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Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 53 reviews

These Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies offer a delightful burst of tangy lemon flavor combined with a tender, chewy texture. Perfectly balanced sweetness and citrusy zest make these cookies an irresistible treat for lemon lovers and a refreshing twist on classic cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 2 tsp lemon extract (or 1 tsp each lemon and vanilla extract)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling and garnishing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Then, add the egg and egg yolk, beating well to combine.
  2. Add flavorings: Mix in the lemon zest, lemon extract, and lemon juice to infuse the dough with bright citrus flavor. Ensure everything is well incorporated.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
  4. Mix dry with wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps to firm up the dough for easier handling and to enhance the cookie texture.
  6. Form and coat cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Roll the balls in the ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat evenly, adding a slight crunch and sparkle to the cookies.
  7. Bake: Place the coated cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
  8. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps the cookies set into their soft, chewy texture.

Notes

  • For an extra lemony punch, add a touch more lemon zest or a few drops of lemon juice to the dough.
  • Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure proper creaming and mixing.
  • Don’t overbake; the cookies will firm up as they cool, so slightly underbaked centers yield the best chewiness.
  • You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: lemon cookies, soft lemon cookies, chewy lemon cookies, citrus cookies, lemon dessert, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/soft-and-chewy-lemon-cookies-recipe/