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
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cookies.
- Create Butter Base: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, ensuring thorough incorporation of ingredients.
- 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.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to maintain a delicate cookie texture.
- Chill Dough: Wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding and ease of shaping.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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