• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Kitchen Docs
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cakes and Cookies

    Easy Cut Out Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe | Christmas Edition

    Published: Dec 23, 2020 by Vaishali · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Adding a fresh twist to the classic cut out sugar cookie, this recipe of lemon sugar cookie will be a great addition to your cookie recipe collection. Easy to roll out and with a simple glaze idea that will brighten up your cookie spread.

    Jump to Recipe

    If you love all the recipes that I share on the blog, please join me on Instagram. I do a lot of cooking videos on Instagram and other fun stuff. We have a great TKD community there so please come join us! If Facebook is your thing, head here and I promise, you’ll love it!

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    LemonSugarCookies_Closeup_Top_Redandgreen

    I did not grow up baking cookies but it is a tradition that my family and me have grown to love. For the past few years, we have baked and decorated cookies around the holidays and have completely enjoyed it. Every year, we try to add some new recipes that we like to our cookie boxes and these experimental lemon sugar cookies were the surprise hit this year. The first batch we made was a little low on the lemon flavor but we amped it up in subsequent batches to bring you this perfect lemon sugar cookie recipe.

    Blank Form (#3)

    Get this recipe in your inbox.
    Share your email and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy regular doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!

    The sugar cookie

    My this recipe of cut out sugar cookies is really the easiest, perfect cookie recipe. Soft, chewy, sweet, buttery with a perfect glaze and a design that you can customize. Why mess with it then, you ask? It is actually not messing with the recipe but taking it to a different level and adding a new flavor profile. This lemon sugar cookie recipe is a fun and festive take on the classic sugar cookie that is, indeed the best. 

    LemonSugarCookie_Cutouts

    The Lemon Sugar Cookie

    The recipe is pretty much the same as my other cut out sugar cookie recipe. The changes that I have made include taking out the almond extract and adding lemon juice and lemon zest. The glaze on this cookie is phenomenal. Addition of lemon juice to confectioner’s sugar gives the glaze that distinct lemon flavor that completes the character of this cookie. Buttery, lemony cookie with a slightly tangy, sweet glaze. And don’t even get me started on how easy this design is though I know it looks pretty daunting. While you can make these cookies in any shape, I thought that it’s the season to crack out the star cookie cutters (or stocking cookie cutters will be real cute too). So here are some lemon-flavored sugar cookies with red and green-marbled icing to get into the spirit of the holidays.

     LemonSugarCookies_GreenGlaze_Inabowl

    Easy Recipe:

    I have to admit that for most of my baking recipes, the first step is Plan Ahead! Because I believe in room temperature eggs and butter. But not for this one! Which makes this recipe even easier and another bonus - there is no chilling time like this cookie recipe. Double the fun and no planning ahead! So when craving hits, you can make this recipe right away. I mean - is that a major plus or what!

    LemonSugarCookie_Closeup_RedGlaze

    Here’s your printable recipe card:

    LemonSugarCookies_MainImage_Top_Redandgreen

    Easy Cut Out Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe

    Vaishali
    Adding a fresh twist to the classic cut out sugar cookie, this recipe of lemon sugar cookie will be a great addition to your cookie recipe collection. Easy to roll out and with a simple glaze idea that will brighten up your cookie spread.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36 cookies
    Calories 128 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Dough:

    • 3 cups All-purpose flour + more for dusting
    • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Butter or 2 sticks, cold and cut into chunks
    • 1 Egg large
    • ¾ teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 1 Lemon zested and juiced
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    For the glaze:

    • 1.5 cups Confectioners’ sugar
    • 2 tablespoon Milk or half-and-half
    • 1.5 tablespoon Lemon juice
    • Red and green gel food coloring

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C.
    • In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream sugar and butter at medium speed. Mix the flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl, set aside.
    • To the butter and sugar mixture, add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest and juice and mix in on low speed.
    • Gradually add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl.
    • Transfer the dough out on a floured kitchen counter, the dough will be crumbly, so knead it together with your hands just a little bit.
    • Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about ¼″ to ⅜″ thick, and cut into desired shapes (stars in this case). If you do not have a shaped cookie cutter, you could also use a glass jar or cup to cut a circular shape.
    • Place on parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let sit a few minutes on the cookie sheet, and then transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely.
    • While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk all glaze ingredients except the food coloring until smooth. Take another bowl and divide the glaze into two parts.
    • Drip a few drops of gel food coloring on top of glaze in each bowl, then swirl with the tip of a paring knife for a marbled effect.
    • Dip the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting any excess drip off, then place on a wire rack to set for 15 minutes before serving or packing.

    Notes

    For more distinct marbling for all the cookies, add a tablespoon of glaze into a separate bowl for each color and make a lighter shade of the food color. Then add a few drops of this to the glaze bowl along with a few drops of straight up gel color.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 166IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    LemonSugarCookies_MainImage_Top_Redandgreen

    If you make these Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies, please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from you guys. And if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and Facebook! I love to look through your creations!!

    Love – Vaishali

    Key Recipe Tools and Ingredients:

    Stand Mixer: Cookie Sheets:

    Silicon Baking Mat: Cookie Cutters: Gel Colors:

    Cooling Rack:

    More Flavorful Cakes and Cookies

    • Slice of carrot cake in a blue ceramic plate with a golden fork with some shredded carrots and pecan pieces in the background.
      Southern Carrot Cake Loaf with Pineapple
    • A marbled chocolate and orange loaf cake sliced and arranged on a white rectangular ceramic platter with slices of orange along the sides of the platter for garnish.
      Easy Marble Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake
    • Chocolate-Chip-Zucchini-Muffins_Sliced_Closeup_FI_scaled
      Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
    • Easy_Biscotti_Recipe_FI
      Easy Biscotti Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bright Snow Sayram

      December 12, 2023 at 7:34 am

      That looks delicious and easy to do with your simple steps. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        December 19, 2023 at 12:52 am

        Thank you. I'm glad you found the instructions helpful.

        Reply
    2. Hari

      December 12, 2023 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      I love this cookie recipe. Although I am not the fan of lemon flavor, this looks enticing and will serve as a wonderful dessert for the holiday celebration.

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        December 19, 2023 at 12:51 am

        Thanks, Hari. Yes, the lemon flavor in this cookie is mild yet very refreshing and cuts the sweetness. I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    3. Desiree Meeler

      December 11, 2023 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      I always love lemon sugar cookies! These are very pretty and look so yummy. Can't wait to try this one 😋

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        December 11, 2023 at 8:49 pm

        Thanks Desiree. I hope you like it.

        Reply
    4. KEVIN FOODIE

      December 11, 2023 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      The way you decorate these cookies is very creative. They look festive. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        December 11, 2023 at 8:48 pm

        and so easy!!!

        Reply
        • Quotidian Tales

          December 11, 2023 at 8:52 pm

          5 stars
          Yummm.

          Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Vaishali!

    Welcome! I am so excited to cook and talk life with you. Here, you will find my kitchen journal full of mostly healthyish recipes that are family friendly, use seasonal and fresh ingredients, plant forward, packed with healing Indian spices and indulgent desserts.

    More about me

    Spring Recipes

    • Close up of creamy risotto with asparagus and peas in a white ceramic bowl.
      Easy No-stir Spring Risotto with Asparagus and Peas
    • A lentil and roasted vegetable salad with spinach and feta cheese served in a white and blue ceramic bowl against a white marbled background.
      Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta and Greek Dressing
    • Aloo Gajar Mutter – A quick stir-fry of potatoes, carrots and peas with dry Indian spices
    • Slices of Citrus Scented Carrot Cranberry Loaf Cake
      Citrus Scented Carrot Cranberry Loaf Cake
    • Turmeric keto cauliflower rice recipe that comes together in one pot in less than 15 minutes. A great low carb alternatice to rice.
      Turmeric Cauliflower Rice or Gobhi Kutra
    • Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Carrot soup with turmeric
      Instant Pot Carrot and Lentil Soup

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Ravioli in Creamy Garlic and Spinach White Sauce
      Ravioli in Creamy Garlic and Spinach “White” Sauce
    • BestEverCinnamonRolls_FI
      Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
    • IcedProteinCoffee
      Easy Iced Protein Coffee | Latte, Vegetarian, Make it Vegan
    • VegetablesinCreamSauce_Tandoori_FI
      Vegetables in Spiced Cream Sauce | Easy, Tandoori
    • Banana pudding with a vanilla wafer on top in a blue and white ceramic plate on a blue background.
      Easy Banana Pudding Recipe (No Bake)
    • Blueberry Cobbler Recipe_Featured Image
      Easy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Kitchen Docs

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.