Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe
These Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies offer a delightful blend of tangy lemon flavor and a tender, chewy texture. Perfectly balanced with lemon zest, juice, and extract, these cookies are rolled in sugar for a sweet, slightly crunchy finish. Ideal for those craving a refreshing citrus treat with the comforting softness of a classic cookie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 tsp lemon extract (or 1 tsp each lemon and vanilla extract)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
For Rolling and Garnishing
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the lemon zest and mix until combined. Beat in the egg and egg yolk one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in the lemon extract or the combination of lemon and vanilla extracts.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Finally, fold in the lemon juice to infuse the dough with additional citrus flavor.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and ensuring better cookie texture during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the chilled dough into balls. Roll each ball in the reserved ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat evenly. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, maintaining their chewy texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once cooled or store in an airtight container for up to a week to preserve softness.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to the sugar used for rolling the cookies.
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overbake; removing the cookies while centers look slightly soft ensures chewy texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
- If lemon extract is unavailable, substitute with fresh lemon zest and an extra teaspoon of lemon juice, adjusting liquids accordingly.
Keywords: lemon cookies, soft lemon cookies, chewy lemon cookies, citrus cookies, homemade cookies
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/soft-and-chewy-lemon-cookies-recipe/