Name: Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 1 tbsp lemon zest; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; 2 tsp lemon extract (or 1 tsp each lemon and vanilla extract); 2 tbsp lemon juice; 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp cornstarch; ¾ tsp salt; ¼ cup granulated sugar, for rolling & garnishing

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 10 reviews

If you adore a bright burst of citrus in your sweets, this Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe is sure to become your new obsession. These cookies are everything you want from a lemon treat—soft on the inside, just the right amount of chewiness, and a vibrant triple-lemon flavor that comes from lemon zest, lemon extract, and fresh lemon juice. Butter gives them a rich texture while a delicate sugar coating adds a delightful sparkle and a touch of crunch. Honestly, they are the perfect little cookies to brighten any day or gathering with their sunny, irresistible charm.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A silver mixing bowl filled with rough, pale yellow dough with a soft and crumbly texture sits on a white marbled surface. Inside the bowl, a spatula with a wooden handle and blue silicone head is partly embedded in the dough. Nearby on the surface, there are two halves of a bright yellow lemon. The scene shows a simple and natural baking preparation moment. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients you likely have on hand, yet each one plays a key role in building the ultimate lemon cookie experience. From the creamy butter that gives tenderness to the fresh lemon components delivering zesty flair, these ingredients work together like a perfectly harmonized lemon symphony.

12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies beautifully while helping them brown evenly.
1 tbsp lemon zest: Packed with aromatic oils that boost lemon flavor intensely.
1 large egg, room temperature: Provides structure and moisture for soft cookies.
1 large egg yolk, room temperature: Adds extra richness and chewiness to the dough.
2 tsp lemon extract (or 1 tsp lemon and 1 tsp vanilla extract): Gives a powerful lemon punch with a hint of vanilla warmth.
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled: The base that holds all ingredients and creates cookie shape.
1 tsp baking soda: Helps cookies rise slightly and develop a tender crumb.
1 tsp cornstarch: Adds softness and chewiness by gently thickening the dough.
3/4 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors beautifully.
2 tbsp lemon juice: Activates baking soda and adds fresh, zesty tang.
¼ cup granulated sugar, for rolling & garnishing: Creates a sparkly, crunchy exterior that’s simply irresistible.

How to Make Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Lemon Zest

Start by beating the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest together in your stand mixer until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Here’s a little trick: rubbing the lemon zest between your fingers with sugar before adding it helps release extra lemon oils, infusing your dough with even more vibrant citrus flavor.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Lemon Extract

Next, incorporate the egg and egg yolk one at a time, followed by the lemon extract (or lemon and vanilla combo). This step brings moisture and richness while reinforcing the deep lemon essence, setting your cookies up for that perfect balance of flavor and structure.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mound the all-purpose flour, then sprinkle the baking soda, cornstarch, and salt on top. This layering method helps the baking soda react properly when you add lemon juice next, ensuring those soft, chewy cookies with just the right lift.

Step 4: Add Lemon Juice and Mix

Pour the lemon juice directly over the baking soda mound—it will foam pleasantly as the chemical reaction activates. Mix everything together gently, just until the dough comes together. Don’t overwork it; that’s the secret to keeping your cookies soft and tender.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

You can refrigerate the dough as is or scoop it into 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon-sized balls before chilling. Either way, chilling for at least one hour is crucial—it helps the flavors meld, prevents spreading, and ensures your cookies bake up with that ideal chewy texture.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Pour ¼ cup granulated sugar into a bowl and roll each dough ball in the sugar so they’re well coated. This sugar coating adds a sweet, delicate crunch that perfectly contrasts the chewy interior.

Step 7: Bake and Perfect the Shape

Place 6 to 8 cookies on parchment or silicone mats per baking sheet, spacing them generously. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—watch them carefully, so they don’t overbake. Right when they come out, quickly swirl the baking sheet in a circular motion to even out the cookies into beautiful rounds. Let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Final Touches

Once cool, sprinkle more granulated sugar on top for extra sparkle and a little fresh lemon zest to amp up the citrus wow factor. Now they’re ready to delight!

How to Serve Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe

The image shows a stack of six round lemon sugar cookies on a wooden plate with a white marbled background. Each cookie is light golden with a soft, crumbly texture, topped with a fine layer of sugar and small pieces of yellow lemon zest scattered on top. One cookie from the stack has a bite taken out, revealing a soft inside. Around the stack, there are three more whole cookies lying flat on the wooden plate, also sprinkled with lemon zest and sugar. In the background, there is a blurred basket holding lemons. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A little extra lemon zest or a thin drizzle of lemon glaze can elevate your cookies visually and flavor-wise. Adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving adds a lovely dusted appearance for that picture-perfect touch.

Side Dishes

These lemon cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of fragrant green tea, or even a refreshing lemonade to echo their zesty brightness. For brunch or tea parties, serve alongside fresh berries or a light citrus salad to keep the mood fresh and vibrant.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider stacking these cookies with a thin layer of lemon curd or cream cheese frosting in between for delightful mini sandwich cookies. You can also dip half the cookie in white chocolate for an elegant finish or package them in bright, decorative tins for gifting that brings sunshine to any occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover lemon cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure the container is sealed well to maintain their soft and chewy texture—they tend to dry out if exposed to air for too long.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. Store dough balls on a baking sheet separated enough not to stick, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, freeze in a sealed container with parchment layers, and thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

To revive the softness, pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This will refresh their delightful chewiness and bring back that just-baked sensation.

FAQs

Can I substitute lemon extract for fresh lemon juice?

Both lemon juice and lemon extract contribute different things: juice provides acidity and moisture activating the baking soda, while extract lends intense lemon aroma. For best results, use both as recommended in the recipe.

Why is cornstarch used in this lemon cookie recipe?

Cornstarch softens the cookies by preventing excessive gluten formation, helping achieve that soft, tender, and chewy texture everyone loves.

How do I prevent my lemon cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least an hour is key to reducing spread. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate; lower temperatures can cause more spreading.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like all-purpose flour. Keep in mind texture may vary slightly, but they should still be delicious!

What is the best way to get a shiny, crackled sugar coating?

Rolling dough balls generously in granulated sugar and not overbaking helps keep that delicate, sparkly crackle on top. Swirling the sheets immediately after baking helps smooth perfect circles as well.

Final Thoughts

This Soft & Chewy Lemon Cookies Recipe is a true celebration of lemon in cookie form—bright, buttery, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these cookies will bring sunshine to your kitchen and smiles to your table. Give them a try and I promise you’ll be reaching for seconds before they’re even cool!