December 20, 2022
Review RecipeOld Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies

Table of Contents
Delicious and easy to make, this lemon sugar cookies recipe is baked from scratch to create a unique flavor. Our family is crazy about this old-fashioned classic recipe and thinks the soft and chewy texture with slightly crispy edges is hard to beat.

Old Fashioned Lemon Cookies Ingredients

You’ll need:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups sugar, divided into 1¼ cups and ¼ cup
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- zest from 1 lemon
- 1 egg
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
CITRUS: You could replace the flavor of lemon in this lemon sugar cookie recipe with other citrus flavors such as orange or lime. Just substitute orange or lime juice and orange or lime zest for the lemon equivalents.
How To Make Old Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies
STEP ONE: Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and 1¼ cups sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. It should take about 1 to 2 minutes.

STEP THREE: Once mixed, you’ll add vanilla, lemon juice, and fresh lemon zest, and then beat in one egg.
STEP FOUR: Slowly add your flour mixture to the butter mixture, just a little at a time, until just combined.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Do not over mix the batter. Over mixing can result in crumbly cookies.

STEP FIVE: Wrap the bowl with the plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
PRO TIP:
Do not skip the chilling step, this is important to get the best texture for these delicious cookies.
STEP SIX: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
STEP SEVEN: Scoop dough into balls and roll dough in sugar until coated all over.
PRO TIP:
You can use your hands to roll the dough into balls, but a cookie dough scoop will keep your hands clean and help to form the balls into a uniform size.

STEP EIGHT: Bake the lemon sugar cookies for 10 minutes, until the edges just start to brown.

STEP NINE: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How To Serve Lemon Sugar Cookies
Serve these chewy lemon cookies for a delicious snack. They also make excellent treats for friends, and coworkers, to take to a playdate, or bake sale. I’m sure they’ll disappear quickly, so you might want to make a double batch of these cookies. Or triple!
These chewy lemon sugar cookies are always a hit on cookie trays or for family gatherings. For all those lemon lovers, you have to try our other luscious lemon desserts such as our lemon lasagna or the crowd favorite, lemon cheesecake bars.
MORE COOKIE RECIPES
Lemon Sugar Cookie Storage
ON THE COUNTER: Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can place them on a plate and then wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.
IN THE FREEZER: Once the cookies are completely cooled, wrap your cookies in plastic wrap and then place them inside a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. This lemon cookie recipe will last for up to three months in the freezer if properly stored.

You’ll Love this Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
The bright flavors of these lemon sugar cookies make for the perfect summertime cookie or treat for family and friends. Everyone will be asking for this perfect cookie recipe to make them for themselves!
Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe FAQ
Real lemon will give you the fresh lemon flavor but you can use bottled lemon juice instead in these lemony cookies.
Yes, you can substitute lemon extract for lemon juice. Since the lemon extract is far more concentrated than lemon juice, you will only need a couple of drops of the extract to replace the lemon juice.
You can freeze these cookies stored in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Both the addition of baking soda in your ingredients and refrigerating the dough will result in light and airy cookies.
More Recipes You’ll Love

Lemon Sugar Cookies (Old Fashioned)
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups sugar, divided into 1¼ cups and ¼ cup
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and 1¼ cups sugar until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Mix in vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Beat in the egg.
- Slowly add flour mixture, mixing in a little at a time, until just combined.
- Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop sugar cookie dough into balls and roll in sugar until coated all over.
- Bake cookies for 10 minutes, until the edges just start to brown.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Video
Notes
- Do not over mix the batter. Over mixing can result in crumbly cookies.
- Do not skip the chilling step, this is important to get the best texture for these delicious cookies.
- You can use your hands to roll the dough into balls, but a cookie dough scoop will keep your hands clean and help to form the balls into a uniform size.
Comments
Tammy says
These cookies were absolutely delicious. We LOVE lemon desserts so i will add more lemon juice next time but this recipe is a keeper.
Sharon says
These cookies are delicious! My husband’s new favorite cookie….and mine too! I’ve made them 4 time’s in 2 weeks and people love them! I’ve added a touch more zest because we love the lemon otherwise perfect!