Sweet Glazed Lemon Cookies
- Perfectly balanced sweet glazed lemon cookies with a buttery, tender crumb and bright citrus flavor.
- The cookies feature fresh lemon zest and juice in both the dough and glaze for maximum flavor impact.
- An easy, elegant treat perfect for afternoon tea, gatherings, or whenever you need a burst of sunshine.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (from 2–3 medium lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and beat until fully incorporated, then mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low just until combined.
- Using a tablespoon measure, scoop dough and roll into balls, placing 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Gently flatten each ball to about 1/4-inch thickness with the bottom of a lightly floured glass.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just turning light golden while centers remain pale.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth to create the glaze.
- Drizzle or spread glaze over completely cooled cookies.
- Allow glaze to set for at least 1 hour before stacking or storing.
Notes
- For more intense lemon flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract to the dough.
- Meyer lemons can be substituted when in season for a sweeter, more aromatic flavor.
- Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Frozen cookie dough balls can be baked directly from frozen by adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 28
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 29
Keywords: sweet glazed lemon cookies, zesty lemon glaze, buttery lemon cookies, citrus sugar cookie, glazed shortbread treat