These Soft Lemon Glaze Cookies are tender, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Lightly crisp on the edges, pillowy in the center, and finished with a glossy lemon glaze that gently melts into the cookie—just like in the image. They’re perfect for tea time, spring desserts, holidays, or whenever you crave something bright and sweet.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Cookies
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)
Preparing the Dough
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Shaping the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place on the tray, leaving space between cookies. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your fingers.
Baking
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain pale and soft. Do not overbake—the cookies should look light in color.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Making the Lemon Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency:
- Thicker glaze → add more sugar
- Thinner glaze → add a few drops of lemon juice
Glazing the Cookies
While cookies are still slightly warm, spoon the lemon glaze over the top of each cookie. Let it drip naturally for that soft, glossy finish.
Allow the glaze to set for about 15–20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect with:
- Hot tea or coffee ☕
- Iced lemonade 🍋
- Dessert trays and gift boxes
Tips for Perfect Soft Cookies
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor
- Don’t overbake—soft centers are key
- Glaze while cookies are warm for a melt-in effect
- Store once glaze is fully set
Storage
Store in an airtight container:
- At room temperature: 4–5 days
- Refrigerator: up to 7 days
- Freezer (unglazed): up to 2 months
Flavor Variations
- Orange glaze: Swap lemon with orange
- Lemon-vanilla: Add extra vanilla to glaze
- Lemon-coconut: Add shredded coconut on top
Final Thoughts
These Soft Lemon Glaze Cookies are light, refreshing, and irresistibly tender. With their bright citrus flavor and silky glaze, they’re the kind of cookie that disappears fast—and always leaves people asking for the recipe. 🍋🍪✨