Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies

• servings: 36 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 31 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon zest (from one large lemon)

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature (not too soft!)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest (from one large lemon)

1 large egg

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (see note)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

For the lemon sugar, combine the sugar and zest in a bowl and rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers until super fragrant and the zest and sugar are evenly and well combined. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until lightly and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the egg, lemon juice and vanilla and mix again for 1-2 minutes until the batter lightens in color. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. It will look a bit curdled; that's totally fine.

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix until combined. Don't over mix - just mix until no dry streaks remain.

Scoop the cookie dough into rounded balls (about 2 tablespoons in size; I use my #40 cookie scoop).

Stir or crumble the lemon sugar to break up any clumps. Roll cookie dough balls in lemon sugar and place on the prepared baking sheets a couple inches apart (about 12 cookies per baking sheet).

Bake for 9-11 minutes until slightly crackly on top (don't over bake).

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 123 kcal
• Total Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.3 g
• Total Sugars: 10 g
• Protein: 1 g