Introducing these delightful Iced Lemon Cookies, a perfect blend of soft interiors with slightly chewy, crispy edges, crowned with a light, four-ingredient lemon glaze. Ideal for spring and summer occasions like Easter, barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or baby showers, these treats are a must-have at any summer gathering, alongside Orange Meringue Cookies and Snickerdoodle Cookies.
For all the lemon enthusiasts out there, these cookies offer a burst of fresh lemon flavor. Family-friendly and easy to whip up, you can prepare the cookie dough up to five days in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Alternatively, freeze the dough for up to three months for a convenient supply of fresh cookies whenever needed, whether for after-school snacks or unexpected visitors.
Wondering how to create these Lemon Cookies? Begin by whisking together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Scoop the dough onto parchment-covered baking sheets and bake for around 10 minutes. Once cooled, top them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and milk.
Here are some essential tips for perfecting your Lemon Cookies:
- Preheat the oven and use parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Place cookies on the middle rack for even baking.
- Leave space between cookies as they spread during baking.
- Conduct a test run with the first batch to adjust baking time if needed.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for optimal flavor.
- Ice the cookies on the same day for a softer texture.
- Adjust the icing thickness by adding lemon juice or powdered sugar accordingly.
Freezing the cookie dough is a breeze. Either freeze the entire batch wrapped in plastic wrap or, for smaller portions, flash freeze individual scoops on baking sheets before transferring them to freezer bags.
In conclusion, these soft Lemon Cookies with a tangy lemon icing are a delightful addition to any spring day. With a prep time of 25 minutes and a total time of 35 minutes, this recipe yields approximately 20 cookies. So, whether you’re planning a summer shindig or a casual get-together, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients:
Lemon Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Icing:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking sheets.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy using a stand or hand mixer on medium. Turn the mixer to low. Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract; mix just until incorporated.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts. Mix on low just until incorporated. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, place dough on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned on the edges. Cool on cookie cooling racks.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, milk, and lemon zest. Ice fully cooled cookies and place them on cookie cooling racks to set.
Notes:
- Follow essential tips for perfecting Lemon Cookies.
- Freeze the dough for convenient future use.
Nutrition Facts:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Serves: 20
- Calories: 172
- Total Fat: 5g (6%)
- Cholesterol: 21.5mg (7%)
- Sodium: 95.1mg (4%)
- Total Carbohydrate: 30.3g (11%)
- Sugars: 19g
- Protein: 1.9g (4%)
- Vitamin A: 5%
- Vitamin C: 3%
Enjoy the fresh and zesty goodness of these Lemon Cookies at your next gathering!
image source : small town woman
