Lemon Sugar Cookies Pastel Glaze (Printable Version)

Lemon sugar cookies topped with pastel glaze offer a sweet burst of citrus flavor and festive colors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookies

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Glaze

10 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2–3 tablespoons milk (whole or 2%)
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - Pastel pink, blue, yellow, or green food coloring

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat until well combined.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool cookies on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth. Add more milk as needed for desired consistency.
09 - Divide glaze into separate bowls and tint each with a drop of pastel food coloring.
10 - Dip cooled cookies into glaze or drizzle glaze over tops. Allow glaze to set for at least 20 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pastel glaze turns every cookie into a mini artwork, and no two are ever quite alike.
  • The burst of lemon makes each bite taste like sunshine, which got me hooked from the first batch.
02 -
  • If you rush the creaming step, the cookies won't spread properly and will be too dense.
  • Letting the glaze set completely prevents sticky fingerprints and preserves those pastel hues.
03 -
  • Always zest the lemon right before baking so the oils are at their peak.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before glazing for sharp color and clean lines.
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