🍋 Soft Lemon Sugar Cookies

Yield: ~36 small cookies • Prep: 15 min • Bake: 9–11 min

Introduction

These soft lemon sugar cookies are pillowy, buttery, and gently citrusy— the kind that bake up pale-golden with crinkly tops and a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Perfect with tea, coffee, or as a quick sweet bite.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) sour cream or plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For rolling (optional): 3 tbsp granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (2–3 min). Beat in egg, then lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and sour cream.
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet on low just until combined (do not overmix).
5. Scoop 1 tablespoon portions; roll into balls and (optionally) coat in sugar. Space 2 in / 5 cm apart on trays.
6. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look just set.
7. Cool 5 minutes on tray, then move to a rack to finish cooling. Cookies stay soft as they cool.

Methods

• Creaming method: Incorporates air for a lighter crumb.
• No-chill shortcut: Dough can be baked right away; chill 20–30 min for thicker cookies.
• Glazed version: Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp lemon juice; drizzle over cooled cookies.

History

Sugar cookies trace back to 18th-century American baking traditions, prized for their simple pantry ingredients. Lemon variations became popular for adding brightness and fragrance without heavy spices.

Benefits

• Fast, one-bowl dough; no chill required.
• Soft texture lasts for days thanks to sour cream.
• Easy to customize with citrus, vanilla, or almond.

Formation (Why so soft?)

Creaming butter with sugar traps air; baking powder/soda lift the dough. Sour cream adds moisture and limits gluten, creating tender, cake-like cookies.

Lovers

• Tea-time fans who enjoy delicate, not-too-sweet treats.
• Kids—soft bite and bright lemon flavor.
• Anyone who loves classic bakery-style sugar cookies.

Conclusion

Simple ingredients, minimal effort, and a soft lemony crumb—these cookies are the dependable, crowd-pleasing bake you’ll make again and again.