Effortless Lemon Frosted Cookies (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Dough
01 -
2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 -
1 cup granulated sugar
03 -
1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temp
04 -
½ teaspoon baking soda
05 -
¼ teaspoon salt
06 -
1 large egg
07 -
2 tablespoons of finely grated lemon zest (about 2 lemons worth)
08 -
½ teaspoon baking powder
09 -
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
→ Lemon Icing
10 -
3 cups powdered sugar
11 -
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
12 -
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
13 -
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
14 -
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, tweak for spreadability)
# Instructions:
01 -
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get your baking sheets ready by covering them with parchment paper. This makes clean-up a breeze.
02 -
Start by whipping together the softened butter and sugar in a big bowl until it's fluffy and smooth, which should take about 3 minutes. Mix in the egg, grated lemon zest, and juice until it smells sweet and citrusy.
03 -
Using another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to your wet mix, stirring a little at a time until the dough just sticks together. Don’t overdo the mixing!
04 -
Roll small balls of dough, about 1 inch across, between your hands. Lay them on the prepared sheets with gaps of 2 inches between. Press them gently with your fingers or the base of a glass dipped in sugar.
05 -
Let the cookies bake for around 10-12 minutes. They'll be ready when you see the edges turn lightly golden. Even if the centers seem uncooked, they'll solidify as they sit.
06 -
Leave your cookies on the sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them carefully to a cooling rack. This keeps them from crumbling.
07 -
In the meantime, whip the butter until it’s silky smooth. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, along with the fresh lemon zest and juice. Mix until it feels light and creamy.
08 -
If the frosting feels stiff, slowly add a tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until it spreads easily.
09 -
Once the cookies are fully cool, top them with a swirl of lemon frosting. A little extra zest on top gives a bright, fancy touch.
# Notes:
01 -
Every bite gives a lovely balance of sweetness and lemony tang
02 -
Fresh lemons make all the difference, so avoid the bottled stuff
03 -
Store in a sealed container and enjoy for up to five days