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Christmas Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 134 reviews

These Christmas Lemon Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, featuring bright lemon zest and juice for a fresh, citrusy flavor. Soft on the inside with slightly crisp edges, they are perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you want a sweet treat with a refreshing citrus note.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Optional

  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, fresh lemon juice, fresh lemon zest, and pure vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined and the dough is fragrant with citrus and vanilla.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
  6. Shape Dough Balls: For a crackled surface, pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Scoop a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, and gently roll it in the powdered sugar. If you prefer plain cookies, simply roll the dough into balls without powdered sugar.
  7. Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm to approximately ¼ inch thickness.
  8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn light golden and the centers are set but still soft.
  9. Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up to the perfect texture.

Notes

  • For a more pronounced lemon flavor, use freshly grated zest and fresh lemon juice rather than bottled lemon juice.
  • If you do not have powdered sugar for rolling, the cookies can be baked plain with a smooth surface.
  • Do not overbake the cookies; remove them when edges are just golden to maintain a soft center.
  • Room temperature ingredients (butter and egg) help achieve a smooth, well-incorporated dough.
  • These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Lemon sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, lemon zest, soft cookies, citrus cookies

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/christmas-lemon-sugar-cookies-recipe/