Description
These Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies are bright, buttery, and full of real lemon flavor from zest, juice, and extract. They bake up with a tender interior, slight chew, and a light sugar coating that makes every bite irresistible.
Ingredients
- unsalted butter, softened
- granulated sugar
- lemon zest
- egg
- egg yolk
- lemon extract (or a combo of lemon + vanilla)
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- cornstarch
- salt
- lemon juice
- extra granulated sugar (for rolling / garnish)
Instructions
- Cream together butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fragrant.
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and extracts; mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- Pour lemon juice over the baking soda (it will bubble) and then add into the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Scoop the dough into balls (about 1½ to 2 tablespoons each) and chill for at least an hour.
- After chilling, roll dough balls in extra granulated sugar and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 325 °F (163 °C) for 10–12 minutes, taking care not to overbake so the centers stay soft.
- While warm, use a round glass to gently swirl the cookies into perfect rounds.
- Let them cool for 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a rack. Finish with a sprinkle of sugar and lemon zest.
Notes
- Measure flour accurately (spoon & level) to keep texture light and chewy.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading.
- Swirling with a glass gives pretty, uniform shapes while the cookies are still pliable.
- You can fold in white chocolate chips or berries for variation.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days, or freeze baked or raw dough (thaw / bake fresh when needed).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 203 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 144 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg
