Lemon Sugar Cookies – A sweet & slightly tart twist on your classic sugar cookie. These soft & chewy lemon cookies will soon be a cookie jar favorite.
My husband loves anything with lemon or lime, especially drinks & cookies. I was inspired by his favorite pie, Best Key Lime Pie a few years back to make Key Lime Sugar Cookies and they were a huge hit.
My son, Madden loves lemon as much as my hubby. In almost week he will be eleven years old (silently crying) and he always asks for my Best Ever Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. So this week I decided to take his favorite cake and make it into a cookie. But since all of my kids don’t love poppy seeds I made a traditional these Lemon Sugar Cookies as well.
These cookies turned out amazing. And while lemon isn’t my favorite because these cookies are so soft and chewy – then with the classic buttercream on top, I have to say that lemon has officially moved up on my list.
Now I am onto everything lemon, like Lemon Quick Bread (which I need to make soon) and Scottish Lemon Shortbread, because my son, Aiden, has been waiting for me to make some shortbread.
LEMON COOKIE BAKING TIPS
Can you freeze these lemon sugar cookies?
All cookies can be frozen, but it is best to wrap them individually to freeze them and only do this once they have cooled completely. Another way to freeze then is to stack them in layers in a Ziplock or container, separating the layers using parchment paper. I personally love individually wrapping them as I feel they taste better. Do not freeze frosted.
How long will these lemon cookies stay fresh in an airtight container?
Properly stored, freshly baked cookies hard cookies will last for about 2 to 3 weeks at normal room temperature and stored in an airtight container. Soft cookies only last a few days.
Can you freeze lemon sugar cookie dough?
This cookie dough can be easily frozen but it is best if you portion about the dough beforehand. Scoop the cookie like you were going to bake them and just place on parchment paper. Then wrap the parchment paper in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Before you bake preheat the oven, following the cookie recipe suggested temperature. Stick on baking sheet lined with parchment paper, placing 2 inches apart, the only thing you will need to change is add an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time for the frozen dough.
So while I wish it were snowing, because our winter was a dry one for Colorado and fire season is now already here because it is so dry. I am looking forward to spring and summer and lemon is just that sign for me. Sunshine, sunscreen and lemon in everything. Enjoy! XOXO San
Don’t forget to pin this recipes for Lemon Sugar Cookies to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
FROSTING
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3-5 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
- Cream together sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolks, lemon zest and juice.
- Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir.
- Form dough into walnut size balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Don't flatten. Bake 10-12 minutes, until tops are cracked and just turning color.
- FROSTING
- In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk, lemon zest and juice with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
This post was recently updated from it’s original post March 2017.
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Delish, ran to kitchen and baked
Getting ready to make the Lemon Cookies. They look YUMMY!!
How many cookies is this recipe supposed to make? I know the size of a walnut is somewhere between 1 and 2 TBSP, but I am wondering an estimated amount of cookies this recipe makes. Thanks!
It made 30 cookies. They are delicious!
these were superb, really don’t need icing! ty
Sign me up for a dozen! These look GREAT!
Thank you, enjoy!
Sugar cookies are the best, and this lemon version is amazing!!
I love anything with lemon added, I hope you enjoy!
Bring on summer!
Enjoy!
I love lemon flavored cookies!
I definitely do too! Thanks!
These look so good with the lemony, fluffy frosting! Fun for the spring season (or to brighten up the winter season)!
They are definitely so good! I hope you enjoy!
Hello.
I am looking forward to making these cookies, but I have a question. I read in the recipe post that you too live in CO. Has this recipe been written for high altitude baking?
We are just under 5000 feet here in Fort Collins, so normally our recipes don’t require any adjustments. I’ve noticed the only difference from sea level is that things take a bit longer to heat up, but that’s all.
These were very easy to bake and are delicious! They are bringing a touch of spring to my first Wisconsin winter!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you!