Soft & Zesty Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Zesty lemon crinkle cookies dance with bright, tangy flavors that make taste buds sing.

Powdered sugar coats each delicate morsel like a delightful winter landscape.

Soft and chewy textures promise pure baking bliss in every bite.

Crisp edges hint at the incredible journey awaiting you.

Citrusy notes bounce through this simple yet magical treat that feels like sunshine on a plate.

You will adore how effortlessly these cookies come together with minimal ingredients.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom with each sweet, crinkled cookie.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Add Zest To Classic Cookie Texture

• Quick Prep Magic: Whips up delightful lemon cookies in just 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy bakers craving something sweet.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Burst: Delivers zesty lemon notes that tantalize taste buds, making these cookies irresistible for both kids and adults at gatherings or casual snack times.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Requires simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, ensuring even novice bakers can create professional-looking crinkle cookies with minimal kitchen skills.
• Versatile Treat Option: Works wonderfully as a dessert for potlucks, afternoon tea, birthday parties, or a spontaneous weekend baking project with minimal equipment needed.

Inside Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Unsalted Butter: Soft and creamy base that provides rich flavor and tender texture; room temperature is key for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Sweeteners that add different textures and help create classic crinkle cookie appearance.

• Large Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
• Lemon Zest, Fresh Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy flavor that gives cookies a refreshing taste; use fresh lemons for best results.
• Vanilla Extract: Subtle background flavor that complements the lemon.

• All-Purpose Flour: Standard baking flour that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and create a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

Making Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Beat these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and smooth.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small, adorable 1-inch balls.

Then, give each ball a luxurious coating by rolling it in powdered sugar until completely covered.

Step 6: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set and the cookies develop those signature crinkly cracks.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

This helps them firm up.

Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The result?

Tangy, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth lemon crinkle cookies that’ll make everyone smile!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies That Show Off Expert Tips

• Add extra lemon zest or a splash of lemon extract for an intense citrus punch that brightens the entire cookie.
• Don't overbake the cookies – pull them out when edges are just set and centers look slightly underdone to maintain a tender, chewy consistency.
• Roll cookies in powdered sugar twice – once before baking and again after cooling – for a more dramatic crinkle effect and extra sweetness.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for regular flour and use dairy-free butter to make these cookies accessible for different dietary requirements.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep them soft and prevent them from drying out too quickly.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Save The Citrus Softness

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, maintaining freshness for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore softness and enhance lemon flavor.
• If cookies become slightly hard, add a slice of bread to the container overnight to help retain moisture and soften the texture.

What to Enjoy With Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Pair with Earl Grey Tea: The citrusy lemon notes in the cookies beautifully complement the bergamot flavor in Earl Grey, creating a delightful harmony of bright and subtle taste profiles.
• Match with Lavender Lemonade: A refreshing lavender lemonade offers a complementary floral and zesty drink that enhances the lemon cookie's vibrant citrus character.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the zesty, crinkly texture of the cookies, balancing their tangy sweetness.
• Enjoy with White Wine Spritzer: A light, crisp white wine spritzer with a hint of lemon brings out the cookie's citrus undertones while offering a sophisticated adult pairing.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Variants

• Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for proper texture and binding.
• Vegan Lemon Crinkle Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and select a plant-based powdered sugar for coating.
• Almond Lemon Cookies: Add ground almonds to the flour mixture and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Low-Sugar Lemon Cookies: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and reduce the powdered sugar coating to minimize overall sugar content.

FAQs

• Why do I need to roll the cookie dough in powdered sugar?

The powdered sugar creates the signature crinkle effect and gives the cookies a beautiful cracked appearance when baked. It also adds a sweet, delicate coating that enhances the cookie’s texture and visual appeal.

• Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon?

While fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Just ensure it’s 100% pure lemon juice without added preservatives or sweeteners that might alter the cookie’s taste.

• How do I know when the lemon crinkle cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly set edges and a cracked surface. The cookies should appear soft and slightly underbaked in the center, as they’ll continue to firm up while cooling on the baking sheet.

• What makes these cookies have such a light texture?

The combination of creaming butter and sugar, plus the careful balance of baking powder and baking soda, helps create a soft, tender cookie with a delicate crumb and perfect light texture.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Lemon crinkle cookies dance with zesty charm, promising a delightful blend of tangy brightness and sweet comfort. Home bakers will love these irresistible treats that bring sunshine to your dessert plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Lemon Flavoring:

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Transform butter and sugar into a voluminous, airy mixture through vigorous creaming until the texture becomes light and pillowy.
3. Infuse the base with vibrant citrus essence by incorporating egg, fragrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, and aromatic vanilla extract, mixing until harmoniously blended.
4. Create a delicate dry foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate vessel, then gradually integrate this powdery mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
5. Craft uniform cookie spheres by rolling the dough into compact 1-inch rounds, then generously coat each ball in a snowy layer of powdered sugar for a classic crinkle effect.
6. Arrange the sugar-dusted dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them with ample spacing to allow for graceful expansion during baking.
7. Bake the cookies until their edges solidify and distinctive cracked patterns emerge, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of oven time.
8. Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest and stabilize on the baking sheet for a brief 5-minute interval before transferring to a wire cooling rack, ensuring a perfect texture and easy removal.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth creaming, which helps create a light, fluffy cookie texture.
• Use fresh lemon zest and juice for maximum bright, citrusy flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
• Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar to achieve the classic crinkle look and add a delightful sweet coating.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 125
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg