Description
These Zesty Lemon-Filled Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Perfectly balanced with a tangy lemon glaze, they make a delightful treat for any occasion. This easy-to-make recipe combines a buttery cookie base with vibrant lemon zest and juice, offering a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to incorporate later with the wet ingredients.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter with the sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This step is essential for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until everything is well combined, creating a fragrant and flavorful base.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating the cookies are set but still soft inside. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack completely.
- Glaze and Serve: Whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice to create the glaze. Drizzle this zesty glaze over each cooled cookie. Serve and enjoy the bright lemon flavor with every bite.
Notes
- You can adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding more lemon juice or powdered sugar to get your preferred consistency.
- For extra lemon flavor, sprinkle additional lemon zest on top of the glaze after drizzling.
- Make sure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming and better cookie texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
