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These glazed lemon cookies are perfect for spring with their bright citrus flavor! The soft cookies are simple to prepare and the lemon glaze on top is oh so good!
I’m not usually a huge fan of citrus desserts. I’ll almost always reach for chocolate. Like, say some salted caramel brownies. Lately, though, I’ve been craving lemon.
It adds so much flavor to everything it touches and I’ve been loving it!
Curious to know if you like lemon desserts too?
These glazed lemon cookies were a huge hit with my son. He’s always loved lemon desserts, but I think these are a new favorite for him.
I think it’s the simple lemon glaze that really puts these into ‘favorite’ status!
If you love lemon desserts try my lemon bars or this super easy lemon blueberry dump cake!
♥ What We Love About This Recipe:
- Lemon Flavor: There is a lot of fresh citrusy lemon flavor in these cookies! I’m using freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest in both the cookie dough and the glaze!
- Glaze: Did I mention that glaze? It’s so good, and so simple! Just some powdered sugar and heavy cream mixed with the lemon juice & zest. It’s ready in no time and you can use it on other cookies and desserts too!
Lemon Cookie Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients – Some standard cookie dough ingredients including powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt.
Butter – Start with room temperature butter for easy mixing!
Lemon – I’m adding freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest to the dough to get all that lemon flavor into these lemon cookies!
Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
Heavy Cream – This will make for a rich, creamy sweet glaze perfect for topping the lemon cookies.
Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar, also called confectioners’ sugar, melts beautifully into glazes without leaving a gritty texture.
Lemon – You’ll need more freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest to mix in with the glaze to get ultimate lemon flavor in these cookies!
Citrus Juicer
Freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice is useful in lots of recipes, and this tool makes it easy and mess free.
How To:
Cookie Dough: We’ll start by whipping up a simple cookie dough and then adding in some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to give it a kick.
This lemon cookie recipe is super simple – butter, powdered sugar, flour, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Just mix it all together with a hand or stand mixer and then scoop into small balls and lightly flatten them.
Bake: Don’t you just want to pinch off a piece of that dough and devour??
These bake up in less than 15 minutes and then you’ll just let them cool.
How To Make Lemon Glaze:
Whisk: For the glaze, you’ll whisk together powdered sugar, cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Glaze: Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the tops of the lemon cookies. The glaze sets fairly quickly and then these cookies are ready to devour!
I love how soft this lemon cookie recipe bakes up. I’m not a big fan of crunchy cookies and these are perfect – thick and soft with a delightful glaze.
Freezing & Storage Instructions:
These glazed lemon cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 days. They may last a few days longer in the fridge!
The cookies can also be frozen for up to a few months. Let them cool completely before placing in the freezer on a baking sheet for an hour. You can then transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container.
Let them thaw at room temperature and then dig in.
FAQ’s:
You can prepare the lemon cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate for up to a couple of days before baking. It can also be frozen for up to a month or two. I’d wait to make the glaze until after baking!
These cookies are mostly just your standard cookie dough ingredients along with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest. They’re sweet and citrusy!
We start with a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and heavy cream and mix in some more freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest. Lemon glaze on lemon cookies is double the lemon flavor!
More cookie REcipes!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies: One of the easiest recipes and they always come out perfect!
- Butter Cookies: We make these cut out cookies in place of traditional sugar cookies.
- Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies: I’m not kidding when I say they’re perfect!
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies: Super soft and chewy!
- Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies: With toasted pecans!
Glazed Lemon Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
For the cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the butter and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and beat until smooth using a mixer.
- Add the flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out balls of cookie dough. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly flatten the cookies with your hands.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are just golden brown around the edges.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the glaze
- Add all of the ingredients for the glaze to a small mixing bowl and whisk well until smooth.
- Spoon the glaze evenly over the cooled cookies.
- Let set for 15 minutes or until the glaze has firmed up.
- Store tightly covered for up to 5 days.
Joanne Buragina says
This recipe sounds amazing. Can these be made in advance and frozen?
Karly says
Hi Joanne! I think these would freeze fine, though I’ve never tried it.
Gita says
I’d always want to be update on new blog posts on this website,
saved to favorites!
Ash says
Ah, I have resolved the issue. They taste amazing!!
Alisa says
would this work as a cookie bar? with the glaze on top?
Karly says
Hmm, I haven’t tried these as a bar, but I think it would work. Not sure what size pan you’d need or how long to bake though.
Alisa says
Thanks! If I try it, I’ll let you know how it goes … looks delish!
Hannah@butterloveandcowboys.com says
ooooooh yum! I’m usually more apt to reach for chocolate too, but this time of year I do love a few lemon desserts in the mix. These sound perfect!
Chels says
Lemon is one of my favorite flavors! These cookies are so perfect for spring! I need them!
Maggie Martin says
Being a certified Chocoholic, I agree, ALWAYS take the chocolate. However, I get the Lemon Crave too and my daughter and I like SOUR lemon, these will be wonderful! Like YOU Karly.
Thanks,
Maggie
RICHARD COWAN says
DEAR CARLY I’M A DIABETIC NO SUGAR ON OR IN FOODS PLUS I DON’T LIKE LEMONS,OR LIMES OR GRAPEFRUITS BUT THANKS 4 THINKING OF ME.
Common Sense says
Given the information you posted, why would you look at a lemon cookie recipe? Then make these ridiculous comments?
Bob says
Approximately how many cookies does this make?
Looks awesome, can’t wait to make some.
Karly says
With a medium cookie scoop, it’ll make around 28-30 cookies. 🙂
Lily Ernst says
I’m a huge fan of lemon., especially this time of year. The frosting takes these cookies over the top!