Description
These soft glazed lemon cookies feature a bright, fresh lemon flavor with a tender, buttery texture and a glossy, tangy glaze that balances sweetness perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the lemon glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer on medium speed until pale, creamy, and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with fingers or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- While cookies cool, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency by adding more lemon juice if needed.
- Drizzle or dip cookies in the lemon glaze and sprinkle with optional lemon zest.
- Allow glaze to set for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not overbake to keep cookies soft. Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. Chill dough for 15 minutes if butter is too soft or kitchen is warm. Glaze consistency should be pourable but not runny. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Reheat refrigerated cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 2
Keywords: lemon cookies, soft cookies, lemon glaze, citrus dessert, buttery cookies, easy cookie recipe