Lemon Sugar Pastel Cookies (Printer-Friendly)

Soft lemon cookies and pastel glaze bring bright flavors and vibrant colors to any spring dessert table.

# 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 to 3 tablespoons milk, whole or 2%
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - Pastel food coloring: pink, blue, yellow, or green

# Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Bright lemon flavor and a pastel glaze look gorgeous on any spring table—this is a not-so-secret showstopper.
  • The dough is forgiving enough for bakers of any skill level, and the cookies stay soft for days without losing that zing.
02 -
  • If you rush the creaming or skip sifting the powdered sugar, your cookies won't have the dreamy texture you're hoping for.
  • Flattening the dough balls evenly means you won't end up with wobbly cookies—trust me, I've learned by baking lopsided batches more than once.
03 -
  • Bake one trial cookie first—adjust baking time if needed before committing to the whole batch.
  • Use vanilla bean paste instead of extract for a nuanced bakery flavor that'll surprise everyone.
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