Tender Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Homemade with Vanilla Glaze
Soft and tender lemon sugar cookies with a bright citrus flavor, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for a quick, comforting treat that feels homemade and special.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- Zest from 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For the vanilla glaze:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Scoop dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Optionally, roll dough lightly into balls.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly soft. Cookies will firm as they cool.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the vanilla glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle or spread the glaze over cooled cookies and let set for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use softened butter, not melted, to trap air for tender texture. Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid tough cookies. Fresh lemon zest is essential for bright flavor. If dough is sticky, chill for 15 minutes before shaping. Glaze consistency should be pourable but not runny.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 2
Keywords: lemon sugar cookies, vanilla glaze, tender cookies, homemade cookies, citrus cookies, easy cookie recipe