LEMON CRINKLE COOKIES

Lemon is such an underrated flavor. It can be so fresh tasting and works so well in lemon desserts and sweet dishes. This is why these lemon crinkle cookies are going to be a recipe you have to try. Perfect for spring as they just taste like sunshine and are the ideal cookie recipe to whip up when you fancy something sweet but have that tart flavor we all love that you can get from citrus.

This lemon cookie recipe is so easy to make and a great option when you want to have a batch of baked cookies on the counter for friends and family to enjoy. They aren’t too sweet, which can often be overpowering for some people. There is the perfect balance of sweetness and the use of simple ingredients means we think these easy lemon crinkle cookies are going to become a firm family favorite.

Why do we love these Lemon Crinkle Cookies?

While there is a little bit of time needed to get the best results the cookie dough does need time to chill, these cookies bake really quickly. In less than 15 minutes in fact. So it is perfect to prepare ahead of time. While the recipe has a lemon flavor theme I think it is a great option to make it your own. Lemon lovers will love it, but you can also add chocolate or decorate the cookies however you want. You could even make them into lemon bars if you wish.

Regular lemons are just fine to use here, but we also think that you can get away with adding just the lemon juice. The flavors are so great, the texture is soft and fluffy, and the cookies come together so quickly. There really isn’t much you cannot like about them.

Ingredients – What you need for the Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Dry Ingredients

Flour

When it comes to dry ingredients this is one of the staples you will find in most cookie recipes. Flour provides the base and structure for the cookie dough. We like to use all-purpose flour and you will need 2 cups. When measuring the flour use a spoon and sift it before adding it to your cookie mixture.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is such an important element to add to the flour mixture. It helps with the rising and the overall shape of the cookie. You only need 1/2 a tsp for this recipe.

Granulated sugar

White sugar is a great way to add sweetness to cookies. This will help to aerate the cookie dough when combined with the butter and also helps to give that puffy fluffy texture we love.

Salt

Because you are using unsalted butter this is where you can control the flavor. You will only need 1/4 teaspoon.

Powdered sugar

You need a little bit of powdered sugar for when you are rolling the dough into cookie dough balls.

Wet ingredients

Butter

For this recipe, you need 1/2 cup of butter that has been melted and allowed to cool before you begin baking these lemon cookies. Unsalted butter is best for this recipe so you can control the flavor.

Egg

One large egg and one egg yolk is all you need to help you get the cookie dough texture spot on! The egg yolk also helps with that chewy texture and golden color of the cookies.

Vanilla extract

You can’t go wrong with the vanilla flavor when it comes to these delicious cookies. You will need 1 tsp of vanilla for this lemon crinkle cookie recipe.

The flavor

Of course, they wouldn’t be lemon crinkle cookies without the lemon flavor. For this batch, you will need 2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. You will also need 3 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest, with a little extra to garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else can you use instead of fresh lemons?

If you are struggling to get hold of fresh lemons for this recipe then you could use a little lemon extract or lemon juice that you might already have in your pantry.

How do I store the lemon crinkle cookies?

Once the cookies have cooked you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter. They will keep at their best for 5-7 days. You can freeze these cookies if you wish. Freeze the cookie dough as it is or baked cookies. If they are baked then freeze them individually before adding them to a freezer bag.

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How to make the Lemon Crinkle Cookies

First of all, you will want to gather all of your ingredients together. Then in a large bowl whisk together the butter and sugar, making sure the melted butter has cooled before starting. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this.

Next up add in the egg and egg yolk then vanilla, lemon juice & zest. Make sure everything is combined.

In a separate medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt then add it to the wet mixture. You will want to ensure that everything is thoroughly combined.

Now the hard part, waiting. This cookie dough does need some chilling time. Pop it in the refrigerator for 204 hours.

Once your cookie dough has had time to chill, preheat the oven to 325F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop out the cookie dough, roll it into a ball then roll in powdered sugar. 

Place on the lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Once they are baked allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Then garnish with lemon zest, serve, and enjoy!

Take the lemon cookies to the next level

Lemon and chocolate work really well together so you could add some cocoa powder to make chocolate crinkle cookies. Or why not add some white chocolate chips to the cookie dough mix? Yummy!

You could have a complete citrus theme and add in other flavors like orange with a little juice and orange zest.

Drizzle some melted white chocolate over the top of the cookies for a sweet finish. Cream cheese frosting will also work well with these delicious chewy cookies.