Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies – No Chill, No Fuss, All Flavor

Jump to Recipe

Summer practically screams lemon, and these cookies deliver in every way. Bursting with bright citrus flavor, they're zesty, irresistibly soft, and incredibly easy to make, almost melting in your mouth with each bite. If you're looking for a quick, no-fuss recipe that tastes like sunshine, this one’s for you!

Lately, it feels like the rain just won’t let up. With the skies stuck on gray, I found myself craving a little burst of sunshine, especially since it's only July! Enter: these lemon sugar cookies. They w

ere the perfect pick-me-up. Not only are they bright with a lemon kick, but they’re incredibly easy to make. Cleanup is a breeze too, just one bowl and no mixer required.

And the best part? No chill time needed. Just roll the dough into balls, pop them in the oven, and voilà, perfect cookies that hold their shape without turning into a gooey mess. Let’s jump into the recipe!

What You’ll Need:

• Flour:  Like most cookie recipes, flour is the foundation here and I used good old all-purpose flour. I recommend sticking with all-purpose, as using other types of flour could change the texture and consistency of the cookies. It gives just the right balance of softness and structure that makes these cookies so irresistible!

  
  

• Baking Soda: Baking soda is the rising agent in this recipe, giving the cookies their light, tender texture. Just ½ teaspoon is all you need, but be sure to measure carefully. Too much or too little can affect how the cookies rise and spread in the oven.

  
  

• Butter: I typically use salted butter in most of my recipes, and this one is no different. That said, if you only have unsalted butter on hand, no worries, it works just as well! Just be sure to add about ¼ teaspoon of salt to the dough to balance out the flavors.

  
  

• Sugar: Of course, sugar is a must for this recipe! I use classic granulated sugar, which gives the cookies their crisp edges and sweet flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can play around with the texture by swapping half of the granulated sugar for about ¼ cup of brown sugar. It’ll add a slight chewiness and a hint of caramel flavor. If you give that a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out!

  
  

• Egg: This recipe uses just one egg, which is great news for budget-conscious bakers!

  Note: This batch makes about four large cookies, so if you’re baking for a crowd, you might want to double the recipe—using two eggs—to get more cookies without sacrificing flavor or texture.

  
  

• Lemon juice and lemon zest: For the lemon juice and zest, you can use fresh or bottled juice. I used bottled lemon juice and fresh zest for this recipe. If you don’t have either on hand, lemon flavoring is an option, but use it sparingly to avoid an overpowering taste. If fresh lemon zest isn’t available, you can also use lemon peel, but be cautious, it tends to be more pungent than zest, so a little goes a long way.

  
  

  How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

  
  

  2. In a large bowl whisk together your softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then add your egg, lemon juice, zest, and whisk until combined. 

  
  
  

  
  
  

  3. Add flour and baking soda. Using a wooden spoon combine your ingredients until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to over mix!

  
  
  

  
  
  

  4. Using a large cookie scoop, or 1/4 measuring cup, place the dough on your baking sheet. Then sprinkle granulated sugar on top. 

  
  

  5. Put in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes. Note: Depending on the size of your cookie, cooking times may vary. 

  
  

  6. Once the cookies are cooled you can top with a glaze, melted white chocolate, or more sugar! 

• 
  

  I hope these lemon sugar cookies bring a little sunshine to your kitchen, rain or shine! If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Leave a comment below or tag me in your photos, I’m always excited to see your creations!

  Don't forget to follow me on social media for more easy, delicious recipes and behind-the-scenes kitchen fun:

  • 📸 Instagram: @salty_and_sweet_creations

  • 📌 Pinterest: @salty_and_sweet_creations

  • 🎥 TikTok: @elysefrey32

    
    

    Thanks for baking with me, and until next time, happy baking!

Lemon Sugar Cookies

servings: 4 large cookies prep time: 5 minutes

cook time: 15-20 minutes total time: 20-20 minutes

Summer practically screams lemon, and these cookies deliver in every way. Bursting with bright citrus flavor, they're zesty, irresistibly soft, and incredibly easy to make, almost melting in your mouth with each bite. If you're looking for a quick, no-fuss recipe that tastes like sunshine, this one’s for you!

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ (210g) cups flour

  
  

• ½ tsp baking soda

  
  

• ½ cup butter, one stick, softened

  
  

• ¾ (150g) cup sugar

  
  

• 1 egg

  
  

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

  
  

• Zest of 1 lemon

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   
   

2. Whisk butter and sugar together, until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, lemon juice, and zest.

   
   

3. Add dry ingredients and stir to form a soft dough.

   
   

4. Using a large cookie scoop put onto a cookie sheet and sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar.

   
   

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

   
   

6. Let cool and add melted chocolate, icing, or other toppings!

   
   

Follow my TikTok!

2.