Why Make This Recipe
Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a delightful treat that bring a burst of citrus flavor to your dessert table. They are soft, chewy, and have a beautiful crinkled appearance that makes them look as good as they taste. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to make and will surely impress your family and friends. Plus, the refreshing lemon taste makes them ideal for spring or summer gatherings!
How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice*
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest*
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5-8 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (aka icing sugar or confectioners sugar)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy, which should take a couple of minutes.
- Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using) to the mixing bowl and mix until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and mix until everything is incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to set for 2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop out the dough using a small-sized cookie scoop to get uniform sizes, and roll the dough into balls. Note: The dough should be scoopable but a bit stiff. If it feels too soft, put it back in the fridge or freezer for a bit.
- Roll the dough balls first in regular sugar and then in powdered sugar, coating them generously. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, keeping them 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies on a platter at your next gathering or with a cup of tea or coffee. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. These cookies are great as a sweet dessert or can be packed in lunch boxes for a tasty treat during the day.
How to Store Lemon Crinkle Cookies
To keep your Lemon Crinkle Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay good for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can also freeze them. Just pack them in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.
Tips to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. It helps create the fluffy texture.
- Chill the dough! This step prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Don’t skip the powdered sugar coating; it gives the cookies their crinkled look and adds a delicious sweetness.
Variation
You can add nuts or chocolate chips to the dough for a different flavor twist. For a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding more lemon zest.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Yes, bottled lemon juice works, but fresh lemon juice and zest give a brighter, fresher flavor.What if I don’t have yellow food coloring?
The food coloring is optional. Your cookies will still taste great without it, and they will look more rustic!Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough and leave it in the fridge for up to 3 days before baking. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping and baking.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Total Time: 132 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful soft and chewy cookies with a burst of citrus flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5–8 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
- 1/4 cup sugar (for rolling)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using) to the mixing bowl and mix until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and mix until everything is incorporated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop out the dough using a cookie scoop, roll into balls, and coat with both regular sugar and powdered sugar.
- Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, then cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 120 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cookies, lemon, dessert, sweet treats, baked goods