May 9, 2011 · Modified: Feb 18, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 31 Comments

Glazed Lemon Cookies

Name: Glazed Lemon Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 Tbsp finely grated lemon zest; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, (room temperature); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice; Lemon Glaze ((recipe below)); 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 Tbsp finely grated lemon zest; 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

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These Martha Stewart Glazed Lemon Cookies are so bright and happy with the perfect balance of sweet and tart, you'll want to bottle them up for some instant sunshine on a gloomy day!

Glazed lemon cookie on a grey surface surrounded by lemon wedges and teaspoon filled with lemon glaze and "Glazed Lemon Cookies" text at top

When I want dessert, I want dessert. Chocolate. Cookies. Ice Cream. Cake. All sans fruit, please. Don't get me wrong; I'm a huge lover of fruit, I just like to keep it away from my desserts. Usually.

Of course, fruit, and especially citrus, is so light and summery and sometimes I can't resist making a fruity dessert. And occasionally, I actually fall in love with a fruity dessert. Like these glazed lemon cookies.

From this year on, I think I'll have to make these at the advent of every spring. And maybe even in the dead of winter when I'm desperately craving some spring.

If I close my eyes tightly enough, I'm pretty sure I could convince myself the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and it's imperative that I get my AC serviced as soon as possible.

These glazed lemon cookies are that powerful. They're a Martha Stewart recipe that I make over and over again. Try them yourself if you need more convincing.

How to Make Martha Stewart's Lemon Cookies

The best part about these cookies? They're incredibly easy to make and will be ready in no time at all. Meaning, whenever a craving hits or you need a little sunshine in your life, you can have it within the hour.

The batter is simple, but packed with lemon zest and lemon juice. It doesn't need to chill or anything, so right when it's ready, you can pop it in the oven.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest.

In the bowl of an electric mixer or other large bowl with a hand mixer or whisk, beat the butter and sugar together, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Butter and sugar creamed together in mixing bowl

Add in the egg, vanilla, and lemon juice and mix until combined. Slowly mix in the flour mixture until just combined, taking care not to over-mix.

On an un-greased cookie sheet, drop dough by the tablespoon about 1 inch apart.

Rounded cookie dough on parchment paper-lined baking sheet

Bake the cookies for about 15-20 minutes, until edges are golden. Let cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

How to Make Lemon Glaze

And while the cookies are baking, you can prepare the glaze, which requires one bowl and about 3 minutes. My kitchen smelled like so much lemon happiness at this moment.

Simply whisk together confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice, until smooth.

Collage showing lemon glaze making process, including powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest in bowl and all ingredients whisked together in bowl

Spread the glaze onto those lemon cookies! And then you're ready to bite into a light, refreshing Martha Stewart glazed lemon cookie.

These are totally the kind of cookies you could eat 10 of, no problem. They're soft, but with a little bit of crisp around the edges. Just how I like them.

Glazed lemon cookies topped with lemon zest on a baking sheet

And they're incredibly tangy and lemony without being too pucker your lips sour.

You should definitely add these lemon cookies to your must-make cookie list. You do have one of those, don't you? If not, start one now. These cookies are quick and super simple, but totally tasty.

Landscape view of a glazed lemon cookie on a grey surface topped with lemon zest with lemon wedges and a teaspoon filled with lemon glaze

Perfect for if you're invited to a last-minute summer BBQ or party and need something to bring along. I don't know about you, but I almost always have all the ingredients necessary for these lemon cookies in my pantry and fridge.

More Lemon Dessert Recipes

If you're as excited about the potential of spring and sunshine as I am, you likely have a major lemon craving! These lemon desserts will help you get your fix:

No-Bake Lemon Cookie Dough Bars
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cups
Lavender Lemon Cookies
Blueberry Lemon Bread
Blueberry, Lemon, and White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Tuscan Lemon Muffins
Blueberry Vodka Lemonade (fine, not a dessert, but a necessary lemon cocktail!)
Lemon Meringue Pie (from Grandbaby Cakes)
Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins (from OMG Chocolate Desserts)

Glazed lemon cookie on a grey surface surrounded by lemon wedges and teaspoon filled with lemon glaze

Now, I wonder how these cookies would taste with some chocolate chips involved. Just kidding. Kind of. (Seriously though, white chocolate? Now, that could be awesome).

Are you a fruity dessert person or do you prefer your fruit more as a healthy snack?

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