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Really want to make cookies but don’t want to use 2000 ingredients? These lemon cookies use just 4 ingredients, and make the most wonderful treat! Keep reading to learn just how easy they are to make…
These super easy lemon cookies require just 4 ingredients and minimal effort to make. And no, one of those ingredients is NOT a boxed cookie mix! I’m talking, 4 REAL ingredients. These are still from scratch cookies!
Not quite as time absorbing as chewy chocolate chip cookies, but they’re still incredibly delicious! And they pack a real zesty lemony punch, just like lemon cream crumble bars!
Feel like you need to brush up on your baking skills and knowledge before attempting these lemon cookies? Check out baking for beginners to boost your confidence!
4 Ingredient Lemon Cookies – Step by Step Picture Recipe
Here is what you will need to make 20-22 cookies.
Ingredients
- 115g Unsalted Butter, Room Temp
- 60g Golden Caster Sugar
- 170g Plain Flour
- Zest and Juice of 1 x Lemon
- 50g White Chocolate, To Decorate (Optional)
Essential equipment
- 5.5cm Circular Cookie Cutter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C/170°C and line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or baking paper.
In either an electric stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric hand whisk, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (At least 3 minutes.)
Then add in the zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp of lemon juice and mix again briefly.
Next, add the flour into the bowl and, using a spatula, beat until it comes together to form a dough.
Tip the dough out onto your work surface and bring together to form a ball. Then between two sheets of baking paper (I find this way far easier and less messy) and roll out to 6mm/1/4″ thick.
Using your cutter, cut out as many circles as you can. Reroll any leftovers to the same thickness and cut out more circles. Repeat until there is no more dough left.
Transfer the cut cookies to a baking sheet lined with baking paper and pop them into the freezer for 10 minutes to chill. (This will help them hold their shape better in the oven.)
Place as many cookies as you can onto your prepared baking sheet without overcrowding and allowing for spreading between each one.
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just golden.
Allow to sit on the tray for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat until all the cookies are baked.
To Decorate (Optional)
The cookies will taste amazing as they are, but if you want to go the extra mile and decorate them, here’s how.
Break the white chocolate into a small bowl and melt in the microwave on half power in 10 second intervals. Stir well between each time until it’s melted and smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate into a disposable piping bag and snip the end. Pipe zig zags across all the cookies and allow to set at room temperature.
Store these beautiful Lemon Cookies in an airtight container (I prefer metal as they keep their crunch better) at room temperature and consume within 5-7 days.
It can’t get any easier than that can it?! I absolutely love lemon in all types of baking. These wonderful little delights are no exception. They’re absolutely delicious and as you can see, really easy to make! Seriously, what are you waiting for?
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About Emma Mason
Emma is a professional blogger. Utilising over 20 years of cooking experience, she’s passionate about making your life easier, one recipe at a time! Drawing on her 12+ year background in recipe research and development, photography, copy writing and marketing, Emma has turned kitchenmason.com into a successful career. Known as ‘the organisation queen’ among friends, she is passionate about creating easy to follow recipes that anyone can follow and enjoy. She lives in Nottingham (UK) with her husband, daughter and 2 naughty cats. In her spare time she can be found reading a good book, training at the dojo preparing for her black belt grading, or dreaming up the next crazy colour combo for her hair!
Jayne
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Can I ask I really like your shortbread biscuits could I just add the lemon to that recipe, I love using the cornflour for a perfect textured biscuit. Thank you.
Emma
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Hi Jayne. Yes you can! Just leave out the vanilla and add the lemon zest instead. I’d maybe skip adding the lemon juice too, if it’s the shortbread texture you’re after :) Emma x