Soft lemon Cookies Recipe

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Indulge in the joy of baking with our soft lemon cookies recipe. These delightful treats are celebrated for their bright and zesty flavor, as lemon zest and juice infuse them with a tangy, refreshing citrus essence.

These lemon cookies are my new favorite! They’re soft in the middle, slightly crispy at the edges, and bursting with a delightful lemony flavor. I’ll be enjoying them all year round.

Here are some occasions you might choose to bake lemon cookies.

1. Everyday Treats: Lemon cookies are perfect for everyday snacking. Whether you want to enjoy a sweet and tangy treat with your afternoon tea or satisfy your dessert cravings, lemon cookies are a delightful choice.
2. Summer Gatherings: Lemon cookies have a refreshing citrus flavor that makes them ideal for summer gatherings. They are light and zesty, making them a great addition to picnics, barbecues, and outdoor parties.
3. Dessert Buffets: If you’re hosting a dessert buffet or a cookie exchange during the holidays, lemon cookies can provide a unique and tangy contrast to the other sweet offerings.
4. Tea Parties: Lemon cookies pair wonderfully with tea, making them a fitting choice for elegant tea parties. Their bright flavor complements the traditional tea experience.
5. Gifts and Care Packages: Homemade lemon cookies can be a thoughtful and cheerful gift. Whether you’re sending care packages to loved ones or bringing cookies to a friend in need of a pick-me-up, lemon cookies are sure to bring a smile.
6. Spring Celebrations: Lemon cookies are associated with the freshness of spring. They can be baked for Easter gatherings, Mother’s Day brunches, or any spring-themed event.
7. Bridal or Baby Showers: The light and zesty flavor of lemon cookies is a delightful addition to the menu at bridal showers, baby showers, or other special celebrations.
8. Dinner Parties: Lemon cookies can be a delightful finish to a dinner party. Their tangy sweetness provides a lovely contrast to savory dishes.
9. Gifts for Special Occasions: Consider baking lemon cookies as part of a homemade gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions. You can package them beautifully for an extra personal touch.
10. Backyard Barbecues: Lemon cookies can be an unexpected and delightful addition to a barbecue menu, offering a refreshing break from the richness of grilled foods.

Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 4 tablespoons of lemon juice (preferably fresh)
• 2  tablespoons of lemon zest
• 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• For dusting:
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

Instructions:

1. Combine dry ingredients: In the medium mixing bowl mic flour, cornstarch, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. 
3. Beat in egg, add lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. 
4. Gradually add flour mix. Dough should become thick, sticky but creamy
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
6. Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator.
7. Preheat the oven for 350 F. Line the baking sheet  with parchment paper. 
8. Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
9. Roll each ball in the confectioner’s sugar. Place them on a baking sheet  3 inches apart. 
10. Flatten the cookies by gently pressing down on each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingers. 
11. Bake for 11- 13 minutes until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.
12. Cool them for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer them to a cooling rack.

First, Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

Next, in a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the butter and granulated sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.

To creamy butter mixture, beat in an egg, followed by adding lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture, resulting in a thick, sticky yet creamy dough.

Using tablespoon-sized portions of the dough, shape them into balls.

Roll each ball in the confectioner’s sugar. Place them on a baking sheet  3 inches apart.

Here are some simple tips to improve your soft lemon cookies recipe:

• Use the fresh lemons.
• For the  cookies  to become tender, beat the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
• Chilling a dough helps cookies retain their shape during baking.
• The dough can stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To have a uniform cookie size use cookie scoop or measuring spoon to portion the dough
• Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Unbaked cookie dough can be freezed up to 3 months. When ready to bake, take them out of the freezer and thaw for about 30 minutes before baking. 

Taste of these soft lemon cookies:

The initial impression is a gentle crunch on the outside, revealing a soft and chewy interior. As you take a bite, you’ll experience a burst of bright and tangy lemon flavor that is both zesty and refreshing. The sweetness is balanced, not overwhelming, allowing the tartness of the lemon to shine through. The texture is soft and buttery, with a subtle hint of vanilla that rounds out the overall taste experience.

Equipment needed:

• Measuring cups and spoon
• Mixing bowls (medium and large size)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Grater or zester (for lemon zest)
• Spatula
• Baking sheet
• Cookie scoop or measuring spoon
• Cooling rack

Which cookies do you bake most frequently?

Feel free to share your favorite cookie recipes in the comments, and if you’ve ever given our lemon cookies recipe a try, please let us know how it turned out.

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