Description
Soft and chewy Lemon Crinkle Cookies with bright citrus flavor and a beautiful powdered sugar crackle. Perfect for spring and summer baking.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 to 8 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
1/4 cup granulated sugar for coating
3/4 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
1. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside
2. Beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy
3. Mix in egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and optional coloring until smooth
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
5. Cover and refrigerate dough for about 2 hours until firm enough to handle
6. Scoop dough and shape into small balls
7. Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then coat generously in powdered sugar
8. Place on lined baking sheets with space between each
9. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until set with crackled tops
10. Let cookies rest briefly on the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely
Notes
Avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft and tender
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor
Coating in both sugars creates the crinkled appearance
Chill dough to prevent stickiness and improve texture
Cookies firm up as they cool
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+2 hours chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg