Sweet & Tangy Lemon Sugar Cookies You’ll Love to Bake
These Lemon Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and bursting with lemon flavor, making them perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- - Stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- - Offset spatula
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar Enhances flavor and aids in browning.
- 2 lemons Lemon Zest Crucial for intense lemon flavor.
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter At room temperature for easy creaming.
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil Adds moisture for a tender texture.
- 1 large Egg Use room temperature for better mixing.
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract Adds depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Extract Optional for extra lemon flavor.
- 2 cups Cake Flour For a delicate crumb.
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder Helps cookies rise.
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda Aids in leavening.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt Enhances sweetness.
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter Essential for creamy frosting.
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar Adds sweetness and thickness.
- 1 lemon Lemon Zest Incorporates lemon flavor.
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice Brightens flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Milk To adjust frosting consistency.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt Balances sweetness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the Oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer, combine granulated sugar with lemon zest, rubbing them together gently to release citrus oils.
- Add butter and vegetable oil; beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and optional lemon extract; beat for another 2 minutes until fluffy.
- Gradually fold in cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just incorporated.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion and roll dough into balls, placing 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes until the edges are puffy but the centers remain soft; cool completely.
- For the frosting, cream together butter, powdered sugar, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, milk, and salt until fluffy.
- Once cookies are cool, frost them and add sprinkles or extra zest for garnish if desired.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.