This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
These one-bowl, no-mixer, lemon sugar cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture, lots of crinkly cracks, super-crisp, sugar-coated exteriors and moist, chewy insides! There's also a burst of sunshiny lemon flavor with every bite!
Oh my goodness, if you enjoy the bright sunny flavor of lemon and you don't mind incredibly delicious cookies with a crisp melt-in-your-mouth texture, you're going to LOVE these Crinkly Crackly Lemon Sugar Cookies! Pair that with a super easy recipe that requires just one bowl, no mixer and calls for ingredients you most likely have right now in your pantry, and you've got a WINNER!
It seems that recipes that feature lemons are fashionable and popular all year long, unlike many other seasonal ingredients. Although lemons are generally harvested in the winter months, I love that they're readily available any time of year.
Butter and oil
The first time I ever made a cookie recipe that called for both butter and oil, I was a little skeptical. It was actually 40 years ago (the original version of this recipe), WAY before I got the crazy idea of starting a food blog. I had been gifted a plate of cookies from an older woman and loved them so much, I requested the recipe.
But, as I said, when I saw that it called for butter AND oil, I thought perhaps there had been a mistake. I went ahead and tried it though and... WOW, they were so good! Since then I've found a few other cookie recipes that call for both ingredients and each one has resulted in incredibly delicious cookies with a super light (haha, not in calories), tender texture, crisp exteriors and nice chewy insides. I've become a believer!
Testimonies
Speaking of a huge hit, we shared little gift bags full of these Lemon Sugar Cookies with some neighbors. One of them called that evening, after discovering them in the mailbox, and reported that they were the best cookies he had ever tasted. He said:
"These are amazing, my search is done for the perfect cookie!"
Another recipient texted:
Woah! So delicious! Thanks so much! Nicole (his wife) is not eating sugar in January so they’re all mine!
Gift them away (or not)!
I think you'll have the same response when you taste or share these Lemon Sugar Cookies. Everyone who's tried them has loved them. They make such a lovely gift that we've created a pretty label to add to your plates, bags or boxes of gift cookies.
If you'd like to receive a free printable PDF for these gift labels, just let us know by scrolling to the bottom of the comment section beneath this post and leaving a comment letting us know you'd like to receive the labels. We'll email you the PDF along with instructions on how to use it and links for the ribbon and gift boxes shown in the photos.
I've got grandkids coming to spend the afternoon so I'm going to run. I just made another batch of these delicious cookies to share with them. What's a visit to Gigi's (that's me) house without some yummy cookies, right?
Make a batch soon! Hide a few for yourself as I'm pretty sure yours will disappear as quickly as mine will today... faster than you or I can say Crinkly Crackly Lemon Sugar Cookies!
Café Tips for making these Crinkly Crackly Lemon Sugar Cookies
- You'll need a microwave-safe bowl to make the dough for this recipe. What is a microwave-safe bowl? It's a bowl made from glass or material that won't melt, get too hot, cause damage to the microwave or release chemicals when exposed to microwave rays. If you look at the bottom of a bowl, it should say "microwave-safe" or have the microwave symbol.
- I love this large microwave-sage measuring bowl with a handle that never gets hot, no matter how long you're cooking something in the microwave. This one is particularly nice because it comes with a lid.
- This recipe calls for cream of tartar. It's part of what makes the crinkles and crackles in these cookies. We recently shared another delicious recipe for these Snickerdoodle Scones that calls for cream of tartar. It's not a super common ingredient but it's one that is super easy to find in the spice section of just about any grocery store. Don't worry about buying it and it going bad as cream of tartar has a shelf life of at 5 years unless it's been left open and exposed to moisture.
- When making one-bowl, no-mixer cookies, I like to start with a whisk. A good whisk will last forever and is an indispensable kitchen tool. Once everything except the flour has been whisked together, I switch to a sturdy spatula to mix in the flour. I love these silicone spatulas with wooden handles and use them ALL the time. Mine have been through the dishwasher a zillion times and still look like new.
- Another wonderful tool to have when making cookies is a retractable cookie scoop. I use a two-tablespoon scoop for the medium-large cookies pictured in the post. A scoop like this makes portioning out cookie dough super easy and produces consistent sized cookies.
- These cookies are rolled into balls before baking and then rolled in sugar. You can use regular granulated sugar,
- These cookies have a nice burst of lemon flavor. If you want a more intense lemon taste, add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract along with the vanilla extract.
- I use salted butter for these Lemon Sugar Cookies. In fact, in contrast to conventional baking wisdom, I use salted butter for all of my baking. I know that most baking recipes call for unsalted butter but I agree with Christopher Kimbal, the founder of both Cook's Illustrated and, more recently, Milk Street. You can read his thoughts on it in this article.
- If you like cookies with soft interiors, don't bake these cookies too long. Remove them from the oven when they're light golden brown. If you bake them longer, they will still be delicious but will be crips all the way through.
- The flour measurement for these Lemon Sugar Cookies is 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons which might seem a little odd. When testing these cookies, I found that 2 cups was not enough but 2¼ cups was a little too much.
Thought for the day:
For God, who said,
“Let light shine out of darkness,”
has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
Crinkly Crackly Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter, I use salted butter
- ½ cup neutral flavored oil, ie canola or grapeseed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- finely grated lemon zest from 2 large lemons
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- sugar for rolling, You can use regular granulated sugar or a coarse sugar like sanding sugar or Turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place butter in a medium size, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power for 40-50 seconds or until most of the butter is melted. Add the oil and sugar and whisk well to combine. Add the egg, vanilla and lemon zest and whisk again.
- Sprinkle the cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda and salt over the butter mixture and whisk until well combined.
- Add the flour and mix just until all of the flour is incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Place ¼ cup of sugar in a small shallow bowl for rolling. Set aside.
- For consistent size cookies, use a retractable cookie scoop to portion out the dough into 2-3 tablespoon portions. Roll each portion into a ball in the palm of your hands then roll each ball in the sugar bowl to coat. Place the sugar coated balls on the cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes OR until cookies are a light golden brown. Don’t overtake if you like soft chewy interiors. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Repeat baking for 2nd sheet. Store in an airtight container or freeze. Thaw before serving.
Carolyne says
I’m also asking for the lovely labels-!
Love, love, LOVE your blog posts❤️ Your recipes are yummy and the scriptures you leave at the bottom of each one is so encouraging. Thanks for brightening each day. ~Carolyne
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, Carolyne! We'll be happy to send the labels.
Lynda says
These cookies are fabulous! I would love to have the pdf! Thanks Chris, and Happy New Year!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, we'll send them now, Lynda!
Laurel says
Why do you bake each cookie sheet separately? If my oven can hold two cookie sheets, can I bake them at the same time? I also use salted butter for my baking!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Laurel, I find baking cookies on the middle rack yields the best results but it will definitely work to bake two sheets at a time and switch them out halfway through.
Janet says
I started following your blog just a few weeks ago and I love it! I love your photography, helpful hints, Bible verses and songs you're listening too...it's like a moment of praise in the middle of my day. This cookie recipe looks delicious and will be trying it when I get a couple lemons! We have an empty cookie tin to return to our daughter and will fill it with these cookies for them. Yes, I'd like the labels, please. I'm originally a Wisconsin girl also...but transported to Minnesota, few culture shocks with that move except going from "bubblers" to "drinking fountains"!
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! That took us awhile too, Janet!
So happy you've enjoyed our site as well as the Scriptures and songs. I love your description of "a moment of praise..." That's my goal 💕
We'll send the labels now!
Kathy says
They look so yummy! I love lemon and would like to send some to my granddaughters at college. Their roommates love my "Care Packages". Please send me the labels for them. Thank you so much!
Chris Scheuer says
Oh, how fun! I know there's a lot of excitement when a package arrives from you! We'll send the labels now, Kathy!
Debra says
Can't wait to try these...would love the pdf file so I can give these to my friends and family.
Thank you...
Chris Scheuer says
They'll make a wonderful gift. We'll send the labels now.
Paula Jenkins says
Please send pdf! Thanks!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure! They're coming your way, Paula!
Tina Vanderhorst says
I always get raves when I make one of your dishes / desserts! I refer so many of my friends to your website. I would enjoy receiving the sweet labels 🙂 Thank you for sharing one of the gifts God has given you with us.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Tina! I'm so happy you've enjoyed our recipes. We'll be happy to send the labels 🥰
Liz Hager says
Thank you for your blog!
I discovered it through a link from a foodie on Ocracoke Island, NC who was recommending your recipe for the rosemary pecan raincoast crackers.
Small world and glad to have discovered you.
Please send labels for the lemon cookies.
God Bless,
Liz
Chris Scheuer says
That's so awesome, Liz! So happy you've enjoyed the blog. We'll send the labels now!
Jane says
Love lemons!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much - please send me the label file.
Chris Scheuer says
You're welcome, Jane! The labels are coming your way!
Siana says
Delish! Yes I would love the labels for these lemon cookies
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Siana!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Siana, just tried to send you the labels but the email was returned. Perhaps you typed a letter wrong in your email address. If you resend it, we'll be happy to try again.
Siana says
Would love the labels, try sending them again to
sianak@gmail.com
Chris Scheuer says
Ok, Siana!
Tami Young says
I would love the file for the Lemon Cookie label! They look delicious! Can't wait to try and share them!
Blessings to you today!
Tami
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Tami! The labels should be in your inbox shortly!
Cathy says
Love lemon - love the Scripture.
Thanks so much - could I please, also, have the label file.
Blessings (it's a gray day here - this will add some sunshine!)
Chris Scheuer says
Yay, that makes me happy. I love both too 💕 These cookies will add some sunshine. The labels are coming your way!
Joan Drzewiecki says
These look great! Can’t wait to try them!
Yes please to the labels. Love your scriptures reading in each email. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Joan, Send the labels now! So happy you enjoy the Scriptures! God's Word truly "never comes back void"!
Nancy says
Thank you for the wonderful lemon cookie recipe, as my family loves lemon cookies, please send me your labels!
Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
Hope they enjoy them, Nancy. The labels are coming your way!
Diane Scott says
Deliscious cookies. I would love to have the labels. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Diane! We'll send them now!
Ashley Shaw says
Lemons make everything better! Would love the labels. Thank you !
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, send them now, Ashely!
Bernice says
Sounds delish! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes & helpful information about each recipe. Sending Happy New Year wishes to you & family !
Thank you for offering labels- yes- would love labels!
Chris Scheuer says
Happy New Year to you, Bernice!
Diane O'Neill says
I love lemon (especially your lemon curd) so can't wait to try these. Labels please.
Chris Scheuer says
Hope you enjoy them, Diane!
Michele Francois says
Lemons are my favourite- please send labels!
Chris Scheuer says
We'll be happy to send them, Michele!
Christina b says
love to have the label PDF
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending them now, Christian!
Charlotte Moore says
Oh mercy me! Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. I am afraid if I made these I would OI (over indulge). haha!! My husband is not crazy about lemon so...... It would not be good to have these in the house. They look so yummy!
Chris Scheuer says
They are kind of dangerous, Charlotte 🥰
Carolyn Morrison says
Happy New Year! Could I have the labels for the Crinkly Crackly Lemon Sugar Cookies, please?
Thank you and thank you especially for the verses you add each time, I love to read them, they mean so much.
Chris Scheuer says
Happy New Year, Carolyn! So happy you love the Scriptures 💕 We'll send the labels now!
Jeanie says
Labels please. Love your recipes, love your website!
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Jeanie, the labels are on the way!
Margaret says
These cookies sound just what I need today, -21 outside. I would love the labels, please
Chris Scheuer says
BRRRRRRRR, I think you do need some cookies, Margaret! Sending the labels now!