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Lemon crinkle cookies
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Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy cookies packed with fresh lemon flavor and finished with a signature powdered sugar crinkle coating. The dough is made with simple pantry ingredients, chilled for better texture, then baked until lightly golden with crackled tops. Each bite has a refreshing citrus taste balanced with sweetness, making these cookies light, bright, and perfect for everyday baking or sharing.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 54 minutes
Servings: 30
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Lemon Cookie Dough
  • 2 cups 260g all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup 207g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest from 2–3 lemons
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coating
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 cup 115g powdered sugar (sifted)

Method
 

  1. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix melted butter and sugar, then add egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. Chill dough for 3–4 hours or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Scoop dough into small balls, roll first in granulated sugar, then generously coat in powdered sugar.
  3. Place cookies on a lined baking tray and bake for 9–13 minutes until cracks appear and centers look slightly soft.
  4. Let cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

These Lemon Crinkle Cookies taste best when the dough is properly chilled because it helps control spreading and gives that classic crinkled top. Don’t skip the chilling step  it’s the main reason the cookies hold their shape and bake evenly.
Also, always use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor. The cookies may look slightly soft when you take them out of the oven, but they will continue to set as they cool, so avoid overbaking.
For the best crinkle effect, roll the dough generously in powdered sugar just before baking so the white coating stays visible after baking.