Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Do you love the zesty flavor of lemons but crave something sweet and comforting? Lemon crinkle cookies might be your new favorite treat. These cookies combine the bright, refreshing taste of lemon with a soft, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth.

Finding a dessert that balances tartness and sweetness can be challenging. Many lemon desserts lack the richness or texture you desire, leaving you unsatisfied.

That’s where lemon crinkle cookies shine. They offer a perfect harmony of tangy lemon zest and sugary goodness, wrapped in a soft, chewy cookie with a delightful crinkled surface. If you’re ready to elevate your baking game, this recipe will guide you through creating these irresistible cookies with ease.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these lemony delights:

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• Zest of 1-2 lemons (about 1 tablespoon of lemon zest)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice (juice of 1-1½ lemons)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 2⅓ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

For Rolling

• ¾ cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Sugar

1. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with the zest of 1-2 lemons. You should aim for about 1 tablespoon of zest.
2. Using your clean hands, gently work the lemon zest into the sugar. This process will help release the essential oils from the zest, infusing the sugar with a lovely lemon aroma. The sugar will turn a light pastel color, which is a sign that it’s well mixed.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

1. To the lemon-sugar mixture, add 2 room temperature eggs and ½ cup of melted, unsalted butter.
2. Stir in ¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if you’re using it. The lemon juice will give the cookies a delightful tang, while the vanilla adds a subtle layer of flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2⅓ cups of all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon of baking soda. This helps distribute the baking soda evenly, so you don’t get any unpleasant bites of baking soda.
2. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be gentle and use a spatula to combine the ingredients until just mixed. Overmixing can activate the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher cookie.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

1. The dough will be quite soft and sticky. For the best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Chilling the dough helps it firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a medium bowl, place about ¾ cup of powdered sugar for rolling the cookies.

Step 6: Shape and Roll Cookies

1. Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. If you don’t have a scoop, you can use heaping tablespoons.
2. Roll each portion into a ball and then roll it in the powdered sugar. For a classic crinkle look, roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice: once before baking and once after.
3. Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This will give them room to spread out as they bake.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. You’re looking for a crinkled appearance and just the slightest hint of golden color on the bottoms.
2. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Lemon Crinkle Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s crucial for achieving that perfect crinkle texture.
• Double Roll: For the most striking crinkle effect, roll your dough balls in powdered sugar twice. This gives the cookies their signature look.
• Freeze for Later: If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls rolled in powdered sugar. Just roll them again in powdered sugar before baking.

Conclusion

These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the refreshing taste of lemon with a soft, fudgy texture. They’re perfect for any occasion and make a great addition to your baking repertoire. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple to follow and yields delicious results.

Enjoy baking and savoring these tangy cookies! Let us know how they turn out in the comments or tag us in your photos on social media. Happy baking!