Lemon Cookies

5 stars (1 rating)

This easy lemon cookies recipe bakes up soft, chewy, and so lemony! Iced with a scrumptious lemon buttercream frosting. A real favorite!

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: lemon cookie, lemon cookie recipe, lemon cookie recipes, lemon cookies, lemon cookies recipe, lemon sugar cookies

Servings: cookies (approximately)

Calories: 171kcal

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium-high speed until very pale and fluffy (approx. 3 to 5 minutes).
Add the egg, and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated (about 1 to 2 minutes).
Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon juice on medium speed until combined (about 2 to 3 minutes).
Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula, then add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. Break up any clumps of zest using a fork or clean hands.
Stir together on low speed until incorporated (about 1 to 2 minutes).
Use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop balls of cookie dough on the prepared baking sheets, allowing two inches in between for spreading.
Flatten the balls slightly with the palm of your hand.
Bake the cookies (one sheet at a time) in the center rack of the oven until the edges are set and just barely beginning to turn golden (approx. 8 to 12 minutes).*
Cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack.
Using a small spatula or butter knife, spread frosting on top of each cookie.

While the cookies are baking, prepare the frosting. Beat together the butter, sugar, zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy.
Taste for sweetness and tartness. If a thinner consistency is desired, add either 1-2 more tablespoons of lemon juice (for a stronger lemon flavor) or 1-2 tablespoons of milk.

*Take care not to over-bake, or the cookies will not be as soft.