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Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 142 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Description

Lemon Crinkle Cookies are delightful, soft, and tangy treats with a beautiful crackled powdered sugar coating. These cookies combine the bright flavors of lemon juice and zest with a tender buttery dough, rolled in sugar for an irresistible texture and appearance. Perfect for spring gatherings, afternoon tea, or any time you crave a citrusy sweet bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5–8 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Coating

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar (aka icing sugar or confectioners sugar)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation into the wet ingredients.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together for a couple of minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is essential for the cookie’s tender texture.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and yellow food coloring if using. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer bowl. Mix until just combined, making sure not to overwork the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the dough to firm up and flavors to meld.
  5. Prepare to Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  6. Shape Dough: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out the chilled dough and roll into uniform balls. If the dough feels too soft, place it back in the fridge or freezer briefly to firm up. This helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents spreading during baking.
  7. Coat Dough Balls: Roll each dough ball first in the granulated sugar, then generously coat them in powdered sugar to create the signature crackled appearance once baked.
  8. Bake Cookies: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops have formed cracks. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • If using food coloring, 5-8 drops of yellow will give a vibrant lemon color but can be omitted if desired.
  • Refrigerating the dough is key to prevent excessive spreading and to develop flavors.
  • Rolling the dough balls in both granulated and powdered sugar ensures a sparkling crackle texture on top.
  • Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote easy cleanup.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Cookie
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon crinkle cookies, lemon cookies, crinkle cookies, citrus cookies, soft lemon cookies, lemon zest cookies

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/lemon-crinkle-cookies-recipe/