t have to be a professional baker to whip up these glazed lemon cookies. The ingredients are simple, and the process is straightforward. Just follow the step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have a batch of soft lemon cookies ready in no time.
- Whether it’s a festive holiday gathering or a casual get-together with friends, these easy lemon cookies are a hit. You can even freeze lemon cookies for later use, making them a convenient option when you need a quick dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Lemon Cookies with Step-by-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Prepare Your Baking Space
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This keeps your cookies from sticking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder (not baking soda!). Whisk together and set aside.
This will be your flour mixture, and having it ready will make the process smoother later on.
Create the Lemon Sugar
Take another small bowl and add lemon zest and granulated sugar. Using your fingers, rub the lemon zest and sugar together to infuse the sugar with lemon flavor.
It’s a simple but effective way to give your cookies that extra zesty kick!
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the room temperature unsalted butter and the lemon sugar until it’s light and fluffy.
Then, beat in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and an egg. On low speed, slowly beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture until it’s fully combined.
And just like magic, your cookie dough will come together, creating that soft texture you’re aiming for.
Shape and Bake the Cookies
Scoop out the cookie dough by the tablespoon, placing it on the prepared baking sheets.
Remember to leave space between them, as they will spread. Gently press down on the dough balls with the palm of your hand, and bake until the cookies are slightly golden brown, approximately 11 – 14 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze and Set
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together confectioners sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
Dip each cookie in the lemon glaze so that it’s evenly coated on the top, and let them sit until the glaze has set.
Serve and enjoy your chewy lemon cookies!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Lemon Products: Opt for fresh lemon juice and fresh lemon zest to get the most authentic lemon flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but nothing beats the zesty taste of real lemon juice straight from a fresh lemon.
- Baking to Perfection: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. You want them to be lightly golden brown and not overbaked. The baking time might vary slightly depending on your oven, so be attentive.
- Customize Your Glaze: The lemon glaze is a great place to experiment. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less lemon juice or confectioners sugar, or even powdered sugar. If you want more lemon flavor, simply add extra lemon juice. Want a different twist? Try substituting some of the lemon juice with orange juice for a citrusy blend.
- Extra Lemon: You can add extra lemon zest if you love a strong lemony flavor. Just be mindful of the balance so that the lemon flavor doesn’t become overwhelming.
- More Flavors to Try: Feel free to experiment with additional flavors such as almond extract, poppy seeds, orange zest, or even a sprinkle of thyme or rosemary for a sophisticated twist. The sky’s the limit!
How to Store Leftover Lemon Cookies
The good news is that if you’ve got leftover lemon cookies (which rarely happens in my house), then they store well.
Unglazed Cookies
The best way to store leftover cookies is in an airtight container at room temperature.
Place a piece of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. They will stay soft and fresh for up to a week.
Glazed Lemon Cookies
If you’ve already glazed your cookies and want to store them, follow the same guidelines as above.
Make sure the glaze has set completely before placing them in an airtight container or freezing them. The glaze will stay intact, and the cookies will remain delicious.
Freezing Lemon Cookies
If you’ve got more cookies than you can enjoy in the short term, you can freeze these lemon cookies!
Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper.
They can be frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature. If you want to warm them up a bit, you can place them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes.
They’ll be just as soft and packed with lemon flavor as the day you baked them.
Tip: You can also freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm and then transfer them to an airtight container.
When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reviving Stale Cookies
If your lemon cookies have gone a bit stale, you can revive them by heating them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes. The warmth will bring back their soft texture and zesty flavor.
What to Serve with Lemon Cookies
Cookies are a stand-alone snack – right? Well, yes, that’s true, but you can also enjoy them with these suggestions.
A Refreshing Glass of Lemonade
What pairs better with lemon cookies than a chilled glass of lemonade? The combination of the tangy flavors is a match made in citrus heaven!
Add a sprig of mint or a splash of sparkling water for an extra refreshing twist. If you fancy a lemon cocktail, be sure to try our Quick Lemon Margarita or our Lemon Drop Martini!
Classic Cup of Tea or Creamy Coffee
These cookies are perfect with a hot cup of tea. Choose a mild, aromatic tea like Earl Grey or Chamomile to complement the zesty lemon flavor.
It’s a pairing that’s sure to please at any tea time. If you’re a coffee lover, serve your cookies with a creamy coffee or cappuccino.
The richness of the coffee balances the brightness of the lemon, creating a delightful combination that’s perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Ice Cream and Sorbets
Lemon cookies can be a delightful side to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a citrus sorbet. The contrast of textures and temperatures adds a fun twist to the dessert experience.
Cheese Platter
For an unexpected yet delightful pairing, try serving these cookies with a cheese platter.
Soft cheeses like Brie or cream cheese paired with the tangy lemon cookies create a savory-sweet experience that’s both sophisticated and delicious.
More Lemon Desserts
If you love lemon desserts, why not go all out? Serve your lemon cookies alongside other lemon-flavored treats like Lemon Pie, No-Bake Lemon Tart, or a lemon mousse.
More Cookie Recipes For You to Try
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Air Fryer White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Easy Glazed Lemon Cookies Recipe (Soft and Chewy)
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teablespoon lemon zest
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 large egg
For the lemon glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
For the cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.2¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder
- In a small mixing bowl, add lemon zest and sugar. Using your fingers rub the lemon zest and sugar together.2 teablespoon lemon zest, ¾ cup sugar
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and the lemon sugar until it's light and fluffy, then beat in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and egg. On low speed, slowly beat the flour until it's fully combined.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 large egg
- Scoop out the cookie dough by the tablespoon and place it on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them as they will spread. Using the palm of your hand gently press down on the cookie dough.
- Bake until the cookies are slightly golden brown and set, approximately 11 – 14 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the lemon glaze:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together confectioners sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth. Dip each cookie in the lemon glaze so that it is evenly coated on the top, place them back on the rack until the glaze has set. Serve and enjoy!1 cup confectioners' sugar, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Notes
- Lemon Products: Opt for fresh lemon juice and fresh lemon zest to get the most authentic lemon flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but nothing beats the zesty taste of real lemon juice straight from a fresh lemon.
- Baking to Perfection: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. You want them to be lightly golden brown and not overbaked. The baking time might vary slightly depending on your oven, so be attentive.
- Customize Your Glaze: The lemon glaze is a great place to experiment. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less lemon juice or confectioners sugar, or even powdered sugar. If you want more lemon flavor, simply add extra lemon juice. Want a different twist? Try substituting some of the lemon juice with orange juice for a citrusy blend.
- Extra Lemon: You can add extra lemon zest if you love a strong lemony flavor. Just be mindful of the balance so that the lemon flavor doesn’t become overwhelming.
- More Flavors to Try: Feel free to experiment with additional flavors such as almond extract, poppy seeds, orange zest, or even a sprinkle of thyme or rosemary for a sophisticated twist. The sky’s the limit!
- Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure the glaze has set completely, and place a piece of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. They will stay soft and fresh for up to a week.
- Freezing: Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw completely before eating.
- Freeze cookie dough: You can also freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm and then transfer them to an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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These are soooo good! I have tried many lemon cookie recipes and this is by far the best I’ve tasted! I’m definitely making another batch soon..
I’m thrilled that you loved them, Lanie! They are really so good! Thank you for your awesome comment!
I was sold at “soft and chewy” – the two words I want to see in any cookie recipe! These were spectacular. The lemony flavor is bright and bold while the texture is soft and pillowy. I can’t think of a better winter cookie!
Love your comment, Tammy! Thank you! The soft and chewy texture is what I look into cookies, too!
I’ll be adding this to my rotation of holiday cookies because they were so enjoyable. Just the right amount of sweet with a refreshing lemony flavor. Perfect for after dinner or gifting.
I’m so happy that you liked these lemon cookies recipe, Davi! Yes, they are perfect for any occasion, especially the holidays.
This was perfect for my afternoon tea yesterday! The lemony taste plus the aroma and taste of vanilla perfectly blend with each other. I really love it 🙂
Yes, they are perfect for afternoon tea! I’m glad that you love them, Ana. I appreciate your feedback and rating!
As someone who’s not exactly a baking pro, this recipe is surprisingly easy to follow. The result was a batch of delicious soft lemon cookies. Definitely a new favorite for me!
So happy to hear that they are your new favorite, Michelle! I appreciate your feedback and rating!
I love anything lemon! This were so quick and easy to make. Such a delicious treat 🙂 That lemon glaze is just a brilliant addition to those cookies
Absolutely! It added a nice tangy and sweet flavor to the cookies! Glad you enjoyed them Hania!