14 Bright and Citrusy Lemon Cookie Recipes to Brighten Up Your Day

Lemon cookies bring brightness to any day. This post shares 14 simple recipes. Each one uses fresh lemon flavors. You will find clear ingredients and easy steps.

These cookies suit all skill levels. Bakers can enjoy zesty treats fast. Readers get tasty options for snacks or desserts.

The recipes mix crisp edges with soft centers. Lemon adds a fun twist to classic cookies. Start baking now. Pick a recipe and taste the sunshine.

1. Classic Lemon Sugar Cookies

About: Classic lemon sugar cookies offer a simple joy. Fresh lemon zest gives them a sharp bite. Sugar adds sweetness. These cookies bake fast. They pair well with tea. Kids and adults like them. The texture stays soft inside. Crisp edges form outside. This recipe works for any occasion. Enjoy a quick, happy treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar in another bowl until smooth.
4. Add egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice to butter mix. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Mix until dough forms.
6. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Flatten balls slightly with a fork.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Edges turn golden.
9. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.

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2. Lemon Shortbread Bites

About: Lemon shortbread bites melt in your mouth. They use few ingredients. Lemon juice keeps them tangy. These squares fit small hands. Snack time feels special with them. Baking takes little effort. The buttery taste shines through. Dust them with sugar for fun. Share them with friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
3. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Mix well.
4. Stir in flour until dough forms.
5. Press dough into a greased 8×8 pan.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Top turns light brown.
7. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
8. Cut into small squares. Dust with powdered sugar.

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3. Chewy Lemon Crinkle Cookies

About: Chewy lemon crinkle cookies look pretty. Powdered sugar coats them. Lemon zest adds punch. They stay soft and chewy. These cookies brighten rainy days. Baking them feels fun. The crinkle effect happens naturally. Share them at parties. Everyone loves the bold taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup powdered sugar

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking soda in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Coat in powdered sugar.
7. Place balls on baking sheet. Space them apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies crinkle.
9. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes. Move to rack.

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4. Lemon Oatmeal Cookies

About: Lemon oatmeal cookies mix hearty and fresh. Oats add texture. Lemon juice keeps them light. These cookies fill you up. They taste good with coffee. Baking them takes little time. The combo surprises your tongue. Enjoy them warm. They store well too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine oats, flour, and baking soda in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and brown sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix well.
5. Stir dry ingredients into wet mix. Form dough.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheet. Use a spoon.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Edges brown.
8. Cool cookies on sheet for 5 minutes. Move to rack.

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5. Lemon Almond Biscotti

About: Lemon almond biscotti crunch perfectly. Almonds add nutty flavor. Lemon zest lifts the taste. These cookies dip well in tea. They last long in a jar. Baking twice makes them firm. Share them with guests. The combo feels fancy. Enjoy them any time.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add eggs and lemon zest. Stir well.
5. Mix in dry ingredients and almonds. Form dough.
6. Shape dough into a log on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25 minutes. Log firms up.
8. Cool log for 10 minutes. Slice into strips.
9. Bake slices for 10 minutes per side. Cool fully.

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6. Lemon Coconut Cookies

About: Lemon coconut cookies taste tropical. Shredded coconut adds chew. Lemon juice cuts the sweet. These cookies bake fast. They bring summer vibes. Share them at picnics. The mix feels fresh. Kids enjoy them too. Store extras for later.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg and lemon juice. Stir well.
5. Mix in dry ingredients and coconut. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Edges turn golden.
8. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.

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7. Lemon Glaze Cookies

About: Lemon glaze cookies shine with flavor. A sweet glaze tops them. Lemon juice makes them tangy. These cookies feel special. They bake quick and easy. The glaze sets fast. Share them with family. Enjoy the sticky fun. They taste like sunshine.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for glaze)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and lemon zest. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies turn golden.
8. Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice for glaze.
9. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let set.

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8. Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

About: Lemon poppy seed cookies pop with texture. Poppy seeds crunch lightly. Lemon zest adds zing. These cookies bake fast. They pair with milk. The look feels fun. Share them at brunch. Enjoy the bright taste. They stay fresh for days.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and poppy seeds in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add egg and lemon zest. Mix well.
5. Stir dry ingredients into wet mix. Form dough.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheet. Use a spoon.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Edges brown.
8. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.

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9. Lemon Ginger Snaps

About: Lemon ginger snaps mix spice and citrus. Ginger adds warmth. Lemon juice keeps them fresh. These cookies snap when bitten. They bake quick. Share them in winter. The flavor wakes you up. Enjoy them with tea. They store well too.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, ginger, and baking soda in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and brown sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg and lemon juice. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies crisp up.
8. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes. Move to rack.

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10. Lemon Raspberry Cookies

About: Lemon raspberry cookies burst with fruit. Raspberries add tartness. Lemon zest lifts the flavor. These cookies look bright. They bake fast. Share them at parties. The combo feels fun. Enjoy them fresh. They taste like summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and lemon zest. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Fold in raspberries.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheet. Use a spoon.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Edges turn golden.
8. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.

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11. Lemon Lavender Cookies

About: Lemon lavender cookies smell amazing. Lavender adds calm. Lemon juice keeps them sharp. These cookies bake easy. They feel fancy. Share them with tea. The taste surprises nicely. Enjoy them slow. They bring peace and joy.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, lavender, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg and lemon juice. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Edges brown.
8. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.

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12. Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies

About: Lemon cream cheese cookies taste rich. Cream cheese adds softness. Lemon zest brings zing. These cookies bake quick. They melt in your mouth. Share them with friends. The flavor feels bold. Enjoy them warm. They stay tasty for days.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup cream cheese (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour and baking soda in a bowl.
3. Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy.
4. Add egg and lemon zest. Mix well.
5. Stir dry ingredients into wet mix. Form dough.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheet. Use a spoon.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies turn golden.
8. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes. Move to rack.

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13. Lemon Meringue Cookies

About: Lemon meringue cookies feel light. Egg whites make them airy. Lemon juice adds punch. These cookies bake slow. They crunch sweetly. Share them at tea time. The look impresses guests. Enjoy the fluffy bite. They taste like dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 large egg whites
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F.
2. Beat egg whites and salt until foamy.
3. Add sugar slowly. Beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold in lemon juice and zest gently.
5. Spoon mix into a piping bag.
6. Pipe small mounds onto baking sheet.
7. Bake for 1 hour. Cookies dry out.
8. Cool fully on sheet. Serve crisp.

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14. Lemon Butter Cookies

About: Lemon butter cookies taste rich. Butter makes them soft. Lemon zest adds spark. These cookies bake fast. They suit any day. Share them with family. The flavor feels warm. Enjoy them fresh. They bring simple happiness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and lemon zest. Stir well.
5. Combine dry ingredients with wet mix. Form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls. Place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Edges turn golden.
8. Cool cookies on a rack. Serve fresh.