These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a delightful addition to your collection of lemon dessert recipes. You’ll love these soft, chewy cookies with their bright citrus flavor and signature crinkled, sugar-dusted exterior, perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Fresh Lemons: Essential for true lemon flavor. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but fresh is best.
- Granulated Sugar: Used for sweetness in the dough and for rolling.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure. A gluten-free 1:1 baking blend can be substituted.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise and crinkle.
- Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and tenderness. Margarine or plant-based butter can be used.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Creates the classic crinkled coating.
Ingredients:
Main:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 2 medium lemons)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1-2 medium lemons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Servings: 2 dozen cookies
- Tools: Mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer (optional), baking sheets, parchment paper.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed for your lemon dessert recipes.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This creates the base for your soft cookies.
3. Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture might look a little curdled, which is perfectly normal.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
5. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and develop flavor.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Coating
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In two separate shallow bowls, place the granulated sugar and the confectioners’ sugar.
7. Form and Coat Cookies
Roll rounded tablespoons of chilled dough first in the granulated sugar, then generously in the confectioners’ sugar. Place the coated balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake Your Cookies
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are crinkled. The centers may still look soft.
9. Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these wonderful lemon dessert recipes.
Variation Ideas:
- Extra Lemony: Add an extra ½ teaspoon of lemon extract to the dough.
- Citrus Blend: Use a mix of lemon and orange zest for a different citrus twist.
- Poppy Seed: Fold in 1-2 tablespoons of poppy seeds with the dry ingredients for a lemon poppy seed crinkle.
Storage Instructions:
Store cooled Lemon Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Why do my crinkle cookies not crinkle?
Ensure your dough is adequately chilled and that you generously coat the dough balls in confectioners’ sugar. The temperature difference and sugar coating help create the crinkles.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This can even enhance the lemon flavor.
What kind of lemons should I use?
Use fresh, ripe lemons for the best flavor and zest. Meyer lemons can also be a delicious choice for a sweeter, less tart lemon dessert recipe.
Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much and allows the flavors to meld. It’s crucial for achieving that perfect crinkle texture.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
While fresh lemon juice is recommended for optimal flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice if fresh is unavailable.
Are these cookies very tart?
These cookies offer a balanced sweet and tart flavor. The confectioners’ sugar coating mellows the tartness, making them pleasantly refreshing.