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stack of glazed lemon cookies on a small plate.

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Carolyn
These glazed lemon sugar cookies are bright and buttery with a pop of fresh citrus! They're easy to make and beautiful too. Perfect for spring celebrations like Easter and bridal showers.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Cool time: 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 148 kcal

Equipment

  • Sheet pans
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Rolling Pin
  • 2.5 inch round cookie cutter

Ingredients
  

For the cookies:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (2 sticks)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled (see note)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the glaze:

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

For the cookies:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together on medium speed until pale and creamy.  Mix in the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until combined.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed during the mixing process.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt.  With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture and mix just until combined
  • Place the cookie dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll dough to ½-inch thickness. Dip a 2 ½ inch round cookie cutter into flour and cut out the cookies. Gently bring together the excess dough and re-roll as needed.  Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets
  • Bake for 8 minutes.  Allow the cookies to cool for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the icing:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, water, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Dip the top of each cookie into the icing before placing back onto the cooling rack or onto a parchment lined surface. Garnish with fresh lemon zest while the icing is still wet, if you choose
  • The icing should be fully set in about an hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 205IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Keyword glazed lemon cookies, lemon sugar cookies
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