Sweet & Zesty Glazed Lemon Cookies Recipe for Sunny Treats

Soft, buttery cookies with a zesty lemon glaze promise to brighten any dessert table.

These delightful glazed lemon cookies burst with citrusy charm and irresistible sweetness.

Tangy and delicate, the recipe combines simple ingredients for maximum flavor.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender cookie and sparkling lemon glaze.

The delicate crumb melts in your mouth, leaving behind a refreshing citrus essence.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these sunshine-packed treats in no time.

Serve these cookies at brunch, afternoon tea, or as a sweet ending to any meal—they’re sure to spread instant joy.

Steps To Bake Glazed Lemon Cookies

• Lemon Cookie Foundations

Craft a delightful base by blending soft butter with sweet sugar until airy and light. Gently incorporate eggs, creating a smooth mixture that hints at sunshine. Sprinkle in fresh lemon zest and a splash of bright citrus juice to awaken the senses.

• Dough Relaxation

Wrap the dough in plastic and let it chill in the refrigerator. This resting period allows the flavors to mingle and makes the dough easier to handle, transforming it into a dream to work with.

• Cookie Transformation

Warm the oven to a cozy temperature. Gently shape dough into delicate rounds, placing them with care on a lined baking sheet. Bake until the edges turn golden and the centers remain tenderly soft, creating a perfect balance of textures.

• Zesty Glaze Magic

Whisk together powdered sugar with a burst of lemon juice, creating a silky smooth coating that will dance across the cooled cookies. The glaze should have just enough flow to drape elegantly over each sweet treat.

• Final Touch

Once the cookies have completely cooled, generously drizzle the lemon glaze, allowing it to cascade and set. These little rays of lemony joy are now ready to brighten any moment with their delicate flavor and sunny disposition.

Tips For Glazed Lemon Cookies That Shine

• Perfect Baking Tricks for Lemon Cookies
• Zest Mastery: Use fresh, bright lemons with vibrant yellow skin for maximum flavor punch. Grate only the top yellow layer to avoid bitter white pith underneath.
• Dough Chilling Secret: Refrigerate dough for up to 24 hours to develop deeper lemon notes and prevent cookie spreading during baking. Cold dough ensures perfectly shaped cookies.
• Glaze Consistency Control: Add powdered sugar gradually to achieve smooth, drizzle-ready glaze. If too thick, thin with tiny drops of lemon juice; if too runny, sprinkle more powdered sugar.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for similar texture. Almond flour works beautifully for low-carb version.
• Storage Wisdom: Store glazed cookies in single layers between parchment paper. These treats stay fresh for 3-4 days in airtight container at room temperature, maintaining crisp edges and bright lemon flavor.

Serving Glazed Lemon Cookies The Fun Way

• Zesty Party Platter: Arrange glazed lemon cookies on a beautiful ceramic platter with fresh mint leaves scattered around for a pop of color and refreshing contrast.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these bright cookies alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or chamomile for a delightful midday treat that elevates your tea experience.
• Dessert Buffet Star: Create a stunning dessert display by stacking cookies in a pyramid, dusting with extra powdered sugar, and adding small lemon wedges as elegant garnish.
• Summer Picnic Delight: Pack these cookies in a cute vintage tin for outdoor gatherings, pairing perfectly with light fruit salads or as a sweet ending to a picnic spread.

Keep Glazed Lemon Cookies Tasty Longer

• Cookie Batch Brilliance: Prepare multiple batches and freeze raw dough balls for quick future baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Smart Storage Solution: Keep glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking, maintaining freshness for 3-4 days.
• Fridge-Friendly Tip: Refrigerate unglazed cookies in sealed containers for up to a week. Add glaze just before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Flavor Boost Strategy: Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent soggy bottoms and ensure crisp, clean glaze application. Room temperature is ideal for serving and maximum taste enjoyment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 175 kcal

Servings: 23

Ingredients For Glazed Lemon Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and subtle sweetness to the cookie base, choosing unbleached flour ensures better texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture, ensuring cookies rise beautifully during baking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender cookie texture, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies achieve golden edges, fresh sugar ensures best results.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to soft, chewy cookie consistency.
• Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, intense citrus aroma and delivers concentrated lemon essence.
• Lemon Juice: Provides tangy freshness and helps activate baking powder.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor complexity and adds subtle depth.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy coating with perfect drizzling consistency.
• Additional Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Reinforces citrusy brightness and complements cookie's base flavor.

Tools To Use For Glazed Lemon Cookies

• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients.
• Large bowl: Needed for mixing wet ingredients and combining everything.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating the glaze.
• Baking sheets: Required for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the lemon glaze.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.

Tangy Lemon Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade glazed lemon cookies deliver a zesty punch of citrus flavor with delicate sweetness. Crisp edges and tender centers make these treats perfect for afternoon tea or casual dessert gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 cups (592 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
• 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cookies.
2. Create Butter Base: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, ensuring thorough incorporation of ingredients.
3. Incorporate Wet Components: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to infuse citrusy brightness.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to maintain a delicate cookie texture.
5. Chill Dough: Wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding and ease of shaping.
6. Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Shape and Bake: Form tablespoon-sized dough balls, spacing them evenly on prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and centers remain soft.
8. Cool and Finish: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest to create a smooth glaze.
9. Glaze Cookies: Once completely cooled, drizzle or spread the citrusy glaze over cookies, allowing it to set before serving.

Notes

• Zest Precision: Use fresh, organic lemons for maximum flavor impact, carefully avoiding the bitter white pith when zesting.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerating dough helps prevent spreading and intensifies the cookie’s texture, preventing flat, thin results.
• Mixing Mastery: Stop mixing dry ingredients the moment they integrate to maintain a tender, delicate cookie crumb without developing tough gluten.
• Glaze Consistency: Adjust powdered sugar and lemon juice ratios gradually, creating a glaze that’s thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle smoothly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg