Lemon Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Zesty & Melt-in-Your-Mouth Dessert Recipe

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to bake a cookie that feels like sunshine in every bite? These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a timeless classic, loved for their bright citrus flavor, tender interior, and snowy powdered-sugar finish. They’re the kind of cookie that instantly lifts the mood—simple, cheerful, and deeply comforting.

Crinkle cookies have long been a favorite in traditional home baking. Their signature cracked tops are more than decoration; they’re a sign of a dough made with care, rolled by hand, and baked just right. Lemon versions became especially popular in spring and summer kitchens, when citrus was used to refresh desserts and balance sweetness naturally. The scent of lemon zest warming in the oven is one that many of us associate with clean kitchens, open windows, and relaxed afternoons.

What makes these cookies truly special is their texture. The outside is lightly crisp, dusted generously with powdered sugar, while the inside stays soft, moist, and almost cake-like. They melt gently on the tongue, leaving behind a bright, zesty finish that never feels heavy. This balance makes them perfect after dinner, with tea ☕, or arranged on a dessert table for guests.

This recipe is designed to be reliable and forgiving—no complicated steps, no fancy tools. Just good ingredients, a chilled dough, and a little patience. Whether you’re baking for family traditions, holidays, or simple everyday joy, these lemon crinkle cookies belong in your recipe box. Let’s bake them together.

🧈 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Rolling

• ½ cup powdered sugar

🍪 Step-by-Step Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar
   In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add flavor base
   Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix gently—the aroma will be wonderfully fresh 🍋.
4. Combine wet and dry
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. Chill the dough
   Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. This step is essential for proper crinkles.
6. Preheat and prepare
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Shape cookies
   Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, then roll generously in powdered sugar.
8. Bake
   Place cookies on baking sheets, spacing them apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops are cracked.
9. Cool
   Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

🧾 Notes

• For extra lemon flavor, add a drop of lemon extract.
• Dough must be cold for best crinkle effect.
• Cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

🥗 Nutritional Information (Approximate)

⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes | 🔥 Baking Time: 12 minutes | ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
⚡ Calories per serving: ~140 | 🍽️ Servings: 24 cookies

• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 6g
• Protein: 2g
• Sugar: 11g

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Bon appétit and happy cooking!