Description
Soft and tender lemon cream cheese crinkle cookies bursting with fresh citrus flavor, featuring a delicate crackled sugar coating and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar, divided (1½ cups and ½ cup)
- 3 tablespoons (18 g) fresh lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature and lightly beaten
- 2¼ cups (281 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) confectioners’ sugar
- Small amount yellow gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add 1½ cups granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Add beaten egg and optional food coloring, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add flour on low speed, mixing just until combined. Dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place remaining ½ cup granulated sugar in one bowl and confectioners’ sugar in another.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls.
- Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then generously in confectioners’ sugar.
- Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
- Bake 12–14 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden and tops are puffed with visible cracks. Do not overbake.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and enhance crinkle effect.
- Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract for variation.
- Stir in poppy seeds or white chocolate for additional texture.
- Store at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
