Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe - Soft, Buttery Italian Lemon Cookies with Glaze
Lemon drop cookies are soft, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. These bite-sized Italian lemon cookies can be enjoyed plain or topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze for an extra refreshing treat. Perfect for spring and summer baking, they're quick, easy to make, and full of light citrusy goodness.
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter softened, not melted!
- Granulated sugar
- Fresh lemon zest and juice
- Lemon extract or vanilla if you prefer
- One large egg
- For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Stuff: In a bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside for now.
- Zest and Cream: Grab your stand mixer or hand mixer. Combine the sugar and lemon zest until they feel like damp sand. Add the softened butter and beat until creamy. Think of it as giving your ingredients a little spa treatment.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:Crack in the egg, pour in the lemon juice and extract, and mix until smooth. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy of soft cookies, so don’t go overboard.
- Chill Out, Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for 30–60 minutes. This step is crucial—it keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Bake Time: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Glaze and Shine: Once the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice to create a glossy glaze. Drizzle it over the cookies for that extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw before adding the glaze.
- Use room-temperature ingredients for best results.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking.