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These lemon sugar cookies put a bright and zesty spin on my favorite soft-baked sugar cookie recipe. They’re easy to make with real lemon juice and zest and topped with creamy lemon frosting.
Thick and soft lemon sugar cookies are the best of my zesty lemon crinkle cookies and classic frosted sugar cookies, all in one!
These soft and sweet lemon sugar cookies are about to steal the show at every cookie exchange or potluck this season! A fresh and zesty twist on classic sugar cookies, they have bright, tart lemon infused throughout and a rich, creamy lemon frosting smeared on top. All it takes is a sprinkle of yellow sanding sugar to have these lemon sugar cookies ready for the party. Best of all, they’re the easiest to make!
Why I Love These Lemon Sugar Cookies
- No chilling the dough. These drop sugar cookies don’t require any chilling time in the fridge. The dough is ready to go as soon as it’s mixed.
- Fresh lemon flavor. Real lemon juice and fresh lemon zest pack these soft sugar cookies full of zesty citrus. There’s nothing like the real thing here, so I HIGHLY recommend fresh lemon and not bottled lemon juice in this recipe. You’ll taste the difference!
- Creamy icing. The homemade lemon frosting that I use for these lemon sugar cookies is out-of-this-world delicious. It’s sweet, creamy, and zingy from the lemon. It takes these cookies totally over the top.
What You’ll Need
I love the way the tart lemon balances the sugary sweetness of these lemon cookies perfectly. The secret to all that flavor and these cookies’ soft, thick texture comes down to a few key ingredients, which I cover with some notes here. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe details.
- Butter – I use unsalted butter. Take the butter out of the fridge ahead of time to soften to room temperature.
- Eggs – These can also be at room temperature.
- Lemon – You’ll need the zest and juice from a fresh lemon. Zest the lemon before you juice it!
- Dry Ingredients – Granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Check the expiration date on your baking powder to ensure it’s fresh.
- Frosting – You can frost these lemon sugar cookies or leave them unfrosted. I have included the recipe for my easy lemon frosting, just in case! All you need is softened butter, powdered sugar, and additional lemon juice and lemon zest. You may also need milk (any kind) to thin out the frosting.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
These lemon sugar cookies come together in three easy steps. They’re the kind of cookie that’s great for last-minute holiday baking! Follow along below, and scroll to the printable recipe card for the step-by-step instructions.
- Mix the cookie dough. Start by creaming together butter and sugar until that’s light and fluffy. Next, beat in the eggs along with the lemon juice and zest. Lastly, add the dry ingredients and mix to form the dough.
- Portion the cookies. Now, scoop the dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons in size, and place the cookies on a lined baking sheet. Gently press the top of each cookie with the bottom of a glass (or use your hands) to flatten it slightly.
- Bake. Bake these lemon sugar cookies for 9-10 minutes until they’re set at the edges. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before you move them to a wire rack.
Easy Lemon Frosting
If you’re frosting your sugar cookies, wait until they’ve cooled completely. Then, follow the steps below to make the creamy lemon frosting:
