Description
Zesty lemon ginger cookies blend tangy citrus with warm spice for a delightful treat. Crumbly edges and chewy centers make these cookies a perfect companion to afternoon tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by heating oven to 350F and lining baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking flour, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger until evenly distributed.
- Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar in a large bowl until achieving a light, airy texture.
- Incorporate egg, freshly grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until well integrated.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a soft, cohesive dough.
- Shape dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, then delicately coat each ball with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges and distinctive crinkled surface indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 3-4 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to wire cooling rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Zest the lemon carefully to avoid the bitter white pith, which can make the cookies taste harsh.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creates a softer cookie texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, adjusting liquid slightly to maintain proper consistency.
- Roll cookies in raw or turbinado sugar instead of powdered sugar for a more rustic, crunchy exterior that adds delightful texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 96 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 84 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg