Description
These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are the perfect balance of tangy lemon flavor and sweetness, with a delightful chewy texture and powdered sugar coating. Their vibrant yellow color and zesty taste make them a refreshing treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice* (Note: Double the amount for a stronger lemon flavor. If you want a more intense lemon taste, consider adding lemon extract.)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest*
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5–8 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
For Rolling:
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined. If using, add the yellow food coloring and stir until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.
- Roll the cookies: In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup of sugar and the powdered sugar. Use a spoon or your hands to form small balls of dough (about 1-inch in diameter). Roll each ball in the sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a more intense lemon flavor, consider adding a few drops of lemon extract along with the lemon juice.
- To prevent over-spreading while baking, be mindful of the amount of lemon juice you use.
- You can adjust the amount of food coloring to make the cookies as vibrant as you like.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Lemon Cookies, Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Crinkle, Citrus, Chewy Cookies, Dessert, Lemon Zest