Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies
Soft, tender lemon sugar cookies made with just five simple ingredients, bursting with bright citrus flavor and a sparkling sugar coating. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 27 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, (softened) unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (softened) unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest until well combined.
- Step 3: Gradually add 2 cups all-purpose flour, mixing on low until just incorporated.
- Step 4: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in extra granulated sugar to coat. Place the coated balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Five-Ingredient Lemon Sugar Cookies?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
