When a coworker suggested swapping out the cinnamon in snickerdoodles for lemon, I was intrigued—and the results were fantastic! This soft lemon cookie recipe is perfect for anyone who loves bright, citrusy desserts. We’ve affectionately dubbed them Lemon Snickerdoodles, Lemon Doodles, or, thanks to my husband’s clever contribution, Lemony Snickets.
These cookies are delicious on their own, but adding the lemon icing takes them to a whole new level. I prefer dipping the tops for a generous layer of icing, but a drizzle works great, too. These cookies are ideal for summer or any time you want a refreshing treat! I hope you enjoy baking (and eating) them as much as we do.
Soft, tangy lemon cookies with a sweet citrus icing.
Lemon Sugar Coating
Cookie Dough
Lemon Icing
Note: You will need 4 to 6 lemons for this recipe, depending on their size, to obtain the required zest and juice.
Makes approximately 30 cookies
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Below you will find tips and tricks to help achieve the best results possible! These might be the best lemon cookies ever.
These easy lemon cookies begin with a delightful snickerdoodle cookie base, creating a unique twist on classic cookies. The dough balls are rolled in a zesty lemon sugar coating, baked to perfection, and finally topped off with a sweet lemon icing that enhances the citrus flavor. These lemon cookies recipe is perfect for any lemon lover!
Cream of Tartar - A dry powder found in the spice aisle, cream of tartar reacts with baking soda, helping the cookies rise while adding a slightly acidic, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness.
Margarine - While I don’t often bake with margarine, it is essential for this recipe. Using butter will cause the cookies to spread too much, resulting in a flatter cookie. Margarine helps reduce spreading, yielding thicker, soft lemon cookies. Opt for sticks of margarine, such as Imperial or Blue Bonnet, and avoid tub margarine for the best results.
Lemon Flavored Gelatin - Adding powdered lemon-flavored gelatin (like Jello) enhances the lemon flavor without altering the texture of the cookies, making them even more irresistible.
Lemon Zest - Zest the outer skin of the lemon, steering clear of the bitter white pith. The zest captures all the vibrant lemon flavor, giving these cookies their signature taste.
Food Coloring - Though optional, a pinch of yellow food coloring can add a lovely hint of color to your cookies. I prefer using powdered food coloring, which allows for easy adjustments. Start with a small amount—you can always add more to achieve your desired shade.
Mixer (stand mixer or a hand-held mixer)
Baking sheet
Cookie scoop, optional
Food processor, optional
Mixing Technique: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, which we want to avoid for that perfect soft texture.
Making Lemon Sugar: For the best lemon sugar, quickly pulse the granulated sugar and lemon zest together in a small food processor. The fragrant aroma will fill your kitchen! If you prefer not to use a food processor, you can mix them by hand with a spoon, but the food processor yields the most consistent results.
Uniform Cookie Sizes: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes for your lemon cookies. I recommend using two scoops from a #50 cookie scoop to form a single 2-inch dough ball, weighing between 35-40 grams each.
Flattening the Dough: Gently flatten the dough balls. Be careful not to press too hard, as this may cause the edges to crack and affect the cookie’s appearance.
Efficient Baking: While one tray of cookies is baking, continue rolling and coating the remaining dough balls in lemon sugar. This method saves time and keeps your baking process flowing smoothly. It is also helpful to have two baking sheets.
Avoid Overbaking: To maintain the soft texture of your lemon cookies, be cautious not to overbake them. They should remain light in color and not brown too much. I often bake a couple of test cookies first to gauge the perfect baking time.
You can experiment with other citrusflavors by substituting lemon zest and juice with orange or lime for a delightful twist on this soft cookie recipe.
Try my mud pie cookies for another delicious cookie that’s sure to impress!
Review
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