🍋 Soft & Buttery Lemon Cookies (Easy Homemade Recipe)

These soft and buttery lemon cookies are light, fresh, and packed with bright citrus flavor. With a tender texture and a hint of sweetness, they’re perfect for tea time, holidays, or whenever you crave something refreshing and homemade.

🧾 Ingredients for Lemon Cookies

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
• 1 tsp baking powder (4 g)
• ¼ tsp salt (1 g)

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)

Optional Coating (for Crinkle Effect)

• ½ cup powdered sugar (60 g)

👩‍🍳 How to Make Soft Lemon Cookies

1. Prepare the Dough

• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light, fluffy, and pale.
• Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
• Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
• Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes (this helps keep cookies soft and prevents spreading).

2. Shape the Cookies

• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Scoop dough into small balls.
• Optional: Roll dough balls in powdered sugar for a beautiful crinkle finish.

3. Bake

• Place cookies on a lined baking tray, spacing them slightly apart.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers remain soft.
• Avoid overbaking—cookies will firm up as they cool.

4. Cool & Serve

• Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

These cookies turn out soft, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor 🍋