Description
Soft, pillowy, and bursting with bright lemon flavor, these Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies are a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. A hint of cream cheese adds richness, while the lemon glaze gives a zesty finish. Perfect for springtime or anytime you crave citrusy goodness!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop 1.5-tablespoon portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use the back of a spoon to slightly flatten the tops.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly underbaked. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Lemon Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or more lemon juice for a thinner glaze.
Glaze the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or spoon the glaze over the tops. Let the glaze set for about 15–20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For extra lemon flavor, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract to the cookie dough.