lemon crinkle cookies

Craving a burst of citrusy goodness? Say hello to Lemon Crinkle Cookies, a light, zesty treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

These cookies are soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and covered with a snowy layer of powdered sugar that crackles and crinkles as they bake. Each bite is sunshine and sweetness in one perfect dessert!

Ingredients List

Crafting the perfect batch of Lemon Crinkle Cookies begins with fresh citrus, a tender dough, and a final sugary roll that creates their signature look. Here’s what you’ll need:

Dough Ingredients

• 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons (225g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon lemon zest (packed; about 2 lemons)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling – optional but helpful)
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar (for rolling – creates the “crinkle” effect)

Required Kitchen Tools

Creating Lemon Crinkle Cookies is simple and fun when you have the right tools on hand. Here’s what you’ll need for a seamless baking experience:

1. Stand or Hand Mixer – Helpful for creaming butter and sugar until fluffy and incorporating citrus fully.
2. Mixing Bowls – A few medium and large mixing bowls for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
3. Citrus Zester – A sharp zester or microplane is essential for extracting bright lemony flavor from the zest.
4. Cookie Scoop – A 1-tablespoon scoop ensures evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly.
5. Baking Sheets – Sturdy baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy removal and even baking.
6. Wire Cooling Rack – To cool the cookies completely, which enhances their texture and helps preserve that signature crinkle effect.

Having everything prepped not only makes the baking process smoother but also increases your chances of baking the most delectably soft and crinkly lemon cookies possible.

Dough Preparation

Getting the dough just right is key to achieving those delightfully soft and zesty lemon crinkle cookies. Follow each step carefully to create a dough that’s not only flavorful but also perfect for producing that beautiful crinkled finish during baking.

Mixing the Ingredients

Start by whisking the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl. The cornstarch helps produce a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream them on medium-high speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Add in the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until everything is well combined — the mixture will look slightly curdled due to the juice reacting with the butter. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal!

Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick, creamy, and a little sticky — ideal for chilling.

Chilling the Dough

Chilling is mandatory for this sticky, citrusy dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Chilling solidifies the fats and allows the dough to firm up, which not only prevents spreading but also intensifies the lemon flavor.

If the dough is chilled longer than 3 hours, let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping — this will make it much easier to work with.

Rolling and Baking the Cookies

Now that your lemony cookie dough is chilled and bursting with bright citrus flavor, it’s time to shape, roll, and bake these cookies into their signature crinkled perfection.

Shaping the Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This helps prevent sticking and promotes even baking.
2. Scoop and Roll Dough Balls:
   Using a 1-tablespoon scoop (or weighing ~20g per cookie), scoop the dough and roll it into smooth balls between your palms. Handle the dough quickly to prevent it from warming too much.
3. Roll in Sugar for the Crinkle Effect:
   For best results, roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar — this acts as a barrier so the confectioners’ sugar doesn’t immediately absorb into the dough.
   Next, roll them very generously in confectioners’ sugar, completely coating each cookie ball. If you want extra powdery crinkles, don’t be shy — roll them a second or even third time in the sugar.
4. Place on Baking Sheets:
   Arrange the sugar-coated cookie balls 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. The cookies will spread slightly in the oven and need space to bake evenly.

Baking Time and Tips

• Bake the cookies for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the edges look set and the centers are still soft. The tops should be crinkly and the cookies slightly puffed.
• Pro Tip: If your cookies aren’t spreading by minute 9, carefully remove the tray from the oven, and give it a few firm taps on the counter. This will “force” a spread and help with the crackling top. Return them to the oven to finish baking.
• The cookies will continue baking a bit on the tray after being removed from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and Decoration

Once your lemon crinkle cookies are cooled and ready, it’s time to enjoy their beauty — and of course, their melt-in-your-mouth citrus flavor. These cookies are as eye-catching as they are delicious, making them perfect for parties, holidays, or an afternoon tea treat.

Suggested Toppings and Finishing Touches

While the powdered sugar coating is the classic finishing touch for lemon crinkle cookies, here are a few optional ways to get creative with presentation:

• Extra Powdered Sugar Dusting: If the cookies need a fresh pop of white before serving, sift over a light additional dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
• Lemon Drizzle: Mix a quick glaze using 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice. Lightly drizzle over cooled cookies for added tang and shine.
• Candied Lemon Peel: Garnish cookies with a thin sliver of candied lemon peel for a fancy, bakery-style finish.

These small additions not only elevate the visual appeal but also amplify the citrusy character of these delightful treats.

Storage Instructions

Lemon crinkle cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they store beautifully for later snacking — if they last that long!

How to Keep Lemon Crinkle Cookies Fresh

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Place parchment or wax paper between layers to retain the sugar coating and prevent sticking.

Freezing the Cookies

To keep a stash on hand for unexpected guests or future cravings, lemon crinkle cookies can easily be frozen.

• To Freeze Baked Cookies:
  Let cookies cool completely. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• To Freeze Dough Balls:
  After rolling dough balls (before rolling in sugar), freeze them on a tray until firm, then move to a freezer bag. On baking day, let dough balls sit for 20 minutes, roll in sugars, and bake from frozen—adding 1–2 extra minutes to the total bake time.

Conclusion

Mastering Lemon Crinkle Cookies brings citrusy sunshine into your kitchen with every batch. With crisp sugar-coated exteriors and ultra-soft centers, they offer a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.

The secret lies in the chill — and of course, the generous rolling in sugar that creates their iconic crackled surface.

These cookies prove that elegance doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients, a few key steps, and plenty of lemon zest, you can create cookies that are perfect for a summer party, a holiday cookie tray, or a casual cozy afternoon.

So, grab your lemons, preheat your oven, and enjoy baking your way to golden, sugary bliss.