Soft & Chewy Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe | Easy Lemon Desserts with Fresh Lemons – Best Lemon Treats
One of our newfound favorites is the Lemon Crinkle Cookie. It’s a delightful addition to our collection of easy lemon desserts. These cookies are soft, chewy, and have this irresistible crinkled top that’s dusted with powdered sugar. The best part? They’re incredibly simple to make, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling homework, soccer practice, and, well, life.
If you have ever found yourself wondering about things to do with lemons or what to make with lemons, these cookies are a must-try. They’re a perfect example of lemon desserts with fresh lemons, bringing out that authentic citrus flavor that store-bought treats just can’t match.
So, if you are ready to add a new favorite to your repertoire of lemon dessert recipes easy, stay tuned. I’ll be sharing the step-by-step guide to making these delicious lemon desserts that are sure to brighten up any day.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Optional: 1 drop yellow food coloring
- For Rolling:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Set this aside; it’s your cookie’s foundation.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes. If you’re doing this by hand, consider it your arm workout for the day.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. If you’re aiming for that sunny yellow hue, add the food coloring now. Your kitchen should start smelling like a citrus grove.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing; we want tender cookies, not tough ones.
5. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for about an hour. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and enhances the flavors.
6. Preheat the Oven
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
7. Form and Coat the Cookies
Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough. Roll each into a ball, then generously coat with powdered sugar. This is what gives the cookies their signature crinkled appearance.
8. Bake
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
9. Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, pour yourself a cup of tea (or, let’s be real, reheat that coffee for the third time) and enjoy.
frequently asked questions
Can I substitute lemon extract in the recipe?
Yes, if you don’t have lemon extract, you can use additional lemon zest. This will still provide a pronounced lemon flavor, though it may be slightly less intense.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough before baking?
Chilling the dough is essential. It helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and enhances the flavor. Some recipes recommend chilling for at least 3 hours, while others suggest that it’s not necessary. However, chilling generally leads to better results.
Why didn’t my cookies develop the crinkle effect?
Several factors can affect the crinkle appearance:
Dough Temperature: If the dough is too warm, the cookies may spread too quickly, preventing the crinkle effect. Chilling the dough helps.
Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls first in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar can enhance the crinkle appearance
Leavening Agents: Ensure you’re using the correct amount of baking powder or baking soda. Too much can cause excessive puffing, affecting the crinkle.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough. After rolling it into balls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator, roll in sugars, and bake as directed.When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator, roll in sugars, and bake as directed.
How should I store baked Lemon Crinkle Cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They typically stay fresh for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them, but they may lose some of their softness.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and generously coat with powdered sugar.
- Place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Storage Tips
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezing Dough: Freeze dough balls, then thaw and bake as needed.
And there you have it—one of the best lemon desserts you can whip up without breaking a sweat. These Lemon Crinkle Cookies have quickly become a favorite in my house, and trust me, with three kids running around, I don’t have time for complicated baking. They check all the boxes: soft, chewy, and bursting with that fresh lemon flavor. Plus, they look fancy enough to pass off as a bakery treat (major mom win).
If you’ve been wondering what to make with lemons, this is it. Whether you need easy dessert recipes for a last-minute bake sale, summer lemon desserts for a backyard BBQ, or just something sweet to pair with your mid-afternoon coffee, these cookies are a solid choice. They’re also a great way to use up extra citrus—because honestly, how many times have you bought a bag of lemons with good intentions and then watched them slowly dry out in the fridge?
And if you’re on a lemon kick, there’s a whole world of delicious lemon desserts waiting for you. From lemon lush dessert to lemon sweets and even lemon recipes dinner (because why stop at dessert?), there are endless things to do with lemons. These cookies are just the beginning.
So go ahead, grab those lemons, get baking, and enjoy the zesty goodness. And if your kids eat half the batch before they’ve even cooled? Well, at least you know they’re a hit.
