Lemon Cookies from Scratch

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(90)
80 Reviews
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This lemon cookie recipe makes a batch of soft, delicious, old-fashioned cookies with just a few lemons.

Submitted by mushdg02
Updated on March 7, 2024
Lemon cookies on a blue plate
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
20
Yield:
20 cookies
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 20 servings

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup confectioners' sugar for rolling

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make lemon cookies from scratch

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

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

    A large glass bowl of butter, sugar, and lemon zest being mixed with a hand mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Whisk together eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla in a small bowl until combined. Beat into butter mixture slowly on low speed.

    A glass bowl with eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla being added to the butter-sugar mixture with a hand mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt 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.

    A bowl of lemon cookie dough being mixed with a hand mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Form dough into balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, then roll each in confectioners' sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Lightly smash each ball down using your hand.

    A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with eight balls of lemon dough rolled in powdered sugar

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until the centers are just barely set, 11 to 12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack completely before storing in an airtight container.

    A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with eight lemon cookies

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tips

You can add additional zest for more lemon flavor.

You can fit eight balls of dough on a standard 9x13-inch baking sheet.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

133 Calories
5g Fat
20g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 20
Calories 133
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 106mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 21mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.