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Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.3 from 6 reviews

Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a soft and chewy treat bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Featuring a delightful crinkled top dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a refreshing snack, each cookie brightens your palate with its zingy citrus notes and tender texture.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp juice)

For Rolling

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
  4. Add Lemon Flavor: Mix in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, blending well to infuse the dough with bright citrus flavor throughout.
  5. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet lemon mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms, ensuring the ingredients are well incorporated.
  6. Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the dough into balls, then coat each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar to create the signature crinkle appearance after baking.
  7. Arrange and Bake: Place the sugared dough balls about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the cookies are slightly puffed but remain soft in the center.

Notes

  • For best lemon flavor, use freshly zested and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Do not overbake; cookies should be soft when removed as they firm up while cooling.
  • Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help prevent excessive spreading, if desired.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.