Zesty Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies bursting with fresh lemon zest and juice, featuring a signature crinkle top and a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar, for rolling
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.
- Roll the dough into 1 ½-inch (about 4 cm) balls and coat each generously in powdered sugar.
- Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies are set but still soft in the center, with signature crinkles on top.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use room-temperature eggs and softened butter for best texture. Chill dough at least 30 minutes for signature crinkles. Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar. Rotate pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots. Let cookies cool on baking sheet before transferring to avoid breakage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: lemon cookies, crinkle cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, lemon zest, easy cookies, homemade cookies, lemon dessert