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Iced Lemon Cookies

Our Iced Lemon Cookies are perfect for any occasion that calls for a delicious, light dessert and presents beautifully at bridal showers, Easter luncheons, garden parties, and birthdays. Made from a light cookie dough that is infused with fresh lemon zest, and drizzled with a delicate lemon glaze, these cookies are soft and fluffy with a bright burst of lemon in every bite.

This lemon cookie recipe also works perfectly as a crust for your favorite pies, cookie bar desserts, tarts and cheesecake recipes. We showcase this in our lemon cheesecake tarts, and our lemon cheesecake bars.

These soft iced lemon cookies are easy to make and share with family and friends. The recipe will yield roughly 36 cookies when made as directed, making it a fantastic picnic, potluck, or family dessert.

Glazed Lemon Cookies
Iced Lemon Cookies

What are iced lemon cookies made of?

Iced lemon cookies are light and fluffy with a sweet, bright flavor that says classic summer treat. Think of them as basically a lemon sugar cookie. They are very similar to the popular iced lemon amish sugar cookies The dough is simple, made from flour, coconut oil, eggs, sugar, a dash of vanilla extract, and obviously, fresh lemon zest.

They are drizzled with a lemon sugar icing that brings a delicious finish to the cookies, and elevates the aesthetics with a beautiful flair.

Can you use lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

Yes, of course! In our iced lemon cookies recipe we use fresh lemon zest, as well freshly squeezed lemon juice for a more natural flavor that is bright and rich, but not overpowering or too concentrated. We want this recipe to have a balanced flavor profile.

Lemon extract can definitely be used if you prefer, but the flavor will be different, and you will need to adjust the measurements a bit as extracts and concentrates are bolder than fresh squeezed citrus juices.

What makes cookies soft or chewy?

The texture of cookies is affected by multiple different factors including moisture content of the dough, temperature of the oven, and the type of ingredients you use. Flour, different types of sugars, and the number of eggs will all affect the texture of your iced lemon cookies. Let’s look at what exactly you need to do to make super soft and fluffy cookies.

Ingredients will affect flavor and moisture

The ingredients you use will not only add depth of flavor, they will affect the moisture content and rise of the cookies. Using softened butter will bring flavor and fat which helps to activate the leavening agents and slow gluten development, which helps keep cookies soft.

Low protein flours will yield softer cookies, so use a good quality all purpose flour, or a 1:1 blend of all purpose flour with light cake flour. The type of sugars as well as the amount of sugar used will change the moisture level. Brown sugar is higher in moisture and more likely to bake a chewy cookie, while granulated white sugar will lend itself to a light, fluffy texture.

Eggs are another important ingredient. The yolks add fat which helps slow the gluten development in flour, keeping the texture softer. Baking soda and baking powder are the main leavening agents in cookies, and they will bring lift and rise to your iced lemon cookies.

Baking temperature and time will affect the texture

Bake your cookies at a slightly higher temperature to lessen the amount of time the cookies are in the hot, dry air. This can help maintain the moisture, and prevent over baking which will result in firm, chewy cookies.

Another tip is to transfer your freshly baked cookies from the baking sheet as soon as they can be moved. Leaving the cookies on the baking sheet will continue to cook them and dry them out because the pan is still very hot. Move them to the cooling rack to stop the baking process and lock in the moisture.

Storing cookies properly will keep them soft and fresh

Always store your cookies in an airtight container on your counter. Keeping cookies in your fridge will dry them out because refrigerators remove moisture. Refrigeration will also dry out and crack the glaze of your iced lemon cookies.

For the best texture and softest cookies, always remember they should be eaten within 3 days. Any longer and you will notice a diminished flavor, as well as a tougher texture to your iced lemon cookies.

Lemon Cheesecake Tarts 2
Use this recipe for a lemon infused cookie crust

How can I serve and garnish iced lemon cookies?

Our recipe is an iced lemon cookies recipe that uses a simple sugar lemon icing that is drizzled over for a classic look. However, there are quite a few ways you can finish these cookies. Here are some other ideas for how you can garnish and serve these delicate lemony sugar cookies.

  • Top them with a dusting of powdered sugar and lemon peel twist
  • Instead of iced lemon cookies, dress them with a lemon buttercream
  • You can make a tangy lemon and cream cheese frosting
  • Zest fresh lemon over the top of the icing
  • Decorate with sprinkles to fit the theme of your event
  • Top with a simple vanilla frosting and drizzle with our fresh lemon curd

These lemon sugar cookies are delicious if you choose to enjoy them plain, but the lemon glaze really takes them up a notch. If you are looking for an Easter dessert or need a lemon cookie dessert this is a good choice.

The Lemon Icing

  • Mix it together with a fork in a bowl with a spout if you have one
  • Adjust the consistency of the icing to suit yourself
  • If you want to get fancy, put the icing in a decorator bag with a small tip and drizzle it on the cookies in artful designs
  • The icing will set up hard for you in about 15 minutes which makes it handy for stacking and storing in cookie jars
Glazed Lemon Cookies 1
Iced Lemon Cookies
Yield: 2 nine inch pie crusts or 36 cookies

Glazed Lemon Cookies

An easy lemon pie crust or delicious glazed lemon cookies. This recipe also makes a yummy ice cream sandwich or cookie bar dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 Cups sugar
  • 1 Cup softened coconut oil (or butter)
  • 2 Tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 Cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt

The Icing:

  • 1 Cup powdered Sugar
  • 2 Teaspoon lemon juice (more as necessary)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In a large mixing bowl,add coconut oil, sugar, lemon peel, eggs and vanilla. beat with an electric mixer on medium until pale and smooth.
  3. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt
  4. Add the dry ingredients slowly to the wet while mixing on low. Beat until combined and a cookie dough is formed.
  5. Use this dough as you wish. It makes great ice cream sandwiches, crust for desserts or follow the directions for the cookie directions below.
  6. Pinch off small sections of the dough and roll into one inch balls.
  7. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  8. Flatten the balls to 1/4 inch thick with a flat glass bottom dipped in sugar.
  9. Bake 9 to12 minutes until just golden brown on edges only.
  10. Remove to cooling rack

For the Icing:

  1. Mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice together with a fork (in a bowl with a spout if you have one).
  2. Adjust the consistency of the icing to suit yourself by adding another teaspoon of lemon juice if necessary.
  3. If you want to get fancy, put the icing in a decorator bag with a small tip and drizzle it on the cookies in artful designs.
  4. Or pour the icing on and spread it with a fork as pictured.
  5. The icing will set up hard for you in about 15 minutes. That makes it handy for plating and cookie jars.

Notes

to make this recipe into two 9 inch pie crusts:

Assemble the cookie dough ingredients as directed to step 5. Press in your oiled pie plate, cheesecake pan, baking dish or tart pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is a golden brown.

Nutrition Information

Yield

36

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 141Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 10mgSodium 39mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 0gSugar 11gProtein 1g

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Glazed Lemon Cookies-Pin Image
This lemon dessert recipe makes moist flavorful glazed lemon cookies. Looking for a lemon pie crusts recipe? Use this lemon pie crust cookie recipe for your favorite pies, cookie bar desserts, tarts and cheesecake recipes too.

deb

Monday 13th of November 2023

salt in the directions but not on the ingredient list

Diane

Monday 13th of November 2023

Hi Deb, Thank you so much for pointing this out. I have updated the recipe. Happy Holidays!

Tina Melton

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

My grandson and I made your iced lemon cookies today, Oh my.... They are absolutely scrumptious! A perfect tea cookie, The lemon icing tops it off nicely. Very tasty warm and even more tasty after sitting and the icing has harden, the cookies are soft and yummy! We all love them!! Thanks homemadefoodjunkie for sharing your recipe!

homemadefoodjunkie

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

Hi Tina, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a nice comment on our iced lemon cookies. We are delighted you loved them!Enjoy!

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