Best 7 Soft Lemon Cookies From Scratch Recipes

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Famous for their soft, chewy texture and refreshing citrus flavor, lemon cookies are a favorite treat enjoyed by people of all ages. If you're looking to make your own batch of these delectable delights, there are countless recipes available that claim to produce the perfect results. However, not all recipes are created equal, and some can leave you with cookies that are too dry, too hard, or simply lacking in flavor. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of finding the best recipe for making soft lemon cookies from scratch. We'll provide tips on what to look for in a recipe, as well as some of our favorite recipes that are sure to satisfy your craving for these zesty treats.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EASY LEMON COOKIES RECIPE



Easy Lemon Cookies Recipe image

Quick and easy lemon cookies from scratch recipe, made with simple ingredients. These soft and chewy cookies are packed with lemon flavor, coming from lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract.

Provided by CakeWhiz

Categories     Cookies     Dessert

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup Butter (Unsalted)
1.5 cups Granulated sugar
1 Egg (Large)
1 tsp Lemon extract
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
2 tbsp Lemon juice
2 tbsp Lemon zest
Yellow food coloring (I recommend gel coloring)
2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 cup Additional granulated sugar (For rolling cookie dough balls)

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the egg, lemon extract, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, yellow gel coloring until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda.
  • Dump this dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Scoop out small portions of the dough and shape them into balls. Roll them in a plate filled with granulated sugar. Place them on a cookie tray, lined with parchment paper and chill the tray for 15-20 minutes.
  • Then, bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the edges are firm and slightly golden brown.
  • Allow these cookies to cool down and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 117 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Sodium 84 mg, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving

LEMON COOKIES FROM SCRATCH



Lemon Cookies from Scratch image

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

Provided by mushdg02

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
2 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 powdered sugar

Steps:

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

Nutrition Facts : Calories 133.2 calories, Carbohydrate 20.2 g, Cholesterol 30.8 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 105.6 mg, Sugar 11.6 g

SOFT AND CHEWY LEMON COOKIES



Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies image

These soft, chewy cookies are for lemon lovers only! They're made with a triple punch of lemon: lemon juice, zest, and extract. Perfect for when you need a little bit of sunshine.

Provided by Irvin Lin

Categories     Dessert     Cookie

Time 1h22m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 15

For the cookies:
3/4 cup (170g or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup (60g) cream cheese, room temperature
Zest of 1 medium lemon
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (200g) granulated white sugar
1/4 cup (55g) packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup lemon juice, from 1 medium lemon
2 1/2 cups (350g) all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
To finish:
1/2 cup (100g) granulated white sugar

Steps:

  • Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight: This makes the sticky, soft dough easier to roll out.
  • Heat the oven to 375°F: Line a baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment.

SOFT LEMON COOKIES FROM SCRATCH



Soft Lemon Cookies from Scratch image

These delicious cookies have a kick of lemon flavor, and they're made from scratch rather than a box mix like the majority of recipes out there. This recipe was created because I absolutely love lemon-flavored desserts, but have an allergy to artificial colorants and dyes used in food. Following this recipe as written, you can take comfort in knowing you're not feeding your children any artificial colorings.

Provided by Susan

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 14

cooking spray
1 cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest, preferably organic
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons powdered sugar for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  • Cream sugar and butter in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, egg, and vanilla extract; mix on low speed to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl to incorporate everything evenly.
  • Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Add to the sugar mixture slowly, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Mix in the remaining 2 tablespoons flour.
  • Place 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a small bowl. Scoop out teaspoonfuls of cookie dough, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet, 1 to 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are light brown on the edges, 9 to 11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 3 minutes on the cookie sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack and sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.7 g, Cholesterol 14.3 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 58.3 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

MOM'S LEMON SUGAR COOKIES



Mom's Lemon Sugar Cookies image

These tender, soft sugar cookies have just a hint of lemon. If you like more lemon flavor, go ahead and kick it up a notch. It's also fantastic made with orange instead. -Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 23m

Yield about 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

Steps:

  • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and extract. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours., Preheat oven to 375°. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 7-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 88 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 95mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

EASY LEMON THUMBPRINT COOKIES



Easy Lemon Thumbprint Cookies image

These buttery sugar cookies filled with sweet-tart lemon curd were inspired by our love of lemon, our appreciation for the classic thumbprint and the ever-present need for easy cookies. With all that in mind, the Betty Crocker™ Test Kitchens came up with this recipe full of time-saving hacks. It starts with an extra-citrusy dough made by adding lemon zest to Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix. The dough then gets rolled into balls, dipped in coarse sparking sugar and indented with the end of a wooden spoon, making a perfect divot for adding the lemon curd. From dough to oven, this recipe takes 25 minutes, so it's easy enough to prep while dinner's in the oven. When it's time to fill your cookies, a pastry bag fashioned from a resealable plastic bag and store-bought lemon curd makes it extra efficient. Before you know it, you'll have 50 bright and beautiful cookies perfect for just about any occasion.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 50

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix
Flour, butter and egg called for on cookie mix pouch for cutout cookies
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons coarse sparkling white sugar
1/3 cup lemon curd

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix cookie mix, flour, melted butter, egg and lemon zest with spoon until soft dough forms.
  • Shape into 50 (1-inch) balls. In small bowl, place sparkling sugar. Dip top of each ball in sugar. Place balls, sugared side up, 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Using end of wooden spoon, make 1/2-inch circle indentation in center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, spoon lemon curd into small resealable freezer bag; partially seal bag. Cut off small corner of bag. Insert cut corner of bag into indentation in each cookie. Squeeze bag to fill opening, about 1/4 teaspoon per cookie. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 70, Carbohydrate 10 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Cookie, Sodium 45 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g

LEMON CRISP COOKIES



Lemon Crisp Cookies image

I received this cookie in a cookie swap this year. These were my favorites of the bunch! I haven't tried these yet, but I think that I will refrigerate the dough and make them into balls. Just to get a more "perfect" looking cookie.

Provided by graciethebaker

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 1h5m

Yield 36 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups flour
colored crystal sugar, for decorating

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
  • Add egg, lemon zest, juice, vanilla and beat again.
  • In Separate bowl, Sift together Baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet in two batches, until just blended.
  • Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Sprinkle with colored sugar.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
  • Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute then move to a cooling rack.

Tips:

  • Use fresh lemons. Fresh lemons will give your cookies a brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.
  • Grate the lemon zest finely. This will help release the oils in the zest and give your cookies a more intense lemon flavor.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the dough and make your cookies lighter and more tender.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake the cookies until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before frosting them. This will help prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

These soft lemon cookies are a delicious and refreshing treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you are sure to love these cookies. So next time you are looking for a sweet and tangy treat, give these soft lemon cookies a try.

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