This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These award-winning cookies will make you a cookie addict. Lemon Crinkle Cookies are chewy, soft, and bursting with hints of lemon in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I made this Lemon Crinkle Cookie recipe for a recipe contest and won! Approved by all who taste them, these lemon cookies are soft, but still slightly crunchy, tart, but still really sweet. I bet you have all the ingredients too. Easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and done in 30 minutes, this recipe is made for the novice chef.
I think we all can agree that I am a lemon lover. I love love love lemon ridiculously. It’s in the genes. My Mom is the same way. Lemon and I are buddies, especially when it comes to lemon desserts–I have made a Lemon Cream Pie that’s to die for. Blueberry Lemon Coffee Cake Muffins? Oh, mama. And traditional but Perfect Lemon Bars!
Ingredients Needed for Lemon Crinkle Cookies
As said above, Lemon Crinkle Cookies use simple, everyday ingredients to make the most delicious lemony treat. You should have most if not all of these ingredients already on hand.
- Butter – salted or unsalted butter-use your preference. Just make sure to use real butter, not margarine for these cookies. Some readers have had problems making these and it’s because they used margarine.
- Granulated Sugar – to sweeten.
- Vanilla Extract – this is a super nice complimenting flavor to the lemon.
- Egg – for structure and texture.
- Fresh Lemon Zest – a lot of commenters said that they’d prefer more lemon flavor, so feel free to add in more zest.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – If you can find Meyer lemons, use those, but you can use store-bought lemon juice if you like. It’s just not as fresh.
- Salt – balances out the sweet and sour.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – this gives the cookies their rise and texture.
- All-Purpose Flour – this fills the cookie out and gives them some structure.
- Granulated Sugar + Powdered Sugar – rolling the dough in both of these sugars puts the crinkle onto these lemon cookies.
Variations
This post was originally posted in 2011! Since then I’ve received over 600 comments about how amazing these lemon cookies are. In some of these comments, I’ve noticed people putting their own spin on things, which I love! You are making these cookies for you, your family and friends so make it your way! I thought I’d share some of my favorite renditions of Lemon Crinkle Cookies below.
White Chocolate Chips. Add some creamy chocolatey-ness to your lemon crinkle cookies by mixing in white chocolate chips. Yum!
Gluten-Free. Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free. Simply replace regular flour with your favorite, gluten-free flour blend (same amount needed). So easy, so thank you faithful and adventurous readers who did the experimenting for us.
Glaze. Either top with a simple vanilla glaze or with a lemon glaze. Mix together milk, powdered sugar and your choice of flavoring.
Different Citrus. You can use an entirely different citrus to make these cookies. Think of the possibilities. Lime, Orange, or Grapefruit flavored crinkle cookies.
How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies
As written, this recipe makes about 24 cookies. Feel free to double the recipe for gifting and sharing! For full recipe details including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is step-by-step instructions for making these award-winning cookies:
1. Preheat Oven + Prep Baking Sheets
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease light colored baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Or cover with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar together using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice. Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again.
Switching to a rubber spatula, stir in the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder) slowly until just combined. Scrape sides of the bowl and mix again briefly.
3. Roll Cookie Dough Balls in Both Sugars
Pour granulated sugar onto a large plate. Pour powdered sugar onto a separate large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll it first in the granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar. Place cookie ball on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
4. Bake
Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely golden brown and cookies look matte (not melty or shiny). Remove from oven and cool lemon crinkle cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Pro Tip: If using a non stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.
Storage Directions for Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Allow cookies to cool to room temperature. Place in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3-4 days.
Make Ahead: Luckily this cookie dough freezes super well. This is a great way to make Lemon Crinkle Cookies ahead of time.
To freeze the dough, simply follow the directions, including rolling the dough in powdered sugar. Don’t bake! Instead flash-freeze on a parchment paper-lined plate. After an hour, stick all the dough balls in a freezer-safe bag. You should be able to keep these in the freezer for about 2 months before you want to use them.
To bake from frozen, put them directly on the cookie sheet and pop them in your preheated oven. Sometimes the cookies need an extra minute or 2 to bake correctly, so check them often!
You can also freeze these cookies already baked. Allow to cool to room temperature and place in a freezer safe, airtight bag and into the freezer for up to 2 months.
FAQ About Lemon Crinkle Cookies
A common problem when making these Lemon Crinkle Cookies is that they flatten out way too much! Why?
Butter.
This recipe calls for softened butter, not melted butter. The best way to get softened butter is to plan ahead. A couple of hours before you make these cookies set 1/2 cup of butter on the counter. As it sits there is will soften.
But if you are in a pinch you can microwave butter to soften it instead. Microwave in 5-second intervals rotating your cube of butter each time. Please please please use caution when softening this way. It can easily go from solid to melted in seconds! And in turn, your cookies will spread way too much.
If you already used melted butter instead of softened butter, and your lemon crinkle cookie dough is sticky don’t worry! You have two options to fix this.
Pop your dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to solidify the dough a bit.
OR
Add in small amounts of flour until your cookie dough comes together better. Definitely use my photo of the cookie dough above to base your cookie dough off of.
A lot of you have mentioned to me that these cookies don’t spread. This problem happens because there is too much flour in your cookie dough!
Fluff up your flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and then level the top. That is the correct way to measure flour and how I measured it for this recipe. So be careful when measuring and you’ll have perfect lemon crinkle cookies.
More Cookie Recipes to Try!
- Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Cookie Recipe
- Double Chocolate M&M Cookies
- Monster Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies
- Classic Coconut Macaroons
More Favorites from Lauren’s Latest
- Dry Turkey Brine
- Best Crepes Recipe
- Saltine Christmas Crack
- PB Energy Balls
- Strawberry Pavlova Dessert
- Best Ever Beef Stew
- Hashbrown Sausage Casserole
- Christmas Salad Pomegranate
- Parmesan Bites
The lemon lovers in your life are going to fall in love with these chewy lemon cookies! The printable recipe card is below. Happy Baking, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
for the coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a light colored* baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Or cover with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla extract, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice. Scrape sides and mix again.
- Switching to a rubber spatula, stir in flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder slowly until just combined. Scrape sides of the bowl and mix again briefly.
- Pour granulated sugar onto a large plate. Pour powdered sugar onto a separate large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll it first in the granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar. Place cookie ball on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte (not melty or shiny). Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
[…] Adapted from Lauren’s Latest. […]
[…] Adapted from Lauren’s Latest. […]
I just baked these cookies and they are so very delicious! They turned out perfectly. I am taking them to a reception and know they will be gone in a flash. This is a recipe I will make over and over. Thank you, Lauren!
SO very delicious! Thanks for a great recipe! I shared my results on my blog: http://butyoucancallmecrazy.blogspot.com/2012/04/lemon-crinkle-cookies.html. Thanks again!
[…] Recipe via Lauren’s Lastest. […]
Made these today. I have only baked one dozen so far. They are delicious but I can never seem to get crackle cookies to crack. So I have some rolled and sugared and sitting in my refrigerator for 30 minutes and then I will pop them in the oven and see how they work then
[…] The recipe is below – enjoy!Photography by Floridian WeddingsOrange Crinkle Cookies(Adapted from this recipe from Lauren's Latest)Yield: 2-3 dozen small cookiesIngredients: 1/2 cups butter, softened 1 cup […]
Let us know!!!
These are AMAZING. Lauren, you are a lifesaver. I needed a tasty springtime cookie to make for a bake sale and these turned out perfectly! I am adding them to my collection of recipes. 🙂
Made these today…I made a lemon glaze to put on the top of them. Powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest…they were delish and the glaze added that little extra zing! =)
I made these and they are delicious…but mine don’t look as pretty as yours. Mine are puffier any idea why?
Maybe a touch too much flour. Mine get pouffy in the oven but once I pull them out and cool them on the baking sheet first, they shrink right down.
[…] Source: adapted from Lauren’s Latest […]
Great recipe! I have never been able to make lemon cookies, until this receipe.
I followed the recipe, but I was scared that the butter and sugar wouldn’t blend since that’s a common issue for me.
I allowed the butter to get to room temp, then I stuck it in the fridge for 5 mins so it would become “cool”.
I beat the butter in the mixer till it came apart. Then I slowly added sugar and left it alone till it came together evenly.
Then I continued her recipe.
I added the egg and beat it on 1 (kitchen aide mixer)
I zested an entire lemon (a hard lemon!! Since it makes the zest fast. Then I squeezed it and set it aside.
I slowly added the liquid ingredients then the powder ingredients.
I baked it for 12-14 mins at 350.
Just tried making these cookies and the batter was really runny, I couldn’t roll them into balls at all. I tripled checked my measurements, too. Any idea what went wrong?
To Erica,
Tthis cookie dough is very soft, by design. That’s what makes the cookies spread and have a soft chewy texture. Once you roll the blob in icing sugar it should stay together in a very soft ball. I think you may have been on the right track just lost faith in the process?
These cookies are awesome! I added some lemon frosting for good measure, because why not 🙂 I blogged about them here: http://thefoodcharlatan.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/lemon-crinkle-cookies-with-lemon-frosting/
[…] Source: Lauren’s Latest […]
[…] Source: Lauren’s Latest […]
These have quickly become my go to cookies. I’ve made them for several occasions and they’re always a hit!
I came across these on Pinterest, I’ve made Chocolate Crinkle Cookies before, but not lemon, so I tried them. So good! I’m so happy to have an easy non-chocolate cookie to add to my repertoire! Thanks for posting!
Also, I will also be posting this recipe on my blog. Of course with a link here!
I made this cookies and they were very yummy. I hope that you don’t mind that I posted on my blog giving you total credit for these delights and links to your fabulous blog..
[…] Baking…Lemon Crinkle Cookies […]
Should I chill the dough before baking? This recipe doesn’t say to although other recipes tell me to do this.
No need to chill the dough.
These cookies are amazing! I love most anything sweet and lemony, but these cookies are a new fave.
Hi, I made these cookies and they did not flatten out like the picture shows they still look like balls. 🙂 Did I do something wrong. I followed the recipe exactly as printed. Did I need to flatten before baking and should I shake off excess powdered sugar? The balls taste good just very doughy.
THANKS!
The only thing I can think of is the flour. Sometimes if you don’t fluff your flour first you can pack it in too tight, therefore adding too much. That is so strange! Sorry they didn’t work! :S
I suggest you check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer. My SIL always asks for my cookie recipes and swears she does everything correctly, yet EVERY SINGLE BATCH comes out looking almost like raw dough, still in the shape they were when she dropped them on the sheet, no matter what kind of cookie she tries. After a few years of this, I came across someone with similar woes and she found out her oven was about 20 degrees (F) off (too cool). I told my SIL and when she checked hers it was 45 (FORTY FIVE!!!!) degrees (F) too cool. This means that the chemistry of the butters, sugars and other ingredients are not reaching critical temperatures to make them react correctly. Now her cookies are beautiful!!
[…] mas essa receita eu descobri no site Lauren’s Latest fiz e amei. Como ela mesmo diz foi o melhor cookies de limão que já comi. Eu, como amei a […]
So I just made these tonight, and they didn’t turn out quite right. 🙁 Do you use real butter? I always use margarine, Blue Bonnet to be exact, and did with these as well. The dough was really soft and even after freezing until able to make a ball and roll in the sugar, they just flattened out and all connected together. They also baked all the way through, so there was no “mock lemon bar experience”. Again… 🙁 the butter/margarine thing is the only thing I can think of that might have caused this, but I wanted to ask first.
On the bright side, they were still really good (aka I still ate them to the point of a tummy ache), and I couldn’t stay out of the dough!
YES! That has to be the problem!! I used/typically always use real butter. So, try them again with the real stuff!
I’ve finally gotten the chance to make them again with real butter, and that was definitely the problem! They came out perfect and are so good! …and the dough is… Well, after making the last cookie and scraping the remaining dough in my scooper, I realized that the exact amount I had already eaten would have made it a full cookie’s worth of dough. I couldn’t have a mini cookie, nor could I waste it, so… Admittedly I ate a whole cookie in the form of dough. I don’t regret it 🙂
[…] Lemon Crinkle Cookies (via Lauren’s Latest) This entry was posted in biscuits by Sarah. Bookmark the permalink. […]
I baked a double batch of these extraordinary cookies tonight and tho I am not a cookie freak…..these could make me a cookie freak!! Major cudos for the recipe and congrats on the award for them,,,,it:s well deserved. My daughter in law will really love doing these little beauties as she is the cookie queen in our family.
Thanks for sharing……
I am in a baking contest to make lemon blueberry cookies. Can I just fold in blueberries to these cookies? I’ve tried 4 different recipes for lemon blueberry cookies and none are lemony enough
I’ve never tried this recipe with blueberries, but you are welcome to try!
I just made these and they aren’t nearly as beautiful as yours. Mine never flattened. They are still little half domes. Maybe because I don’t have an electric mixer? I might have overworked the dough?
Mine are also like little half domes. Tasty, though.
Try reducing the flour a touch. That should do the trick 🙂
I do have an electric mixer and mine did not go flat either. Also I used parchment paper, middle rack, 350 degree new oven and could smell them burning after 8 minutes when I pulled them out. Bottoms are charred.
I think your oven might be too hot?! They shouldn’t be charred after 8 minutes.
[…] a resounding YES! in my case), then you have to make these cookies. I knew when I first saw the Lemon Crinkle Cookies (from Lauren’s Latest) on Pinterest that I would have to give them a try, and they […]
I just tried these cookies and although they were still very good they dis not have that yellow look to them and they were a lot smaller than your picture. Maybe I messed something up but I followed to a t. They did not make too many either. What happened???
I just made these & they were so good…YUMMY! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
I just made these cookies–yum!
Made these last week, they are my new obsession. I love anything lemon and these are definately top of the list, thanks again for sharing….having an awesome time exploring your blog. : )
These were an instant favorite!! Thanks for sharing. These are now at the top of the request list at work.
Hi, I’ve just made these cookies and reviewed them on my blog. I thought you might be interested 🙂
Thanks !
I think I’m in LOVE!!
Oh my gosh. I don’t usually leave comments but, oh my gosh, I stumbled across your site yesterday and found this recipe, made them when I got home from work and WOW! I made them small – 40 cookies – brought 30 of them to work and it’s just past 9:30 am and they are almost gone!! And there are only 8 people here today, and I haven’t had any….
I used all the zest off of one lemon which was more than 1 teaspoon and about 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. I will definitely add these to my list of favorite recipes.
Thanks!
I am so glad you commented because I wanted to add more but I was afraid it wouldnt work. So lemony!!
Agree…good cookie…I had Limes and they were great! Next time I will double the juice and the zest. Being we were in lockdown and without a mixer…I made these old school with a wooden spoon and a bowl. Dough was a bit denser so I made the balls…rolled in regular sugar (no powder in store) and smashed down with the bottom of a glass. They turned out great…baked 12 minutes in the Pacific NW. They had a crisp bottom and chewy center….big hit!
you can make powdered sugar super easily by blending sugar and corn starch!
This is THE lockdown cookie recipe. I am making them once a week in New York City. My daughter in Santa Fe is making them. My daughter in Boston is also making them. They are an East/West coast delight!
[…] post for today, I have some fun news! I was notified yesterday that I won a cookie contest with my Lemon Crinkles. If you haven’t made them, I would urge you to head to your kitchen. They really are tasty! […]
How can this recipe be adjusted for high altitude?
I haven’t really baked at a high altitude since I live at about 600 ft above sea level. Here’s a good link with lots of info on baking cookies and adjusting the recipe: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipe/high-altitude-baking.html . Hope that helps!
Hmmm, not sure what happened. The dough was the perfect consistency, and I added three times the zest and three times the juice..but they still taste dull with little lemon flavor! The texture is nice-soft and chewy and they look good with the crinkles. Just wished they tasted lemony! I will salvage with a lemon glaze 🙁
That was my experience too – I put in a lot of lemon zest (3 tsp? 1.5 lemons’ worth) and the cookies are nice but not that lemony. I’m hoping a lemon glaze won’t ruin their texture. :-/
Can I use Earth Balance (vegan) for these?
I’ve never tried them with Earth Balance so I can’t say one way or another how these would be, but I assume it would be fine?!
If only I had a lemon, I would be making these right now. What a cruel cruel world to be reading this on a Sunday, inaccessible to any lemons. These look divine!!!
I have a tree brimming with lemons. If you lived near me you could have as many as you want! But alas, I see you’re in Chicago.
Lauren, I tried the Lemon Crinkle cookies and they turned out tasty. I did not think I was going to add the vanilla, for I thought it would take away from the lemonie taste, but it worked out very well. I also had not came across a recipe that put powder sugar on before cooking, so I tried a few cookies without and the favorites were with the powdered sugar. I think my husband ate a dozen even before the 2nd batch came out of the over :).. Thanks for sharing
A heaping teaspoon of dough or tablespoon of dough? A teaspoon seems awfully small. In the picture there’s a cookie scoop which would be more like a tablespoon of dough.
OMG, one bite into the sweetness followed by the tart taste of lemon and I’m hooked! I used a heaping teaspoon of the dough and cookies are perfect. Doubled the recipe and got 6 1/2 dozen nice sized cookies! This recipe is a keeper. Thank you for sharing!
Love the flavor of these cookies, but mine didn’t “crinkle.” 😕 I’m sure it was “user error,” but can anyone suggest what I might have done wrong?
Arghhh, going to the gym late is awful for so many reasons.
These lemony cookies look wonderful. We are both on the same page – just whipped up a few batches over here too. Think it might be one of my favorites ever 🙂
These cookies sound so tasty. I love finding new recipes that use lemon. Thanks!
OOOH LEMON! I’ve got to try these!
Oh those cookies are stunning and looks so tasty!
Fantastic recipe!
I know what you mean by those insatiable cravings after an evening workout. These cookies look like they’d spark a craving at any time of day.
I LOVE these cookies! 🍋 These are the best lemon cookies EVER. Anytime I hang out with my dad he will ask if I brought any Lemon Crinkles. Lol.
my cookie dough got too sticky, is there a reason why?
How did you measure your flour? Sounds like you could have used a little more flour.
Same thing happened to me and I measure the flour properly. I even added more flour per this comment but still sticky and gooey. Not sure how you make balls with a sticky batter. Seriously confused how all these other people were able to make it work. Sucks because I was making these for a cookie swap and now I don’t even know how i can make balls out of this. mess. 🙁
I was looking for a simple recipe, this one is too simple for me. My coworkers will be the judge of this. While I thought I would get the measurement wrong, flour sugar, and egg.. I got the powder sugar part wrong. Drop the dough in there and cover it.
They look delicious!
[…] Lemon Crinkle Cookies – Lauren's Latest […]
I love lemon and can’t wait to try these…they look soooo good!
Shouldn’t it be 3 cups flour for 2 times the recipe? It says 2-1 cups.
ooh I don’t make enough lemon baked goods! these look perfect for spring!
I’m a lemon lover too and these do sound incredible!
Oh, I am definitely making these. I have to get lemon, I am out, but I do have fresh lime. hmmm, maybe I will try that flavor as well?
So good! I made these with better batter gluten free flour and added 1/2 tsp of lemon essential oil. With my smallest cookie scoop I got 18 huge cookies. Absolutely love this recipe and it will be my only lemon crinkle cookie now. Love the texture so much!! Thanks so much!
Oh and for people struggling to measure correctly,, I always do the math for the grams conversion to bake by weight. This works so well. And it always works out perfectly
mmm, tart, bright, happy sunshini-ness!!!
I made these already and they were delicious . I put a little twist to mine, after I get the dough rolled in powdered sugar, i push down the center of the cookie, making a well, and added a dash of fresh lemon juice!! (not to muchmaybe1/8 tsp) The Results were great . It added an extra zesty bite the cookie!
These sound amazing and I am going to make them for a benefit so I’m making several dozen , could I switch it up and use lime ?
Ooh, yes! That sounds delicious!
Oh yum! They are so cute too with their little wrinkles on top.
So far so good.
My main issue though with the recipe is it was not clear how to measure the flour – scoop or spoon?
My main issue with your site is all the videos. Like one video just followed me around everywhere, preventing me from even reading the recipe until I figured out that I could move the screen just a bit and find the close button. Too many ads, too much fluff.
If you let the site load for 5 seconds and press the close button on the video, it won’t follow you around. Also, the ads help me offer all of my recipes for free online. The annoyance of ads is a small price to pay to get everything for free.
I had no problems with the site and understand how ads on free sites help pay to offer free content. So I don’t complain, instead I say THANK YOU for this recipe that takes me back to when I lived in Santa Cruz, CA. There is a cookie store there that sells these lemon cookies of the devil LOL Now I can make them here now that I live in France!!!
I rent a house on beach st in aptos for a week every year are you talking about Gails bakery? My son lives in Croatia and he likes the chocolate crinkles I just love the seaside there so beautiful you are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
I was looking for a simple cookie this one was too simple for me.
To measure the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup. So you’re measuring it with the cup but instead of digging that into the flour, you use a spoon to gently place the flour into the cup
Hey, thank you for sharing this recipe. My only problem was that it was too sweet, is it possible if i lowered the amount of sugar??
This is my favorite cookie recipe! I used a whole lemon zest and juice, the cookies are so good! Thank you for the recipe!
I disliked this recipe. I try many different recipes to the word and number. the cookies do best when baked for 13 minutes. I have a thermometer inside the oven in addition to the oven thermometer, and they were so soft and raw after waiting 30 minutes for them to cool. these cookies are also unnecessarily sweet.
I had the same problem with the ads! Then when you “jump to recipe” it won’t go anywhere but vibrate in place as I try to scroll.
THE best cookies ever!!!!
These were so good! I added the juice and zest of a whole lemon and they were nice and lemony but not too strong. I will definitely be saving this recipe to make again in the future. So soft but a but chewy and I baked mine on a dark grey sheet on parchment paper for 10 mins and they were perfect. Thank you for the recipe.
Love the taste but mine were a little higher or I should say rounder on top so not many crinkles.
These are so yummy and easy to do.. Love lemon and they are soft inside.