Description
These Valentine Lemon Sugar Cookies are tender, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. The zesty lemon flavor is balanced perfectly with a sugared coating, making them a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies. Decorate with heart shapes or festive sprinkles for a fun and festive Valentine’s Day treat!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Sugar Coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):
- For best results, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help prevent spreading during baking.
- Form the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and set them aside on a plate. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 tsp of lemon zest for the sugar coating.
- Roll each dough ball in the lemon sugar mixture to coat it lightly and then place it on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten the Cookies:
- Use the bottom of a glass or your fingers to gently press the dough balls into slightly flattened discs. You can also use a cookie cutter for heart shapes for a Valentine’s twist.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still be soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If you want a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice to the dough.
- These cookies are great for decorating! After they cool, you can top them with royal icing or sprinkles to match the Valentine’s theme.
- If you prefer a chewier cookie, reduce the baking time by a minute or two and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg