This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
If you love lemon cookies, you'll flip over these fabulous Lemon and White Chocolate Sugar Cookies! My husband says they're so good you could "charge admission" for them!
I've been on a quest. A quest that's led me down lots of dead ends and one way streets. But I've finally found my way, and I'm super excited. Scott says the final result (these Lemon and White Chocolate Sugar Cookies) is so good that I should "charge admission ..."
The search I've been on, for the last week, was for a delicious lemon and white chocolate chip cookie. I tried googling for a recipe, but didn't see anything that looked really great. I just knew it would be a wonderful combination, so I started trying out various popular lemon cookie recipes and adding white chocolate.
I should have bought stock in white chocolate chips and lemons before I got started, as I sure went through a LOT of both of them.
I learned, with the first batch, that my hunch was correct: lemon and white chocolate is a match made in heaven. But there were lots of problems with all of my test cookie versions: too runny, too flat, too soft, too time-consuming, too ugly...
I also went through several other non-lemon cookie recipes, trying to add different combinations of lemon zest, juice and/or extract, along with the white chocolate. No go. While they all tasted decent, none of them were exactly what I wanted: a cookie that was delicious, with lots of bright lemon flavor, pretty to look at, chewy in the center and crisp on the outer edges. I thought a few little crinkles and crackles would be nice too.
Finally I got the idea to adapt one of our favorite cookies ever; these Double Chocolate Sugar Cookies.
I had to do a fair amount of tinkering, but it's just right now; and it only took one bite for Scott to declare, "You should charge admission for these!".
I served one of the earlier versions of these lemon and white chocolate cookies at a very special party over the weekend. Although it wasn't the final edition of the cookies, it didn't seem to matter to the party-goers. It was a party that's become a long-standing tradition here at The Café - we call it a "Middle of the Night Party".
The "invitees" are always the same, our three granddaughters - although they never know that they're invited until minutes before the party starts. You see, they live in England and whenever they visit here in the States or we spend time with them in London, we throw one of these crazy parties.
This is how it works. We set our alarm for the wee hours of the morning. Scott and I get up and then, one by one, wake up the girls. We gently tap them on the head till they arouse a bit. Then we ask the big question: "Do you want to go back to sleep OR do you want to have a middle of the night party?". The answer is always the same - a very decisive: "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT PARTY!".
We lead them downstairs to a little table that's been set up with fun china, candles, pretty glassware, colorful napkins etc. There's always a special treat and little candies along with glasses of cold milk, lemonade or hot chocolate. We talk, laugh, play a short game and sometimes, even light sparklers out on the front porch.
We also sing. It used to be just fun random kids songs, but last summer Papa Scott added a new spin to the beloved tradition. He wrote a song called "Middle of the Night Party". The girls loved it immediately and learned the words quickly, deciding on solos for themselves. It's now part of the tradition and a song you'll hear them singing; even when it's not the middle of the night!
I videoed them with my iPhone this time and thought you might enjoy it.
I'm thinking Papa and the girls are the ones who should charge admission...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ej2xK6O5Uk&feature=youtu.be
We took our little family from England to the airport on Sunday, since it was time for them to head back. It was a wonderful visit and our Middle of the Night Party will be a treasured memory during the long months ahead when we're apart.
Whether you're having a party, or just want to celebrate an ordinary day, these delicious Lemon and White Chocolate Sugar Cookies are sure to be a hit! Oh, and if you decide to charge admission, cut me in on the profits!

- 2 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- zest of 1 medium size lemon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 14 tablespoons butter
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 large egg plus one egg yolk
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or 6 ounces white chocolate
- ½ cup Demera or Turbinado sugar
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
-
Place chocolate chips (or white chocolate) on a cutting board and, with a large, sharp knife, coarsely chop them. Set aside.
-
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, lemon zest, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
-
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave on high power. This should take 1-1 ½ minutes, depending on the microwave. Allow the butter to cool for 5 minutes. It should warm to the touch, not hot. Add the sugar, vanilla and lemon extract. Mix with a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon until smooth.
-
Add the egg and egg yolk and mix until well combined.
-
Add flour mixture and stir just until combined and flour is incorporated. Mixture will be thick. Add white chocolate and mix to combine. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
-
Place Demera (or Turbinado) sugar in a shallow bowl. Remove dough from refrigerator, scoop up and roll into balls, about 2 tablespoons for each cookie. I like to use an ice cream scoop. Roll the balls in the Demera sugar and place on prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with a bit more Demera sugar.
-
Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until they have puffed and are slightly golden at edges, about 12-14 minutes. Be careful not to over bake the cookies or they will be dry. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Demera or Turbinado sugar is a coarse natural sugar. It is also sometimes labeled Sugar in the Raw. You'll find it at most larger grocery stores in the baking aisle near the regular granulated sugar. I actually like the Turbinado sugar better for these particular cookies as it's just a little bit lighter in color than Demera but either one will work.
ALYSON C NAGY says
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Chris Scheuer says
About 2 dozen, depending on size of course.
Barbara Kadar says
Do you think this recipe would work for rolled and cut out cookies? I hope so because it sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing.
Barbara Kadar
Chris Scheuer says
I'm not sure about that Barbara as I haven't tried rolling them out. I'm a little lazy when it comes to cookies 🙂 Let me know if you try it!
Di says
Can they be frozen ?
Chris Scheuer says
Yes they can. Thanks Di!
Patricia Holub says
i can't wait to make these yummy looking cookies. Could you please clarify the butter, it says 14 Tablespoons, sounds like a lot of butter? Perhaps that is why Karen said her cookies spread out and were flat? Thank you for sharing!
Patty
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Patricia, I adapted this recipe from a Cook's Illustrated recipe. The 14T of butter is correct. I didn't have any trouble with them spreading.
Karen says
I tried the lemon and white chocolate cookies this morning and did not have success. I made them following the recipe exactly, but they were spread out and flat. Any ideas about what I could have done wrong. I did refrigerate the dough, but maybe longer time in the refrigerator would have helped. They spread too much to salvage, but they smelled wonderful. Would like to try again, if I figure out what went wrong.
Debbie B says
The cookies were so easy to make and absolutely delicious! My son and daughter-in-law said they were the best cookies I have ever made. Thank you so much for the recipe. Loved the girls singing. I don't have grandchildren so I thank you for sharing your wonderful family with us.
Carla says
They are adorable. How absolutely precious. Oh my I just can't get over how adorable they are.
I wish I had something like this with my grandchildren, but alas do not.......
What a great song Grandpa wrote. It sounded like there was another little one waiting in the wings to join
in the song party. I am looking forward to making your cookies.
Grandchildren are a special treat. What a wonderful memory you are making.....
Thanks for sharing.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Carla, I feel like we have to appreciate every minute with these kids, they are growing up way too fast!
Beverley says
thank you for sharing your precious memories with us along with your delicious recipes. Photographs are always so wonderful. Care to share what lens and camera you use? xoxo