Quick and Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Name: Quick and Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup powdered sugar for coating

Posted on December 10, 2025

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Hey there, my lovely friends! It’s Jennifer here, and today I’m so excited to share my go-to recipe for Lemon Crinkle Cookies! These delightful cookies come together in about 30 minutes and trade the fuss for a quick and easy baking experience that your family will absolutely love! Trust me, the tangy lemon flavor sprinkled with powdered sugar gives these cookies a sweet touch of sunshine that brightens any gloomy day. You can even switch up the ingredients depending on what you have on hand, a little bit of lemon here, a dash of zest there, and voilà!

Ingredients You Need for Lemon Crinkle Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour: This is your cookie’s foundation, giving it the perfect structure.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cookies puff up beautifully!
1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches to enhance the flavors.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: It adds that creamy richness, always use real butter, okay?
1 cup granulated sugar: For that sweet balance against the tangy lemon.
1/4 cup lemon juice: Fresh-squeezed is best for tons of flavor!
1 tablespoon lemon zest: This amplifies the lemon goodness!
1 large egg: It binds everything together seamlessly.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Because every good cookie deserves a hint of vanilla!
1/2 cup powdered sugar for coating: This is what gives these crinkle cookies their signature snowy finish.

A Few Ingredient Tips:

Flour: You can easily replace half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nutty twist.
Sugar: Brown sugar could be used in place of granulated sugar for deeper flavor.
Lemon: Frozen lemon juice works too, if you don’t have fresh on hand, but fresh is always best!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) the fragrant warmth is going to fill your home. What’s better than that?
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. It’s like creating a little cloud of dry goodness that’s so necessary, set aside.
In another bowl, grab that softened butter and granulated sugar and beat them together until light and fluffy. This might take a couple of minutes, but it’s so worth it. You’ll want to lick the beater!
Next, mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, egg, and vanilla extract. Combine it all so it’s well blended, oh my gosh, the smell is already divine!
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, folding them in until just incorporated. Overmixing = tough cookies, so we want softer, mouthwatering ones!
Now, the part that drives me a little nuts (but it’s going to be worth it) chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Patience is key here!
Once chilled, roll small portions of the dough into little balls, think about the size of a tablespoon. Then, coat each ball generously in powdered sugar. It looks so pretty and delicious!
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space because they will spread a bit.
Bake them for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. You want them to still be soft in the middle, so keep an eye on them!
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring your stunning crinkle cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. The transformation is magical!

A Personal Connection to Lemon Crinkle Cookies

This recipe is truly my go-to. When summer rolls around or even during those chilly autumn nights when I crave something cozy, these Lemon Crinkle Cookies are it! They’re comforting and so simple to whip up. Seriously, I’m a real sucker for that bright lemon flavor, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a cookie covered in powdered sugar? And the best part is that they’re adaptable! You can throw in whatever citrus you have, and it’ll still turn out delicious. Whether I’m making them for a family gathering or just to treat myself, these cookies never disappoint!

If you loved these Lemon Crinkle Cookies, be sure to check out my Berry Crumb Cake, my Easy Oreo Balls (Truffles), or my Easy Apple Valentine Tart!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

These Lemon Crinkle Cookies are ready in just 30 minutes, making it an easy treat you can whip up after a busy day. You can basically have these on your table before you know it!

Customizable

You can change up the flavor by swapping out the lemon for orange or lime, and adjust the zest and juice to your personal taste. Seriously, make it your own!

Crowd-Pleaser

Everyone in your family will be asking for seconds (or thirds). These cookies have that nostalgic comfort food vibe that reminds you of summer at grandma’s, even if you’re staying in for the evening.

Serving & Storage Tips

How to Serve This Lemon Crinkle Cookie

You can enjoy these cookies fresh out of the oven with a glass of cold milk, or pack them up for a lunchbox treat! They go perfectly alongside a scoop of lemon sorbet for a double lemon dessert experience.

Storage

These cookies will keep nicely in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll dry out if you leave them uncovered, so keep those tasty little things locked up!

Reheating Instructions

If you want that fresh-baked taste again, pop the cookies in a microwave for about 5-10 seconds. They’ll be soft and delicious!

Freezer Friendly

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough before baking! Just roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-lock bag. When you want to bake them, just pop them straight into the oven, add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

There you have it, my Lemon Crinkle Cookies that are easy, sweet, and have a slight tang that makes you wonder if you could eat the whole batch in one sitting (spoiler alert: you can)!

So what’s stopping you? Let’s get in that kitchen and get to baking. Happy cooking, friends! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.