Name: Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon extract; 3 teaspoons fresh grated lemon zest; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 drops yellow food coloring, optional; 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 7 reviews

If you love bright, zesty desserts that melt in your mouth, you’re going to adore this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, chewy, bursting with fresh lemon flavor, and have the cutest crackled powdered sugar tops. I promise, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to whenever you crave something fresh and sweet. Stick around, because I’m sharing every little tip to help you nail that perfect texture and flavor.

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Why This Recipe Works

Bright Lemon Flavor: The combo of fresh lemon juice, zest, and lemon extract gives these cookies a fresh, vibrant taste that feels homemade and authentic.
Perfect Soft Texture: Using vegan butter and a little cornstarch keeps the cookies tender and chewy without being greasy or cakey.
Crinkled Powdered Sugar Finish: Rolling dough balls in powdered sugar before baking creates that signature crackled cookie look that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Quick & Simple: Straightforward ingredients and easy steps mean you can whip these up in just about 25 minutes, perfect for last-minute sweet cravings.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe, Bright Lemon Cookies, Soft Lemon Cookies, Zesty Lemon Cookies - A top view of twelve yellow lemon cookies with cracks on top, each dusted with white powdered sugar, arranged neatly on a gold cooling rack placed over a white marbled surface. Three lemon halves with bright yellow peel and juicy pale yellow interior are placed in between the cookies. A clear glass bowl filled with white powdered sugar is seen at the top left corner. The cookies have a soft, cracked texture with powdered sugar filling the cracks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe plays a part in delivering that perfect balance of tangy lemon and buttery softness. Let me walk you through why each one makes this recipe shine and some tips for picking the best versions at the store.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe, Bright Lemon Cookies, Soft Lemon Cookies, Zesty Lemon Cookies - Flat lay of fresh lemons with bright yellow zest shaved delicately, a small mound of granulated sugar sparkling under soft light, a smooth slab of vegan butter softened and creamy, a glass container of clear fresh lemon juice, tiny drops of golden yellow food coloring, a heap of white powdered sugar dusted lightly nearby, and a sprinkle of pure vanilla extract in a small glass vial, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Vegan Butter: Using softened vegan butter keeps the dough creamy and tender without dairy, making these cookies accessible for many diets.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and creates structure when creamed with butter, essential for that perfect cookie crumb.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds depth that enhances the citrus notes, even when lemon is the star.
Lemon Extract: Intensifies the lemon flavor beyond zest and juice for that punchy citrus aroma.
Fresh Grated Lemon Zest: Fresh zest is a must here — it’s the secret to real, natural lemon brightness and texture.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds both acidity and moisture, helping balance sweetness and keep the cookies soft.
Yellow Food Coloring (Optional): Just for fun, this makes your cookies glow with a sunny hue, but it totally can be skipped without losing flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough – provides enough structure without being too dense.
Cornstarch: Adds a touch of softness and helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to create those beautiful crinkles while keeping them light.
Salt: Balances flavor and brings out the lemon’s brightness even more.
Powdered Sugar (for rolling): Creates the iconic powdered sugar coating and those delightful crinkled cracks as they bake.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I often like to play around with this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. It’s super flexible, so don’t be afraid to make it your own and have some fun baking.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the lemon extract for orange extract when I want a change — it gives a lovely twist and still keeps that fresh citrus vibe.
Dietary Mod: For gluten-free friends, I’ve had great success swapping in a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture stays soft and the flavor is just as bright.
Extra Zest: Love an intense lemon blast? Add an extra teaspoon of zest. Just don’t overdo it — it can get bitter if too much white pith sneaks in.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Space & Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two cookie sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. While the oven warms, have your powdered sugar ready in a bowl for rolling the dough. This setup saves time and keeps things smooth once you’re ready to bake.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat the softened vegan butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Don’t rush this — properly creamed butter and sugar help create that tender bite we want.

Step 3: Add Lemon and Flavorings

Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and if you’re using it, yellow food coloring. I usually add just two drops of food coloring — enough to brighten the dough without overpowering it. Scrape the bowl edges to make sure all flavors are fully blended.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients & Mix

Stop the mixer, then add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt directly to the wet ingredients. Turn the mixer to low speed and mix just until everything comes together — don’t overmix! You want the dough to be soft and a bit sticky, not stiff or dry.

Step 5: Roll the Dough into Sugar-Coated Balls

Using a tablespoon-sized scoop or your hands, roll the dough into balls. Then generously roll each ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated. This creates that iconic crackled look and slightly crisp outer layer when baked.

Step 6: Bake & Cool

Space your cookies about 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for edges that are just set — remember, these cookies will still be very soft when you pull them out but will firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

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Pro Tips for Making Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Don’t Overbake: These cookies look soft and underdone when you take them out, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Pull them out as soon as the edges are set to keep them tender inside.
Use Fresh Lemon Zest: Fresh zest makes all the difference — store-bought lemon zest lacks that zing and can even taste bitter or dry.
Powdered Sugar Rolling: Roll your dough balls generously to create a thick coating. Too little powdered sugar means your cookies won’t have the classic crinkle effect.
Mix Gentle, Mix Short: Overmixing makes the cookies tough. Once you add the flour mix, blend on low and just until combined.

How to Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe, Bright Lemon Cookies, Soft Lemon Cookies, Zesty Lemon Cookies - A close-up image shows a woman's hand with orange nail polish holding a lemon cookie with a bite taken out of it, revealing its soft yellow inside. The cookie has a cracked top covered lightly with white powdered sugar. Underneath are more similar cookies stacked on a gold cooling rack. Around the rack are bright yellow lemon halves placed on a white marbled surface, adding fresh color to the scene. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love dusting these cookies with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving—it adds a fresh snowy look that’s so inviting. Sometimes, I zest a little fresh lemon over the top for an extra pop. They’re pretty enough on their own but a little garnish always makes them feel special.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, especially green or chamomile, where the floral notes complement the lemon perfectly. I’ve also served them alongside fresh berries and whipped coconut cream for a light afternoon treat that feels fancy but is easy to prepare.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I love arranging these Lemon Crinkle Cookies in a pretty layered glass jar or on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh mint and lemon slices. It gives an inviting feel that guests always comment on—and makes the cookies look irresistible on any dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies keep best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. I’ve noticed that the powdered sugar coating starts to melt after the first day, so they might not look as pretty, but the flavor and texture stay delicious.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cookies, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a sealed bag or container. Then, bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. This way, you can enjoy fresh-baked cookies anytime.

Reheating

To refresh leftover Lemon Crinkle Cookies, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 3-4 minutes. This revives the softness and slightly crisp edges. Avoid microwaving, which makes them chewy and sometimes tough.

FAQs

Can I make this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! This recipe already uses vegan butter, so it’s naturally dairy-free. Just make sure your vegan butter brand is non-dairy and you’re set.
What if I don’t have lemon extract?

If you don’t have lemon extract, don’t worry. You can skip it or add a little extra fresh lemon zest to boost flavor. The cookies will still have plenty of lemony goodness thanks to the fresh zest and juice.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Make sure your dough isn’t too warm or soft when you place it on the baking sheet. Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling and baking can help maintain shape and keep cookies from spreading too thin.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend in equal amounts. I’ve done this myself, and it works wonderfully without affecting the texture or flavor.
Why do the cookies need to be rolled in powdered sugar?

Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar creates the signature crackled appearance as they bake. It also adds a sweet and delicate outer coating that balances the tartness of the lemon.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen because it’s easy to make, feels special, and tastes like a little burst of sunshine in every bite. Whether you’re baking for yourself, for friends, or a special occasion, these cookies never disappoint. Give it a try—I guarantee it’ll brighten your day like it does mine every time I bake them!