Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a burst of sunshine in cookie form—tangy, sweet, irresistibly soft, and delightfully dusted with a crinkly, powdered sugar coating. Every bite has that perfect balance of bright citrus paired with tender, buttery goodness that makes them dangerously addictive. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this recipe captures everything you crave in a cookie: simplicity, vivid color, and an irresistible flavor that keeps everyone reaching for more. If you love cookies with personality and freshness, you are absolutely going to fall for Lemon Crinkle Cookies!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes these Lemon Crinkle Cookies so special is how a short list of humble ingredients can come together for amazing flavor and texture. Each ingredient is chosen for a reason, contributing its magic to the cookies—so don’t skip a thing!

All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing structure and that lovely, soft crumb.
Baking Soda: Gives the cookies that irresistible puffiness and perfect crinkle texture.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance and enhance all the bright flavors.
Butter (softened): Buttery richness makes each bite melt in your mouth; make sure it’s soft for creaming.
Sugar: For sweetness and tender texture—don’t be tempted to cut it back, you need that classic cookie taste.
Large Egg: The magic binder, holding everything together while adding lightness.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best; adds the bold citrus zing you crave.
Lemon Zest: Intensifies the lemon flavor by bringing in aromatic oils from the peel.
Vanilla Extract: Adds background warmth and complexity that makes the lemon really pop.
Yellow Food Coloring (optional): Gives the cookies their cheerful, lemony hue, but feel free to skip if you prefer a natural look!
Extra Sugar: For rolling the dough—gives that coveted sugar sparkle and better crinkle effect.
Powdered Sugar: The finishing touch! Gives the cookies their signature snowy coating and beautiful crackled appearance.

How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

Start by grabbing a large bowl and whisking together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that every bite of your Lemon Crinkle Cookies is light, even, and perfectly textured—and it’s always best to mix the dry ingredients first so everything is ready to go.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if you’re using a hand mixer), beat together the softened butter and sugar until it turns super light and fluffy—usually about two minutes. This step is where the magic starts, as the creamy base lets the lemon flavors shine through later.

Step 3: Add the Flavor Makers

Mix in the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and a few drops of yellow food coloring if you’re using it. This vibrant combination transforms the dough with citrus brightness and beautiful color, creating that unmistakable aroma of fresh Lemon Crinkle Cookies.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your fluffy butter mixture on low speed, just until combined. Don’t over-mix—just blend enough so there are no dry streaks. The dough will be a gorgeous, aromatic yellow and slightly sticky at this stage.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least two hours. This step is crucial: it prevents spreading and gives the cookies their irresistible thick, pillow-like texture when baked.

Step 6: Preheat and Prep Baking Sheets

About 15 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and golden-bottomed cookies every time.

Step 7: Scoop and Roll the Dough

Using a small cookie scoop, portion out balls of chilled dough. If it’s a little firm, that’s perfect—just scoop and gently roll into balls. For true Lemon Crinkle Cookies, first roll each ball in granulated sugar, then generously in powdered sugar. This double coating creates that trademark crackly appearance you see in every delicious bite.

Step 8: Arrange and Bake

Place your coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes—watch for crinkly tops with just-set edges and a slightly soft center. The hardest part? Waiting for them to cool before sinking your teeth in!

Step 9: Cool Completely

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they finish setting, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. This ensures your Lemon Crinkle Cookies keep their dreamy texture—and don’t worry, the wait is worth it!

How to Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Garnishes

If you want your Lemon Crinkle Cookies to really stand out, finish them off with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar right before serving. You can also grate a little fresh lemon zest over the top for a pop of color and a burst of citrus aroma that’ll have everyone swooning.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with an afternoon cup of black tea, a silky lemon mousse, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re serving for a party, plate them alongside fresh berries or a fruit salad for a summery dessert spread that balances sweetness with tart flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Get festive! Stack Lemon Crinkle Cookies in mason jars with a ribbon for the perfect homemade gift, or arrange them on a bright platter layered with parchment paper for an eye-catching display. For special occasions, try sandwiching a bit of whipped cream or lemon curd between two cookies for a playful twist on the classic recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Want your Lemon Crinkle Cookies to stay soft and chewy? Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Slip in a slice of bread to keep them from drying out—the cookies will absorb the moisture, staying extra fresh and moist.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze both the unbaked dough and the finished cookies. For the dough, shape into balls, roll in sugars, and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Already-baked cookies can be frozen as well: layer with parchment in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To restore that just-baked aroma and soft center, warm Lemon Crinkle Cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. Or pop one in the microwave for 5-10 seconds for a quick, satisfying treat that taste like they just came out of the oven!

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is ideal for Lemon Crinkle Cookies—the flavor is brighter and more layered. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but you might miss some of the citrusy punch and aroma of fresh lemons.

Why is my dough too sticky to roll?

If the dough is sticky and hard to handle, it probably hasn’t chilled long enough. Give it extra time in the fridge (or even a quick 10-15 minutes in the freezer) until it’s firm enough to scoop and roll easily—this will also help your cookies bake up thicker and chewier.

Can I skip the food coloring?

Absolutely! The yellow food coloring is purely optional for that sunny look, but it won’t affect taste or texture. Without it, your Lemon Crinkle Cookies will have a more natural, subtle color that’s just as lovely.

Do these cookies spread a lot while baking?

With proper chilling, Lemon Crinkle Cookies should puff up with slight spreading, giving you a soft, thick texture and beautiful crinkles. If your cookies are spreading too much, make sure the dough is cold and the butter isn’t melted before baking.

What’s the best way to get that perfect crinkle effect?

The secret is double-coating each dough ball—first in granulated sugar, then in lots of powdered sugar. The granulated sugar keeps the powdered sugar from melting into the dough, ensuring those gorgeous, dramatic crinkles after baking!

Final Thoughts

Lemon Crinkle Cookies are pure happiness in every bite—tangy, sweet, and totally irresistible. Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply want to add a little sunshine to your baking, I can’t recommend this recipe enough. Give it a try and watch how quickly these cookies disappear from the plate!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 12 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 2 hours 42 minutes
Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delightfully tangy and sweet, these Lemon Crinkle Cookies are a burst of citrus flavor in every bite. With a soft, chewy texture and a crispy sugary coating, they are the perfect treat for lemon lovers!

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Mix well.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until combined. Chill the dough in the fridge for 2 hours.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape and Coat: Scoop out dough, roll into balls, coat with sugar and powdered sugar. Arrange on baking sheets.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Cool on baking sheet before transferring to a rack.

Notes

For a stronger lemon flavor, add more lemon zest.
Adjust sweetness by increasing or decreasing the amount of powdered sugar coating.
Store cookies in an airtight container for freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 75mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Lemon crinkle cookies, lemon cookies, citrus dessert, lemon recipes