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Fresh Lemon Glaze Cookies

Category: Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving

These airy lemon cookies are packed with fresh zest and have a light, tangy glaze. They’re buttery, refreshing, and great to enjoy anytime.

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Barbara Chef
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:08:13 GMT
Golden, sugar-dusted lemon cookies on a wooden table with a fresh lemon in view. Highlight
Golden, sugar-dusted lemon cookies on a wooden table with a fresh lemon in view. | cookwithcarla.com

These lemony treats burst with sunshine in every mouthful! I began baking them back when I needed something cheerful during a dreary winter, and they've become my favorite cookie to whip up throughout the seasons. The combo of their soft, cloud-like texture and zesty lemon sweetness brings a grin to everyone's face.

The Secret Behind Their Charm

What makes these stand out is their spot-on mix of sweetness and tang. The real lemon juice and grated peel pack these cookies with incredible flavor, while the tangy-sweet topping really makes them shine. I enjoy switching up how I decorate them each batch—sometimes going for easy dribbles, other times creating fancy patterns.

Your Ingredient List

  • All-purpose flour: Nothing fancy needed, standard flour does the trick.
  • Baking powder and soda: These give you that lovely fluffy outcome.
  • Salt: A tiny bit enhances all flavors.
  • Sugar: Plain white granulated for the cookie mix.
  • Butter: Go with unsalted to manage the saltiness yourself.
  • Fresh Lemons: You'll want both the peel and juice for full impact.
  • Vanilla: This creates a wonderful underlying flavor.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates that smooth, sweet coating on top.

Cookie-Making Steps

Prep Your Ingredients
Mix the dry stuff together in your bowl.
Whip It Good
Beat the sugar, butter and lemon zest until it looks airy and pale.
Pour In The Liquids
Stir in eggs, lemon juice and vanilla till you get a smooth mix.
Want A Pop Of Color?
Add a teensy bit of yellow food coloring for extra sunniness.
Patience Pays Off
Combine everything, then cool it in your fridge for about an hour.
Into The Oven
Shape into little balls and cook at 350°F until barely done, roughly 10 minutes.
Last But Not Least
Whip up your lemony topping and drizzle over cookies once they've cooled down.
A plate of freshly baked lemon cookies with a textured surface, garnished with a sprinkle of sugar, is set against a blurred natural background. Highlight
A plate of freshly baked lemon cookies with a textured surface, garnished with a sprinkle of sugar, is set against a blurred natural background. | cookwithcarla.com

Storage Smarts

Wait for the topping to harden completely before putting them away. I store mine in a sealed container and they remain yummy for several days. Stick them in your refrigerator to keep them tasty longer or tuck them in the freezer for a future sweet treat.

Prep Ahead Options

You can freeze the cookie mixture no problem—just wrap it up good and it'll stay fine for several months. When you're in the mood to bake, let it sit in the fridge overnight to soften. You might need to bake them a minute longer if the dough still feels cold.

Lemon Wisdom

Always go for actual lemons instead of pre-packaged juice for top-notch flavor. When grating the peel, watch out and only take the yellow outer layer since the white part tastes bitter. Try different topping consistencies—add more lemon juice to thin it out or extra sugar to thicken it up.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why chill dough before baking?

Chilling firms up dough so shaping is simple and cookies stay thick in the oven.

→ Is fresh lemon juice necessary?

Fresh juice and zest make the flavors pop. Bottled juice tastes dull and flat.

→ What should the glaze look like?

It should be smooth but slide off a spoon easily. Add sugar or juice if needed to get it right.

→ Why is soft butter better?

Soft butter blends evenly with sugar. That makes the cookies light and fluffy.

→ Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, but skip glazing before freezing. Glaze them fresh after defrosting for the best look.

Soft and Cakey Lemon

Fluffy cookies flavored with fresh lemon and a sugary glaze on top. Bright, zesty, and perfect for any moment.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 32 Servings (32 cookies)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 cups (283g) plain flour.
02 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
04 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
05 1 1/4 cups (250g) white sugar.
06 12 tablespoons (170g) softened unsalted butter.
07 1 1/2 tablespoons grated fresh lemon peel.
08 1 egg (large).
09 1 egg yolk (large).
10 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
11 1 teaspoon extract of vanilla.
12 1 1/4 cups (150g) powdered sugar (for icing).
13 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for icing).

Steps

Step 01

Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.

Step 02

Cream butter with sugar and lemon peel until it's light and airy.

Step 03

Blend the egg and the yolk.

Step 04

Pour in the lemon juice and vanilla, stirring well.

Step 05

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just mixed.

Step 06

Let the dough chill for 45-60 minutes before shaping.

Step 07

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 08

Scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, rolling into balls. Arrange 12 on a baking tray.

Step 09

Bake in the oven for 9 minutes.

Step 10

Let the cookies rest on the tray for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack.

Step 11

Stir the powdered sugar together with lemon juice to form icing.

Step 12

Spread or drizzle icing over cooled cookies, and allow it to solidify before storing.

Notes

  1. Flatten the dough balls before baking if you want thinner treats.
  2. For the best taste, stick with fresh lemon juice and zest.

Required Equipment

  • Cookie sheets.
  • Liner for baking sheets (parchment).
  • Mixer (electric type).
  • Rack for cooling.
  • Measuring tools (cups and spoons).

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Butter contains dairy.
  • Eggs are an ingredient.
  • Flour includes wheat.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 110
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Carbs: 18 g
  • Protein: 1 g