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The Ultimate Soft and Chewy Lemon Crinkle Cookies (From Scratch)

A stack of bright yellow lemon crinkle cookies generously coated in powdered sugar, sitting on a white plate.
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Make these soft and chewy lemon crinkle cookies from scratch for a bright, zesty citrus dessert. This recipe focuses on maximizing lemon flavor using both zest and juice, and achieving the signature powdered sugar crinkle top.

Ingredients

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  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 cup of the granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. Mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until just combined.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms. Do not overmix.
  6. Place the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in one shallow dish and the powdered sugar in another shallow dish.
  7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. First, roll each ball lightly in the granulated sugar, then roll it thoroughly in the powdered sugar, coating completely.
  8. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  9. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should still look slightly soft.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The crinkles will set as they cool.

Notes

  • For the best crinkle effect, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and coating. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much before the sugar coating sets.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest; bottled juice will not provide the same bright flavor.
  • If you prefer a more intense lemon flavor, add 1-2 drops of yellow food coloring to the dough.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbymia.com/lemon-crinkle-cookies-recipe-soft-chewy/