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5.0 from 54 votes

Get the Recipe Soft Lemon Sugar Cookies

These super soft lemon sugar cookies have the best light and fluffy sugar cookie texture with a subtle brightness from fresh lemon zest and juice. They are easy to make - with no rolling or cutting required. Enjoy them as they are, or top them with lemon buttercream frosting for an extra special treat!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
53 mins
Servings: 25 cookies
Calories: 102 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon lemon zest 2 lemons
  • ½ cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
Lemon Buttercream Frosting (optional)
  • 1/2 /2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1/2 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 /2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • Pinch Pinch fine salt as needed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl (or your mixing bowl) rub together granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons lemon zest until a sand-like mixture forms. This releases the oil in the zest to infuse the lemon flavor throughout.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the lemon zest and sugar, powdered sugar, and butter. Cream together butter and sugars until pale in color and fully combined (like a paste). Add oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon juice, mixing until combined.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix the combined dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
  4. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape; if the dough isn't too warm, you can bake them right away if you don't mind a little extra spread/thinner cookies, although the chill is recommended.
  5. 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Pour a small amount of granulated sugar into a small bowl for later.
  6. Dollop a scoop (#40 scoop) or 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Dampen a flat-bottomed glass with water, then dip in a small bowl of granulated sugar. Gently press each cookie dough ball with the bottom of the glass approximately halfway down, about 1/2 inch thick. Dip the glass back in the sugar between each cookie to recoat.
  7. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are just beginning to barely turn golden brown around the edges. See notes about baking sheet type.
  8. Let the cookies cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet until set up enough to transfer to a cooling rack. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  9. Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add juice and vanilla extract to combine. Rub the zest with the powdered sugar for additional flavor (optional) then, in 1/2 cup increments, add the sugar to the butter, beating between each addition until smooth. Continue working until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Spread on cooled cookies.

Notes

  • Nutrition facts are estimates and based on an unfrosted cookie. 
  • Lemon Extract: replace half of the lemon juice with lemon extract for an even brighter lemon flavor.
  • Baking Sheet: A light-colored (aluminum) sheet pan will require more cooking time than a darker-colored sheet pan. If using a darker-colored baking sheet, you will likely want to only bake the cookies for 7 minutes - no longer.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 102kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 49mg (2%) Potassium 27mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 123IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 4mg (0%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 25cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 102

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 102kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 49mg 2%
Potassium 27mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 123IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.