5 Lemon Cake Cookies You'll Love to Bake

In the world of baking, few flavors capture the hearts of dessert enthusiasts quite like lemon. Its bright, zesty profile adds a delightful twist to traditional sweets, and what better way to enjoy it than in the form of lemon cake cookies? These treats combine the rich texture of cake with the portable convenience of cookies, making them a favorite for any occasion. Here are five lemon cake cookies that you can easily bake at home, each with its unique spin on this classic flavor.

1. Classic Lemon Crinkle Cookies

These lemon crinkle cookies are like little bites of heaven with a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₂ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Powdered sugar for rolling

How to make:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
6. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
7. Shape the dough into balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set.

2. Lemon Poppy Seed Cake Cookies

For those who love a little crunch with their chewiness, these cookies are perfect. The poppy seeds add a unique texture:

• 2 ¹⁄₄ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon baking soda
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¹⁄₂ cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare baking sheets.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat sugar and butter until creamy, then add the egg, poppy seeds, lemon zest, and juice.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until combined.
5. Scoop dough onto baking sheets, flatten slightly with a fork.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

3. Glazed Lemon Cake Cookies

These cookies offer a soft, cake-like texture with a lemon glaze that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

• 1 box lemon cake mix
• ¹⁄₂ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• For the glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets.
2. Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs until well blended.
3. Drop by spoonfuls onto the baking sheets.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
5. Whisk together glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cookies.

4. Lemon Ricotta Cake Cookies

Introduce a new dimension to your lemon cookies with the creamy addition of ricotta cheese for an extra tender texture:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon baking soda
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• ¹⁄₂ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by ricotta, lemon zest, and vanilla.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden.

5. Iced Lemon Butter Cake Cookies

These cookies are buttery, soft, and topped with a tangy lemon icing, making them irresistible:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• For the icing:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, lemon juice, and zest, mixing well.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture.
5. Shape dough into balls, flatten slightly, and bake for 12-15 minutes.
6. Let cool, then drizzle with icing made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.

🍋 Note: Using fresh lemons will give you the best flavor; pre-bottled juice can be too tart.

Baking lemon cake cookies is a joyful activity, whether you're an experienced baker or trying your hand at it for the first time. Each of these recipes brings out the vibrant essence of lemon in unique ways, from the texture of the cookie to the flavor enhancement through various mix-ins like poppy seeds or ricotta. By following these recipes, you're not just creating a dessert; you're crafting an experience filled with zesty goodness that's sure to delight anyone lucky enough to taste your creations. Remember, baking is both an art and a science, so enjoy the process, experiment with variations, and let your kitchen become a haven for sweet treats.

How can I make lemon cookies less tart?

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If you find the lemon flavor too intense, reduce the amount of lemon juice or zest slightly, or balance it by adding a bit more sugar or a complementary flavor like vanilla or almond extract.

Can these cookies be made in advance?

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Yes, most of these cookie doughs can be prepared ahead, refrigerated or frozen, and baked as needed. Cookies can also be stored in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.

What can I use instead of lemon zest?

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If you’re out of lemons, you might use orange zest or even lime zest for a different but still refreshing citrus twist.