Description
Zesty lemon crinkle cookies bring sunshine to classic baking with their crackled exterior and tangy flavor. Powdered sugar coating and bright citrus notes make these cookies a delightful treat for home bakers eager to enjoy a refreshing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating:
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, airy, and slightly pale in color.
- Incorporate egg, fragrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, and smooth vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until harmoniously combined.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small, uniform 1-inch spheres, generously rolling each ball in a cloud of powdered sugar for a classic crinkle effect.
- Arrange cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for the signature cracked surface and set edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version that maintains the cookie’s soft, crumbly texture.
- Add a pinch of dried lavender to the powdered sugar coating for an elegant floral twist that complements the lemon flavor.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create more defined crinkle edges during baking.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest, most vibrant citrus flavor that makes these cookies truly special.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 105 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg