Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies are a delicious, soft, and tangy cookie made with a cream cheese base and a hint of fresh lemon juice and zest. The cream cheese adds a rich, soft texture to the cookie, while the lemon provides a refreshing, zesty punch that makes these cookies irresistible. The optional lemon glaze on top adds an extra burst of flavor, making these cookies the ultimate treat for anyone who loves a combination of creamy and citrusy.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Lemon Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
2. Chill the Dough:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
3. Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly puffed. The cookies should not brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Lemon Glaze (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh 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).
- Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled cookies. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
For an extra burst of citrus, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice. You can also add white chocolate chips or a sprinkle of lemon zest on top before baking for a fun twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe