Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 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 flavoring and vanilla bean paste
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
For Rolling & Garnishing
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Additional lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the butter mixture: Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl sides as needed. Rubbing the lemon zest with sugar before adding helps release natural oils for greater lemon flavor.
- Add eggs and extracts: Incorporate the large egg, egg yolk, lemon flavoring, and vanilla bean paste into the butter mixture, mixing well.
- Add dry ingredients: Spoon the flour into a mound over the wet mixture, sprinkle baking soda on top, then add cornstarch and salt.
- Activate with lemon juice: Pour lemon juice over the baking soda to activate foaming, then gently mix just until all ingredients are combined. Avoid over-mixing to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Form dough balls and chill: Either refrigerate the dough as is or scoop into 1½ to 2 tablespoon-sized balls, then refrigerate at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven and prepare sugar coating: Set oven to 325°F. Pour ¼ cup granulated sugar into a bowl and roll the chilled dough balls in sugar to coat.
- Arrange and bake: Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Place 6-8 sugar-coated dough balls per sheet, spaced apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, ensuring cookies remain soft and chewy—do not overbake.
- Shape cookies: Right after removing from the oven, swirl a cup around each cookie while still warm to create perfect circles.
- Cool cookies: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. They will deflate slightly as they cool.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle cooled cookies with extra granulated sugar and additional lemon zest if desired for a sparkly, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Rubbing lemon zest with sugar before mixing enhances the lemon aroma and flavor.
- Do not over-mix the dough after adding dry ingredients to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Chilling the dough balls is essential to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Swirling a cup around the warm cookies helps achieve uniform, round shapes.
- Cookies will look puffier right out of the oven but will settle into a soft, chewy texture as they cool.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
