Indulge your taste buds in the delightful world of these soft and zesty lemon cookies! Bursting with the tanginess of fresh lemon juice and the aromatic essence of lemon zest, these iced lemon cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion. The recipe seamlessly combines the simplicity of preparation with an explosion of lemon flavor, making them an irresistible choice for cookie lovers.

Why You Must Try This:

Effortlessly Simple: The cookie dough is a breeze to prepare, taking only around 15 minutes to mix. The accompanying lemon glaze is a cinch, requiring just a handful of readily available ingredients.

Summer Sensation: These cookies embody the essence of summer, making them the ideal companions for all your sunny get-togethers and picnics.

Lemon Extravaganza: Packed with real lemon juice and zest, both the cookie dough and icing deliver an intense burst of lemony goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Flour: Regular all-purpose flour ensures the cookies have the perfect texture and chewiness.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Salt

Egg

Vanilla Extract: Opt for real vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Granulated Sugar

Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is recommended for optimal flavor.

Lemon Zest: Enhances the cookies with an extra layer of lemon goodness.

Unsalted Butter: Ensure you use real unsalted butter for the best results.

How to Make Soft Lemon Cookies:

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a stand or hand mixer.

Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Ensure the mixture is well blended.

Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour mixture, being cautious not to overmix.

Portion and Bake: Use a cookie scoop to create 1 ½ inch balls of dough. Place them on prepared baking sheets, allowing space for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Cool and Ice: Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the lemon icing by combining powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and optionally, vanilla extract. Ice the cooled cookies using your preferred method.

Recipe Variations:

Add Lemon Extract: Intensify the lemon flavor by incorporating 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract into the cookie dough.

Opt for Orange Glaze: Switch things up by using orange juice for the glaze, creating a citrusy twist.

Include White Chocolate Chips: Elevate the flavor profile by stirring in 1 cup of white chocolate chips into the cookie dough.

Recipe FAQs:

How to Store Iced Lemon Cookies: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Flat Cookies Issue: Ensure your butter is at the right temperature, and avoid over-creaming to prevent flat cookies.

Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance, keeping it covered in the fridge. Allow it to sit at room temperature before scooping.

Crumbly Cookies Fix: If your cookies are crumbly, you may have added too much flour. Measure accurately and avoid packing it down.

Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour for your preferred gluten-free flour blend.

Doubling the Recipe: Easily double the recipe to have a batch ready for immediate enjoyment and another for freezing.