Lemon cookies 🍋
Ingredients:
-1 cup butter, softened
-1 cup light brown sugar
-¼ cup granulated sugar
-1 egg
-1 tbsp lemon extract
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-½ tsp baking soda
-½ tsp baking powder
-½ tsp salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Scoop dough into balls (about 1–2 tbsp each) and place on baking sheet.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
Let cookies cool slightly, then dust generously with powdered sugar.
Baking lemon cookies at home can be a delightful and rewarding experience. I love this particular recipe because it balances the tartness of lemon with the rich sweetness of brown and granulated sugar, creating cookies that are soft yet slightly crisp on the edges. One tip I found helpful is to use fresh lemon zest and lemon juice instead of lemon extract when possible; this can elevate the freshness and brightness of the cookies significantly. When mixing the dough, it's important not to overblend the dry and wet ingredients, as overmixing can make the cookies tough. The dough should remain soft to ensure a tender final product. I usually chill the dough for about 30 minutes before scooping it onto the baking sheet, which helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking. The baking time of 10 to 12 minutes is perfect for achieving a cookie with set edges and a soft center, but ovens vary. I recommend checking at the 10-minute mark to adjust accordingly; the cookies will continue to firm up slightly as they cool on the baking sheet. After baking, dusting them generously with powdered sugar not only adds sweetness but also gives them a lovely decorative finish. These lemon cookies pair wonderfully with afternoon tea or as a refreshing dessert after a savory meal. If you enjoy citrus flavors, you might also love experimenting by adding a bit of poppy seeds or drizzling a light lemon glaze on top for extra zing. Overall, this recipe is straightforward and perfect for bakers of all levels who want to add a bright, delicious treat to their repertoire.
