Lemon Cookies from Scratch

Rating: 4.13 stars
16 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 8
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1

This is a fantastic lemon cookie recipe from scratch, making a batch of delicious, soft cookies with just a few lemons.

By mushdg02

Gallery
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Recipe Summary

prep:
15 mins
cook:
15 mins
additional:
30 mins
total:
1 hr
Servings:
20
Yield:
20 cookies
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

20
Original recipe yields 20 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Cream sugar, butter, and lemon zest together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

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  • Combine eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a cup; mix using a fork until combined. Beat into egg mixture slowly on low speed.

  • Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add to egg mixture slowly on low speed until just combined. Do not overbeat; dough will be sticky. Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; it will still be sticky after chilling.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Form dough into balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll each in powdered sugar. Place onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Lightly smash each ball down using your hand.

  • Bake in the preheated oven until the middle of each cookie is just barely set, 11 to 12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack completely before storing in an airtight container.

Cook's Notes:

For more lemon flavor, add more zest.

Eight balls of dough will fit on a normal 9x13-inch baking sheet.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
133 calories; protein 1.8g; carbohydrates 20.2g; fat 5.2g; cholesterol 30.8mg; sodium 105.6mg. Full Nutrition
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Reviews (12)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

DDee999
Rating: 5 stars
04/10/2020
Cookie is good, but I added more lemon juice. I used 1 tbs zest as 2 tbs juice. Can add more. I like the lemon taste. Read More

Most helpful critical review

Gitte
Rating: 1 stars
04/09/2020
Strange, sticky, result with a grainy mouthfeel. They tasted artificially flavored, and mildly lemon even though the recipe calls for real lemon. The flavor improved a bit with a lemon/powdered sugar drizzle. Wouldn't make these again. Read More
16 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 8
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Susan Heins
Rating: 4 stars
11/27/2019
I should have paid more attention to the "barely set" note. They taste good but I plan to add some homemade lemon glaze to make them more lemony and add a sweeter zip! Read More
Dominique Watts
Rating: 3 stars
12/21/2019
Great recipe but would put more lemon zest and juice next time as it just vaguely faster like lemon Read More
katy
Rating: 5 stars
03/28/2020
These cookies are delicious!! I used the zest from two lemons, but I could’ve gone with more- I can’t get enough zip! My husband said they’re already zippy though They were really easy to make- I’ll definitely be baking these again! Read More
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DDee999
Rating: 5 stars
04/10/2020
Cookie is good, but I added more lemon juice. I used 1 tbs zest as 2 tbs juice. Can add more. I like the lemon taste. Read More
Shimera
Rating: 3 stars
12/01/2020
I liked this recipe, but it wasn't nearly lemony enough for me. So while I did like it tasted a little bland to my taste and to the rest of my family. I would double the amount of lemon juice used. But only add a little more zest if you want, since I think the zest wouldn't help with it's slightly grainy flavor Read More
Brandie Borah Hanson
Rating: 5 stars
11/26/2019
These cookies were a huge hit at work. So yummy yet lite. Read More
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sue
Rating: 5 stars
11/07/2020
Was great recipe . Though of summer when made on freak snow storm day. Lemon flavor depends on size of lemon used. Might try with orange zest. Read More
FireLizSword
Rating: 5 stars
02/21/2021
Increased lemon juice to 1/4 cup, added 1/2 cup of flour and 1/4 tsp of baking powder to adjust for increased liquid Read More
Sonja Erdem
Rating: 5 stars
11/22/2019
These cookies are just great. I got a bit over 30 middle sized cookies from this recipe. They made the whole house smell like lemon cake. Just what we needed as the days are getting colder. Will definitely make these again. Thank you Read More
Gitte
Rating: 1 stars
04/09/2020
Strange, sticky, result with a grainy mouthfeel. They tasted artificially flavored, and mildly lemon even though the recipe calls for real lemon. The flavor improved a bit with a lemon/powdered sugar drizzle. Wouldn't make these again. Read More
More Reviews
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