Lemon Sugar Cookies Pastel (Printable)

Tender lemon sugar cookies topped with pastel glaze, perfect for spring occasions.

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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tangy lemon glaze whispers of spring, making each bite bright and fresh.
  • These cookies look irresistibly pretty on any dessert table—they're as much decoration as they are dessert.
02 -
  • Chilling the dough isn&apo;t necessary, but skipping the parchment means stuck cookies—I've scraped too many off bare pans.
  • Don&apo;t overdo the milk in the glaze: a runny glaze slides right off and won&apo;t set prettily.
03 -
  • Don&apo;t skip the zest: it&apo;s what makes the lemon flavor linger.
  • A smidge of lemon extract in the glaze deepens the citrus without overpowering.
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