Lemon Frosted Cookies (Printable Version)

Soft buttery lemon cookies topped with tangy citrus glaze for a refreshing sweet treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookies

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Lemon Frosting

11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
14 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
06 - Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
08 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and melted butter until smooth and spreadable.
10 - Frost tops of cooled cookies with lemon frosting. Let set for 15 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The frosting creates this perfect tangy sweet contrast that wakes up your whole palate
  • These cookies stay incredibly soft for days thanks to all that butter
02 -
  • Room temperature butter is non negotiable here, cold butter creates strange flat cookies
  • Letting the cookies cool completely before frosting prevents the glaze from melting right off
03 -
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen runs warm, this prevents spreading
  • Add a drop of yellow food coloring to the frosting for that classic lemon look