Irresistibly Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies: Your New Favorite Sweet & Tangy Treat!
Prepare to fall in love with these Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies – the ultimate sweet and tart lemon cookie experience! This exceptional Soft Lemon Cookie recipe features a delightful burst of fresh lemon flavor in every tender bite, perfectly complemented by a vibrant, tangy lemon glaze. It’s a sunshine-filled dessert that’s guaranteed to brighten any day.
Many consider this to be the best lemon cookie recipe ever, and one taste will likely make you a believer! Crafting these easy lemon cookies with glaze requires minimal effort, and the brief chilling period for the dough is a crucial step that’s always worth the wait. This essential rest time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the butter to firm up, resulting in a more robust lemon taste and a perfectly tender, chewy texture that truly sets these cookies apart. Once you experience that depth of flavor, you’ll understand why patience is a key ingredient!
Experience the Zest: Lemon Cookies with a Luscious Lemon Glaze
These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re an explosion of flavor. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of sweet and tart, with the soft, buttery lemon cookie base providing the perfect foundation for the bright, tangy-sweet lemon icing. The combination evokes the feeling of a warm summer day, no matter the season. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a baby shower, or a bridal shower, these cookies are sure to be a showstopper. Guests will undoubtedly be asking for this recipe, captivated by their irresistible taste and delightful aroma. They make an excellent addition to any dessert table, a thoughtful hostess gift, or simply a wonderful pick-me-up for yourself.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies
Creating truly exceptional lemon cookies starts with the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to bring these delightful treats to life, along with tips on why each component is important:
For the Cookies You Will Need:
- Butter: You’ll need ½ cup (one stick) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Room temperature butter is crucial for creaming properly with sugar, incorporating air into the dough, which leads to a lighter, softer cookie.
- Sugar: One cup of granulated sugar provides the primary sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s tender texture. When creamed with butter, it helps create those tiny pockets of air that make the cookies soft.
- Egg: A single large egg acts as a binder, holding the dough together, while also adding richness and moisture. Ensure your egg is also at room temperature for better emulsion with the other ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: Use ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. While lemon is the star, vanilla subtly enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile, adding a warm, comforting note without overpowering the citrus.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Two and a half tablespoons of fresh lemon juice provide the primary tangy flavor. Always opt for fresh juice over bottled for the brightest, most authentic lemon taste.
- Lemon Zest: The zest of 1 lemon is essential. Lemon zest contains concentrated citrus oils, delivering a vibrant, aromatic lemon punch that truly elevates the cookie’s flavor and fragrance. Don’t skip this for maximum lemon impact!
- All-Purpose Flour: Two cups of all-purpose flour form the structural base of your cookie dough. Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid a dense cookie.
- Baking Soda: Half a teaspoon of baking soda is the leavening agent that helps these cookies rise and achieve their beautifully soft, slightly puffed texture as they bake.
- Yellow Food Coloring: A few drops of yellow food coloring are optional but highly recommended. This ingredient visually enhances the cookies, giving them a cheerful, lemon-like hue that makes them even more appealing on a dessert platter.
For the Tangy Lemon Glaze You Will Need:
- Powdered Sugar: One cup of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) is the base for the glaze, creating a silky-smooth, sweet, and quickly setting icing.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Approximately 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice are used to thin the powdered sugar to the perfect drizzling consistency while also infusing the glaze with an extra layer of bright, tangy lemon flavor. Adjust the amount based on your desired glaze thickness.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Soft Glazed Lemon Cookies
Follow these simple instructions to create batch after batch of these delightful lemon cookies:
Preparation is Key:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the moment your cookies go in. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, ensuring your beautiful cookies slide off effortlessly.
Mixing the Irresistible Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. An electric hand mixer will achieve this quickly, but a sturdy spoon or spatula can also work with a bit more effort. This creaming process is vital for incorporating air, contributing to the cookies’ light texture.
Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and finely grated lemon zest to the creamed mixture. Mix until all these wet ingredients are thoroughly combined. The scent of fresh lemon zest will already start to fill your kitchen!
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda to ensure they are evenly distributed. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tougher cookies.
If you desire that classic bright yellow lemon cookie look, now is the time to add a few drops of yellow food coloring. Fold it in until the color is uniformly distributed. This step is purely aesthetic but truly makes the cookies pop when presented.
The Essential Chilling Period:
Cover the bowl containing your cookie dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for approximately one hour. This chilling step is fundamental for a few reasons: it allows the butter to firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, and it gives the flavors (especially the lemon) time to deepen and fully infuse the dough. For an even more intense lemon flavor, you can chill the dough for up to 2-3 hours.
Once the dough has sufficiently chilled, scoop out portions and roll them into uniform balls, each weighing about 1.8 ounces (approximately 50 grams). Consistency in size ensures even baking.
Baking to Perfection:
Arrange the cookie dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave enough space between each one for them to spread slightly as they bake. Overcrowding the sheets can lead to uneven baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. Look for cookies that are lightly golden at the edges but still soft in the center. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them.
After baking, remove the sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the cookies to set and firm up, preventing them from breaking when you move them.
Once partially cooled, use a spatula to carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before applying the glaze. This ensures the glaze sets beautifully and doesn’t melt into the warm cookies.
Creating and Applying the Tangy Glaze:
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the lemon glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice. Whisk them together using a fork or small whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and reaches a thick, yet pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more lemon juice; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
Once the cookies are completely cool, carefully drizzle the tangy lemon glaze over the top of each one. You can use a spoon for a rustic drizzle or dip the tops for a fuller coating. Allow the glaze ample time to firm up and set before serving. This will prevent any sticky situations and make them easier to handle and store. Arrange them on your favorite serving tray and prepare to enjoy a truly dreamy treat!
SOFT GLAZED LEMON COOKIES
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Ingredients
For the cookies-
- ½ cup butter at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- A few drops of yellow food coloring optional
For the glaze-
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
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Add the egg, vanilla, lemon juice and zest and beat to combine.
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Sift in the flour and add the baking soda, then fold everything together.
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Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and fold again (optional).
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Chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 1 hour.
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Take handfuls of the mixture and roll into balls (each should weigh approx. 50g/1.8oz). Place these on the baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading as they bake.
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Bake for 11-13 minutes.
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Leave the cookies on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes before using a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Make the lemon glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar and lemon juice.
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Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cooled cookies.
- Lemon cookies will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
How Long Do Soft Lemon Cookies Stay Fresh?
These delicious lemon cookies will maintain their optimal freshness for about 4 days when stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. To prevent the delicate lemon glaze from sticking or transferring between cookies, it’s best to store them in a single layer if your container is large enough. If you must stack them, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to protect the glaze and keep them looking their best.
Can You Freeze Glazed Lemon Cookies?
While you can freeze these delightful treats, it’s generally not recommended to freeze the cookies *after* they have been glazed. The moisture from freezing and thawing can cause the lemon icing to “sweat,” melt, or become sticky, creating an unsightly and potentially messy situation as the cookies return to room temperature. If you intend to freeze a batch of these soft lemon cookies, the best approach is to freeze them unglazed. Once thawed, you can then prepare and apply the fresh lemon glaze right before serving, ensuring the best possible texture and appearance. Unglazed, these cookies can last for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
Do Glazed Lemon Cookies Require Refrigeration?
No, these glazed lemon cookies do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. They are perfectly stable and delicious when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. In fact, refrigerating them can sometimes alter their soft, tender texture. However, if you personally prefer your cookies and glaze to be cool, or if you live in a very warm and humid climate, feel free to place them in the fridge. Ultimately, the storage method can align with your personal preference, as long as they are sealed in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
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Discover More Zesty Lemon Cookie Recipes!
If you’re a fan of the bright, refreshing taste of lemon, you’re in for a treat! We have a fantastic collection of other lemon-flavored cookie recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Explore these delightful variations to find your next favorite:
- LEMON OATMEAL COOKIES
- LEMON ZUCCHINI COOKIES
- LEMON THUMBPRINT COOKIES
- LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES
- LEMON SLICE & BAKE COOKIES
- DOUBLE LEMON COOKIES
- LEMON CREAM PIE COOKIES
- LEMON JELLO SUGAR COOKIES
- GLAZED LEMON COOKIES
- LEMON POPPYSEED COOKIES
- WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP LEMON COOKIES
- LEMON SUGAR COOKIE BARS
- FROSTED LEMON SUGAR COOKIES
This glazed soft lemon cookies recipe is truly a gem, a cherished classic that you’ll want to revisit for years to come. With its unparalleled tangy goodness and exquisite flavor in every bite, these cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a little burst of sunshine and pure happiness. We hope you savor every moment of making and enjoying them, as much as we do!
