Lemon Sugar Cookies
Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies are a crowd favorite that you can make anytime of the year. These lemon sugar cookies are thick and chewy and easy to freeze. Easy to make in one bowl with fresh lemon and everyday ingredients!
I spent a whole week baking lemon cookies. The first batch failed miserably. The cookies were paper thin and see through!!
The batches got better as I made small tweaks to the recipe. By the time I was happy with the recipe, I had made it 5 times – that’s about 2 dozen cookies per batch, or 120 cookies in total!
Ryan took a lot of those with him to work. He said a few coworkers asked him if we had an industrial sized oven ?
I wanted these lemon sugar cookies to be soft, but chewy – this is the ultimate cookie dichotomy! Isn’t it weird how both of those characteristics can be true of a cookie at the same time?
They are chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. And they are just puffy enough! And the lemon flavor is everything you’d want it to be in a cookie.
Easy Lemon Cookie Ingredients
- unsalted butter: adds flavor and and tender texture
- granulated sugar: adds sweetness, flavor and encourages browning
- lemon zest and lemon juice: adds that fresh lemon flavor
- egg: binds the cookies together by providing structure
- all purpose flour: flour is necessary to build structure in cookies
- baking soda: helps to leaven and lift the dough, affects browning and flavor
- salt: enhances the other flavors in the cookies
How to Make Lemon Cookies
- Cream the butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest together with a mixer.
- Add in the fresh lemon juice and egg, beat again until smooth.
- Gently add in the dry ingredients, mixing on low or by hand just until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop to form dough balls, roll the balls in sugar then place on a silicone mat lined baking sheet. Bake and Cool.
How Long Does it Take to Make Chewy Lemon Cookies?
- 10 minutes to make the cookie dough
- 30-60 minutes to chill the dough in the fridge
- 11-13 minutes to bake the cookies
- 15 minutes to cool the cookies
Why Refrigerate Cookie Dough?
The King Arthur website explains, “Chilling cookie dough before baking solidifies the fat in the cookies. As the cookies bake, the fat in the chilled cookie dough takes longer to melt than room-temperature fat. And the longer the fat remains solid, the less cookies spread.”
Refrigerating the cookie dough will help produce cookies that are chewier and softer because they won’t spread as much.
But I get it. Sometimes I really dislike chilling dough. So here’s my suggestion – if you can fit it in, refrigerate the dough, even for 15 minutes. If not, at least refrigerate the dough between baking batches. For example, if you can fit 8 cookies on one baking sheet, bake those and put the dough in the fridge while you’re waiting.
How to Store Lemon Cookies
Store lemon crinkle cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze Lemon Cookie Dough
- Drop cookie dough balls onto a silicone mat lined baking sheet. You can place the dough balls close together since you won’t be baking them.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the cookies are frozen solid, about 1 hour.
- Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a ziplock freezer bag. Label the bag with baking directions.
- Freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months.
- To bake: remove the dough from the freezer. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF. Roll the balls in sugar and bake for 13-15 minutes. Frozen cookies may need to bake for 1-2 minutes longer than non frozen cookies.
How to Make Gluten Free Lemon Cookies
I have made these cookies multiple times with King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour with great success.
Tips for Making Lemon Cookies
- Properly measure the all purpose flour using the spoon and sweep method.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming of the butter and sugar.
- Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30-60 minutes. I’m telling you, this helps to make the best thick & chewy cookies!
- Use a cookie scoop to form cookie dough balls.
- Bake cookies on a silicone baking mat.
More Cookie Recipes
Peanut Butter Cookies
Classic Monster Cookies
Black Forest Cookies
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Lemon Sugar Cookies
Soft and Chewy Lemon Cookies are a crowd favorite cookie that you can make anytime of the year. These lemon sugar cookies are thick and chewy and easy to freeze. Easy to make in one bowl with fresh lemon and everyday ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup - 230 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 & 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups (375 grams) all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar, for rolling cookies
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and lemon zest with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the lemon juice and egg, beat again to combine.
- Gradually add in the flour, baking soda and salt, mixing by hand with a spatula until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the fridge. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF. Place 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl for rolling the cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop to form balls, rolling each ball into the sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on a silicone lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the edges have a faint golden color.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Refrigerating the cookie dough will help produce cookies that are chewier and thicker because they won’t spread as much. But I get it. Sometimes I really dislike chilling dough. So here’s my suggestion – if you can fit it in, refrigerate the dough, even for 15 minutes. If not, at least refrigerate the dough between baking batches. For example, if you can fit 8 cookies on one baking sheet, bake those and put the dough in the fridge while you’re waiting.
This recipe turned out great using gluten free flour too! We love King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour.
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As a coworker of Ryan’s, I’m gonna give these a 9.8/10. Subtracting a 0.1 for the visible lemon zest (which for some, might be a plus for denoting exactly WHAT kind of sugar cookie they were, but it just seemed odd) and another 0.1 for the oddball humans that don’t like lemon. I’m looking at you, Justin.
LOL thanks for the honest rating Weston!
How long would these last in the freezer?!
I would see what this post recommends! https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-cookies-to-freeze-and-how-to-do-it-tips-from-the-kitchn-213638
I tried putting about 1 cup of leftover dough and it didn’t hold up well in the freezer.
Hi Kailani! I recommend rolling the dough into balls then freezing. Did you freeze the dough in one big ball instead individual cookie sized balls?
3tbs of flour or three cups?
Hi Esme! The recipe calls for 3 cups.
Is there a substitutions for the lemon zest? My mom doesn’t like any sort of zest and know immediately if I use it without telling her.
Hi Lynn! The lemon zest is important to this recipe for flavor. Maybe try looking for a lemon cookie recipe that uses lemon pudding mix instead?
I substituted lemon extract and it worked great!
I used 5 tbsp of lemon juice and it worked fine
Thank you for the recipe! Just made this for my family at my grandma’s house and everyone loved it! I had to substitute most of the lemon zest for more lemon juice though, ’cause I only had two lemons left. It worked pretty well, I think.
Quick question – do you know why your sugar cookies have this interesting shape? They are not completely flat on top, but have a bit of a dip in the middle. I’ve seen it on other recipes online, but mine never do that, they are always just dome-shapped. I don’t mind exactly, just got me curious.
Maybe fluff not compact the baking soda?
I’d like to know the reason for this too, Beth???
I’m thinking it might have something to do with how long you are baking them. I like to under bake my cookies just slightly, that way they are still chewy! But with under baking them, they will slightly fall in the center. Everyone has a different perception of what a “done” cookie is, so baking time will vary and effect this.
I also had dome shaped cookies. Not flat at all. I don’t have a mixer so maybe this is why?
Hi Emily! I used a hand mixer – did you mix by hand? I’m worried that the butter and sugar may not have been whipped enough if mixed by hand.
First, I have to say that I love this cookie!! Soft, perfectly lemon and delicious. I would also like to use this recipe to make just a plain sugar cookie too. Could I just leave out the lemon zest and lemon juice and maybe add some vanilla extract?
You will need to cut the baking soda by half if you omit the lemon juice or your sugar cookies will taste distinctly alkaline. Part of the purpose of the baking soda here is the neutralize and react with the acidity in the lemon juice.
Can you make these heart-shaped? I want to make some lemon-flavored heart shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day and these look like fun, but I’m not sure whether they would work for the effect that I’m looking for.
I’m sure they would turn out okay!
I have made these several times and everyone loves them. However, I tried today with the KA gluten free flour and they did not turn out. Totally flat after baking. Any ideas on what happened? I am certain I included the baking soda.
Hey Karen! I’ve made these with the KA gluten free flour before! Honestly, sometimes baking flukes happen. You used room temperature butter – not melted, right?
First words out of my hubby’s mouth were ‘Oh. My. God.’ And he was right. Bright, sunny, delicious, and just the right combination of chewy and crispy. Definitely making these again. Thanks!
WOOHOO!!
How important is “unsalted butter”? I just have salted butter.
Salted butter is fine! Just omit the additional salt in the recipe.
Hi beth, your cookies look scrumptious! Don’t mean to be a bother, but can you pls help with the flour and sugar measurement in grams. This will be very much appreciated, Thank you in anticipation.
Yinka from Nigeria.
Hi Yinka! I just added gram measurements, hope that helps!
What size cookie scoop?
I use this cookie scoop and make heaping dough balls (about 3 tbsp) – https://amzn.to/3hGVOl0
Can you recommend a good sugar substitute? Was hoping to make sugar free cookies.
Hi Shuney! I would recommend looking for a sugar free lemon cookie recipe on google. Sugar is a critical ingredient in this recipe.
You know, when i substitute sugar in my recipes, i use honey.
About how many lemons did you use for this recipe?
2 lemons! I used the zest from 2 lemons and then squeezed them to measure out 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
What if you don’t have a silicone baking sheet?
I’d recommend parchment paper!
Made these yesterday – were delish right out of the oven (crunchy and chewy like you said they’d be). I put them in an airtight container and today they are HARD!! Any guesses why? Thanks
Hi Hazel! Could you have possibly over baked them? Then they would get even harder as they sit.
I have found that if you stick a slice of bread in with cookies it keeps them soft. A client’s grandmother told me that tip. I tried it and it worked. I can’t wait to make these cookies I love lemon flavored items.
No, they weren’t over baked – they were perfect when they came out of the oven. Next time I’ll try the bread in the storage bowl – I have heard that before but never needed to do it! :-)
Cookies shouldn’t be perfect straight out of the oven they are still very soft and a bit undercooked sitting on the hot pan finishes them up and the cooling rack will give you the crunch. You definitely over baked them.
I love lemon anything in desserts! I cannot wait to make these cookies Beth! Thanks so much for sharing!
These look so yummy! I love lemon flavored desserts. Do you think you could use lemon essential oil?
Hi Karen! I’m not familiar with baking with essential oil. If you want them to be extra lemon-y you can add lemon extract.
The lemon oil would work well. I bake with it frequently. I would use it as a back up or convenience substitute though. In side-by-side tastings, baked goods made with zest are brighter tasting than those made with lemon oil.
Excited to make these! Do you have any estimates for a calorie count on these bad boys?
Hi Brittany! I don’t have an estimate, but if you copy and paste the ingredients into a calorie estimator, that will give you a ballpark!
I plugged the ingredients and servings into my fitness pal and it says 134 calories. Definitely not mad at that considering they taste AMAZING!! Thank you Beth!!
These are so yummy!! Mine didn’t flatten out as much as your cookies in the picture, but they tasted so good I don’t even care!!
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are great! Will pass on the recipe! Yummy cookie! Thanks!!
Can I substitute vegetable oil for butter in these delicious looking cookies?
Hi Telly! I haven’t tried it myself. If you are wanting a dairy free alternative to butter, I recommend Earth Balance butter!
I don’t have a cookie scoop. What diameter ball should I form with my hands?
The balls I formed were about 3 tbsp of dough!
These cookies are stalking me! I’ve seen them on Instagram and Pinterest at least every other day this week. They’re happening in my house this weekend, you’ve convinced me! lol!
Can the dough be refrigerated overnight?
Hi Loretta! Yes you can. Be sure to wrap the dough well in plastic wrap. I would recommend allowing the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling into balls. I haven’t tried refrigerating overnight, but my guess is that it would be fine!
these are delicious! Would they turn out if uppity refrigerated the dough over night? or would that be too long? Also is there anything you can use in place of butter? my sister is trying to cut out dairy?
Hi Ashle!
Yes you can refridgerate over night. Be sure to wrap the dough well in plastic wrap. I would recommend allowing the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling into balls. I haven’t tried refrigerating overnight, but my guess is that it would be fine!
I’ve made cookies with Earth Balance Vegan Butter before (it comes in a tub) and it works great!
Hi! I am wanting to make this recipe, but I would like to cut it in half, as I do not need very many cookies. Would you suggest using a medium size egg?
Hi Jelisa! I haven’t tried cutting this recipe in half and experimenting with egg size. Let us know if you try it with a medium egg.
Hi! I came across this recipe and realized I have everything at home right now to make it! (except only 2 cups of flour! ?) what do i need to do differently to make these cookies if I only have 2 cups?
Hi Kylie! Flour is a critical ingredient in adding structure to the cookies. I would wait until you have 3 cups of flour to make this recipe.
My first batch came out like little lemon biscuits but they were good!
Has anyone thought about or tried adding white choc chips to these? I haven’t tried but it sounds delicious to me and was curious.
I bet adding white chocolate chips would be delicious!
Just made these, delicious! I used brown sugar instead of white (it was all I had and I really wanted a cookie) and they turned out great! I’ll have to make them with white sugar one day to see what kind of difference it makes.. another day another adventure. Saw a previous comment about halving the recipe and I’m here to say I did, used 1 egg and like I said above, turned out great. Wonderful recipe, thank you!
Where do I find the measurements for this recipe? Thanks! :)
I found them! Thanks!
These are so good! Chewy and soft! I even added extra lemon juice and they are amazing! i will make these again!
Just made these. While the dough was thicker and dryer than I expected, the cookies were perfection. Thick, chewy and just the right touch of lemon. Hands down a winner!
Made these cookies yesterday and they were a hit. Easy recipe and delicious
These cookies are SO good! I think I’ve found my sugar cookie recipe. I love the lemon version (made them yesterday). I was also thinking you could make plain sugar cookies by substituting vanilla extra for the lemon juice and zest. Or Almond, substitute almond extract and maybe roll in sugar and sliced almonds … So many possibilities! Peppermint extract at the holidays, and roll them in crushed candy canes!
I believe this recipe is a direct copy of my Lemon Crinkle Cookies, so much so that you actually left my title in your recipe about 2/3 of the way through. Im giving you the benefit of the doubt that you made an error but please give credit to those who worked hard on content before placing it on your own site for profit. Thank You.
Hi Lauren! I wish you would have left your actual email address so I could get in touch with you. This post was originally published Thursday April 28th 2018. I updated the post for SEO, adding additional search terms similar to lemon sugar cookies, and republished it April 2020. In my post I talk about how I worked on testing this recipe multiple times back in 2018.
A perfect cookie ! Easy to make, lots of lemon flavor! just delicious ! We could’t stop eating them ! great recipe!!
Read the recipe and comments. I’m inspired to bake while on lockdown in Windhoek, Namibia! Lemon trees in my yard. Lemon cookies here I come!
During this time I have only found salted butter sticks. Will it still work out? Limited supply at the store.
Hi Michele! Definitely, just omit the additional salt.
tried few times already and absolutely love them:)
For the last 2 weeks I’ve been wanting something lemon, I’ll be making these tomorrow.
Thanks for the recipe!
How about rolling the first few into balls and putting them in the fridge while rolling the remaining dough? Then put them in the fridge while the first are cooking. Since it’s not a big lump of dough, the balls should cool quicker. Does that sound feasible to you?
Yes, that sounds like it would work. Just keep in mind, the dough might be slightly more sticky if trying to roll the balls right away.
I wanted to love this recipe, I was so excited… however even though I followed the recipe exactly, they did not bake right. They stayed in balls even after baking. I tried flattening them on my next batch (like peanut butter cookies) and again, they did not move from where I flattened them. I tried baking them longer and shorter and neither one helped. What gives?! They look nothing like your picture of them.
Hi Eryn! That doesn’t sound good. A few questions to help me trouble shoot: How did you measure the flour? How long did you refrigerate the dough? Did you make any substitutions?
Do I have to roll them in sugar are is that just adding for more flavor of sweet?
Hi Tara! You don’t have to roll them in sugar. It’s more for that classic sugar cookie look.
I tried refrigerating the cookies and putting strawberry buttercream in the middle to make a sandwich. It tastes like a macaron. No need to roll in sugar.
This cookie is delicious I will be making them again and again. I’d like to try them with orange zest. Keeper!!
These are the BEST sugar cookies I’ve ever made! Followed recipe exactly. So good! Thanks for the great recipe.
Really looking forward to making these. Just a quick question, do you have a fan assisted oven? What temp would you suggest is used for a fan assisted oven? Thanks :)
Hi Janine! I’m not familiar with fan assisted ovens, sorry!
How many calories does one cookie contain please?
I’ve made a lemon loaf cake with similar ingredients that called for vanilla extract. Do you think that would be a good add here to your recipe?
Yes! You can add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
How many grams were those sticks of butter each
1 stick butter = 1/2 cup butter = 113 grams butter
I’d love to try these.
My problem is I don’t have a cookie scoop, nor easy access to one.
I really wish there was a pic of just how big one of the pre-bake balls is compared to a thumb/finger (like the one of a baked cookie being picked up. Or failing that; how much (approx) one weighs?
Hi Yetta! My dough balls were about 3 heaping tablespoons of dough, that’s a good reference to use if you don’t have a cookie scoop.
made these today and my husband and i love them. perfect summertime cookie. goes great with iced tea and white wine. lol. i guess i made them a little small because i got 54 out of the batch but it was a happy accident. perfect size. i’ll be making these for family bbqs this summer. thank you.
This looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
These are SOOOOO good!! It’s definitely my new favorite. I added 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract to round out the tart and it was perfection. I used a large cookie scooper (3 tb) and baked it at 350 for 12 min. I literally stared it down until they were cool enough to take a bite. They were BURSTING with fresh lemon flavor. Sooo good.
These lemon cookies are delicious! Based on a few of the reviews I read, I added an additional tablespoon of lemon juice. Perfect! I’m a lemon junkie and can never have too much lemon.
These cookies were a hit with my “cookie monster” husband. I didn’t have butter so I used margarine cubes and they turned out perfect. Nice and soft and great lemon flavor. Thanks for the recipe. I will make these alot.
Anyone use Raw sugar to roll them in before you bake them? Was thinking that might be nice.
I made these for a wedding reception. I decided to add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract to the dough because i wanted extra lemont flavor. I cooked them for 11 minutes. They were soft and lemony. I overheard people raving about these cookies. I will absolutely make these again.
My cookies turned out dome-shaped. I followed the recipe exactly. In the video they used 3 big spoons of flour instead of 3 cups. Did I put too much flour?
Hi Elizabeth! The video is sped up so it only looks like 3 spoonfuls, but it is 3 cups. Did you measure the flour using the spoon and level method?
SOSOSOSOSO good!!! My 9 year old daughter made these with GF flour which means that I can eat them. This is where the trouble starts!!!
GF flour can be tricky – they turned out a little delicate and crumbly which means they are not lunchbox friendly. Oh well, the will have to stay at home with me…. what to do?!
Hi Nicole! What kind of gluten free flour did you use and how did you measure it?
What size cookie scoop?
I use a large cookie dough scoop. https://amzn.to/2JcS8vc
I made these today and they were outstanding! Added an extra tablespoon of lemon juice and white chocolate chips!
Hello! Would it be okay if i reduce the amount of sugar? I’m actually on a diet but I couldn’t handle the cravings. Please do let me know. Thank you~
This was a great cookie! I followed the recipe to the letter with the exception of adding a little lemon extract.
Followed the recipe exactly (except for the lemon zest, I didn’t measure—I zested two lemons and dumped it all in). I loved these so much!!! I gave them all away but keep thinking about making a batch for myself. Oh, when zesting the lemons I told myself I should try using Meyer Lemons next time. Or try it with lime for a margarita cookie. 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you for posting/sharing this great recipe!
I only want to make 1 dozen of these cookies. Do I just make them bigger or split the ingredients in half?
I would make them bigger 🤣
I chilled the dough over night. After putting the first pan in the oven, I continued rolling out the remaining dough and put it in the fridge until putting the next pan in. Cookies turned out perfect. I DID run short of lemon zest so had a lime and used the zest from that too – it worked out fine. I did add a little more than 2 T of lemon juice since I wanted lots of flavor. A wonderful, delicate cookie. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
These were a big hit. I backed off a bit on lemon zest and it still had plenty of lemon flavor. I’m egg allergic so I substituted egg with two tablespoons of Greek yogurt and a teaspoon of egg replacer powder. They were perfect. My family dubbed them the lemon doodle. Thanks
Hi! I tried them and I really love the soft texture of this cookies, te only problem is that they have also a soft lemon flavour.. how can I add more lemon flavour? If I add more juice I’d have to add more flour, is that way? Or the zest is the one that gives more flavour? Thanks!!
Hi Ana! You can add more lemon zest or try lemon extract for an extra lemon kick.
Soooo…..yummy!! I will definitely make again! I added “lemon-ginger sugar” to the 1/4 cup of sugar at the end to roll them in. Adding this to my cookie recipe collection for sure!
Made these cookies, they were delicious and moist!
Loved this recipe. Although I added a bit more zest and lemon juice to make the flavor really pop. I also made them like small little drops and called them lemon cookie drops. Delicious!!
That bread trick works👍 Not only for over-baked cookies, but also cookies past their prime. I put a slice
of white bread, enveloped in wax paper right in the container If the bread comes in direct contact with the cookie, it makes the cookie crumble. 👍 This lemon cookie recipe sounds wonderful, thank you.
I love this recipe and the cookies are delicious. I did all mixing with my KitchenAid mixer and the lemon flavor was consistent in every cookie I ate. My cookies are also dome shaped. Not an issue but I really wanted them flat like in the picture.
These are amazing, and my entire family is crazy about them, which is really saying something. There’s usually someone who doesn’t like something, even if everyone else does. These cookies have brought us together ☺️ Thank you SO MUCH for such an awesome recipe.
I just came across this recipe. I was wondering if you ever tried icing on top. Powdered sugar and lemon juice? I haven’t made these cookies yet, just wondering about the icing on top
Hi Nina! I haven’t added a glaze icing to these cookies, but I think it would be delicious! I would make the glaze thicker so it doesn’t all run off the cookies.
Do you think I could substitute the lemon juice and zest for lime juice and zest?? I’m thinking they’d turn out green-ish lol but not sure if the recipe would work…any opinions?
I think that’s an awesome idea!! Lime sugar cookies!