Prepared with lemon juice, almond flour, and a fresh slice of lemon on top, these Lemon Cookies are infused with bright citrus flavor in every bite. Perfect with a cup of tea, or a cool glass of lemonade in the summer!
Easy Citrus Cookies
There is a unique story behind these lemon cookies. I actually discovered them on Pinterest a few years back, when a slice of lemon atop, what looked like a shortbread cookie, caught my eye. I clicked and was taken to a site with gorgeous photos and recipes…in Russian.
Google Translate saved the day, as did my kitchen scale that helped me convert the metric system ingredient list, and soon I was whipping up my own batch of lemon cookies.
My real curiosity behind these cookies was the taste of a baked lemon slice…with the peel. Baked or not, I’ve never eaten the peel of a lemon so I was curious what it would taste like, especially on top of a cookie. ?
The verdict? These lemon cookies are amazing. They are sweet, crumbly, and citrusy. Biting into them is like getting a true taste of spring, no matter the time of year.
The lemon peel, though? I’m not a fan. It was chewy and bitter, as expected, and adding more sugar didn’t help. ? That’s an easy problem to solve though – I just removed the lemon slice after the cookies cooled. I was still left with moist, crumbly cookies infused with lemon and can avoid the bitter flavor.
These citrus cookies are going to become my official go-to for an easy spring dessert, but I also plan on making them throughout the year. Since they store well, they’ll be perfect for holiday cookie trays! I can even see them being offered at baby and bridal showers as something new for the dessert table.
What You’ll Need
These easy lemon cookies require less than 10 ingredients! They are made with pantry staples, so you likely have most of what you’ll need on hand!
- Butter – Butter should be softened for easing mixing.
- Eggs – Divided, to be used at different parts of the recipe
- Lemon – Both lemon zest and lemon juice are used in the dough and you’ll also want additional lemons washed, dried and cut into very thin slices.
- Almond flour – You can also finely ground almonds yourself.
- Sugar – Use superfine or caster sugar for this recipe.
- Flour – Basic all-purpose flour works perfectly.
- Powered sugar – For sprinkling on top at the end
How to Make Lemon Cookies
Lemon cookies are surprisingly easy to make! Though they do require ample rest time, there’s only 20 minutes or so of hands-on time!
- Form the dough. Beat the butter with an egg, then add flour, sugar and lemon juice. Mix on the lowest setting. Shape the dough into two logs and put in the refrigerator.
- Make the cookies. Preheat the oven to 350F. Slice the logs into cookies and place on baking sheet. Brush the second egg on top of each cookie. Add a lemon slice on each cookie and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes.
- Cool and serve. Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
Tips for Success
For sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookies every time, remember these tips.
- Brown the cookies. If you like the tops of the cookies browned, put them under the broiler the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Don’t overmix the dough. It’s important to beat the dough on low speed and only do so as long as necessary to combine all of the ingredients. Overmixing leads to tough dough.
- Don’t overcook the cookies. Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as they’re finished baking. Baking them for longer than 15 minutes can dry them out.
- Allow ample chill time. While it only takes a few minutes to prepare the dough, it is important to set at least 3 hours aside to allow the dough to chill properly in the fridge. This is not a step you want to skip.
Serving Suggestions
These crumbly, lusicious cookies are perfect for any ocassion. The bright color and flavor makes them great for spring and summer but they also make an ideal addition to a cookie tray during the holidays or even as a dessert at a baby or wedding shower. They’re so colorful and unique that everyone is sure to love them!
My one suggestion is to remove the lemon slice before enjoying, unless you like the bitter taste and chewy texture. I’m sure some people do but I’m not one of them! I also sprinkle my cookies with a little bit of powdered sugar to sweeten them up just a bit more before eating.
How to Store Cookies
- These lemon cookies store well at room temperature for up to one week. Store them in an airtight container and keep in dark, dry place.
- If you’re leaving the lemon slices on the cookies, I recommend adding parchment paper between slices.
- If you live in a humid area, you can also store them in the fridge and just allow them to come to room temperature before eating.
Can I Freeze Lemon Cookies?
- Yes, you can also freeze these lemon cookies. Allow to cool completely on the counter then flash freeze on a baking sheet.
- Transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag. I recommend doing this with the lemon slices removed.
- Thaw on the counter before enjoying.
- They’ll last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
ENJOY!
Lemon Cookies
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cups finely ground almond flour
- ½ cup superfine sugar or caster sugar
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 whole small lemons, with peel, washed, dried with paper towels, and cut into very thin slices
- powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, beat butter with one egg until smooth.
- Add almond flour, sugar, all-purpose flour, and lemon juice, and beat with the mixer on the lowest setting until completely combined and smooth.
- Shape the dough into two logs, about 2 inches each in diameter; cover logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Slice each log into cookies, about 1/8-inch thick, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Lightly beat the second egg and brush the top of each cookie with it.
- Place one lemon slice on top of each cookie.
- Sprinkle with superfine sugar and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- If you like the tops of the cookies browned, put them under the broiler the last 3 minutes of baking.
- Cool and optionally sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
You have zest in the ingredient list, but not in the directions… when should it be added?
Thanks for catching that! It should be added at the beginning, together with the butter and egg.
A Mandrin slicer works very well to get the lemons very thin!!!
Do you mean a mandoline slicer?
These cookies were delicious! I converted them into gluten free using an all purpose gluten free flour and egg replacer. I also used a food processor to slice the lemons into really thin slices, much thinner than the ones shown in the picture, this will give you a small burst of lemon flavor. great post.
Hi Estela!
So even in GF form these were awesome?! YAY!! 😀 I love these cookies, too! Thank you so much for chiming in!
I believe the slice of lemon should be paper thin for it to work……good luck.
Maybe candied lemon peel would work nicely ?
That was my thought too, candied lemon slices. I’ve made them before and they are AMAZING!!!!
Have you tried to sprinkle salt on top of the lemon, you’ll gonna like it 😉
Oh, they look so wonderful and I love lemon things. Of course, though we learned Imperial measures at school, we changed to SI in 1972. Now I have to change all the measurements back to metric!
I’m baking them this afternoon! They look delish! Do you know if there is any nutritional info available such as the fat, calories, carb count, fibre, etc?
Eeeek… I have no idea about the nutritional value of these cookies :/ I’m sorry. 🙁
Vitamin C! 😉
I’m baking them right now! I also found this picture on pinterest and was frustrated when the site was in Russian. I translated the page but for some reason I couldn’t find the recipe….thus it was nice to find it right here, all ready for me.
I’m using myer lemons too as there peel is way less bitter….I’m quite excited to eat these I must say!
Hi Emily!!
Please let me know how they turned out… I wish I had Meyer lemons around here!
I have Meyer Lemons and those peels are quite edible. I will be making these.
OMG!! I have to make these… now!
Looks delicious!
I love the way that slice of lemon speaks to me… “Yes, you can eat me. I’m fruit! Healthy for you! Have two… or three!” 🙂
what an interesting cookie recipe. love the almond – lemon combo. thinking of trying them soon. thanks for sharing Kate
even tho I’m in Us for quite a while I still use the metric system when I’m cooking and transform it when I have to write a blog post. seems so complicated 🙂
I love lemon anything, but lemon cookies are irresistible to me. I love their, color, aroma and texture. Yum!
I have tasted lemon peel, but not in such a large quantity! Maybe a bit too much for me too … But these cookies look gorgeous. Cooking has definitely gotten me more used to thinking in grams and liters, and they’re SO much easier than ounces. Couldn’t live without my kitchen scale!!! (Btw, has the book arrived? It should have come by Monday or Tuesday ….)
Yes, the book is here!! I got it at the beginning of the week… I love it! Thank you sooooo much! xo
I love your photos of these cookies. It definitely sounds like an interesting recipe. And, I totally agree with you on loving pinterest. How easy to waste time away. I just don’t spend enough time on the internet already 😉
I love the peel from all citrus fruits! These cookies look fantastic!
I’ve had candies lemon peel with espresso in Sicily, but never straight lemon peel as you describe. Seems like it might be a biter even with the sweetness of the cookie, but I’m willing to try anything once! This is a wonderful recipe. Adam loves lemon anything and so does our friend David who is in for a surprise treat this weekend, I think. Thanks for all your research to bring us this one!
Yum, these look so tasty. Google translate has helped me on numerous occasions too!
I’m becoming more and more addicted to Pinterest as well recently. It’s so easy to spend hours there hoping from one beautiful image to the next.
I guess this must taste fantastic. Love the lemon slices between the cookies and this is the first time I have seen cookies baked this way. Thanks Kate for sharing this 🙂
Elin
I’ve heard so much about Pinterest lately…I can see myself getting addicted to it super quick! I’ve never seen cookies made like this before…they look so good!
These look great! I am also obsessed with pinterest. I’m pretty out of control with it.
We love lemon desserts, so these sound wonderful! And perfect for springtime!
Oh I bet they are simply amazing. Citrus desserts are a favorite of mine. 🙂
Cookies with lemon slices on top? Wow, I must try making these! Thanks for reminding me about Pinterest. I’m a bit challenged with technology and sometimes I just forget that there are great social sites like this!
I am addicted to Pinterest too! The lemon cookies are lovely – cooking them with the lemon slices is such a pretty touch!
I thought I had seen it all but these cookies look incredible!!! Bookmarked!!!!
that looks like such a fun site!
i have had these cookies in canada and they are AH-MAY-ZING! now, thanks to you, i have a recipe and i can make these all the time!
These look so fantastic, love all that lemon! I’m a huge fan of cooking in metric, I find it’s more precise. But then again, I work in a chemistry lab and spend all day measuring in metric, so it’s second nature I guess!
wow those lemon cookies are really special!
What an interesting cookie recipe! I can’t wait to try this. They look so yummy 🙂
Uh, oh, a new site to check out…I’m not sure there is enough time in the day 🙂
What unique cookies…thanks for your honest opinion…I would have been wary about the lemon peel, too, but it certainly looks beautiful!
Hi Kate! Thank you for visiting my site. I love lemons and these cookies look so delicious. It’s thick, crunch and soft at the same time… and you have beautiful pictures too! I just liked your fan page so I’ll never miss a recipe. 😉 I have a facebook fan page too, if you are interested in Japanese food. Looking forward to your next post already~~~!
Great and refreshing cookies! Love lemons in anything, even water! Nicely done!
What beautiful cookies!!! Love your photos. Definitely need to try these cookies!
Such delightful cookies here, absolutely perfect for spring!
What gorgeous presentation love the lemon…. I could eat a ton of these!
Gotta love lemon season!! These look so yummy and light. Perfect for dessert on a Spring night.
I do not know pinterest – is it? Must check out. I do know lemons – on my pasta, in my salads and in my baked goods and drinks. These do look like a taste of spring. As long as spring is not springing here – at least I can have a nibble of the season.
Mmm I’ve had lemon flavored cookies before, but never a cookie with an actual slice of lemon in it! They look so interesting and delicious. I’m interested to see how the rind tastes… maybe I’ll do half of the batch with the lemon slice left on and half with them off to see. Thanks for sharing!
MMM…lemon cookies sound perfect for spring! I imagine the peel was pretty bitter though. Maybe candied slices pressed on top when the cookies come out of the oven would be better/less bitter? Over all though, delicious.
Those cookies look amazing! I would try blanching the lemon a couple of times before putting it on top of the cookie. It should take care of the bitterness….
I adore lemon and shortbread for that matter… and these cookies look stunning. The lemon slices on top are so unique and refreshing!
Oh your lemon cookies look so good. Love the lemon flavor in cookies, so Spring…and the slices of lemon make the cookies look pretty, but if does not taste right…hope you have a wonderful week ahead Kate 🙂
I love you…I mean….yea 🙂 These look incredible. Thanks for giving my stretchy pants even more of a work out 😉
Left an award for you over at http://forevernowandthen.com/2011/04/28/award/
I can see why these would catch your eye…they’re gorgeous! Too bad about the lemon peel. I’ve never tried it, but it seems like it would be bitter. The cookies look so light and crumbly. Yum!
Have to check out Pinterests. it’s amazing where we can find inspiration. Being in Canada I am familiar with both measuring systems but a scale is an essential tool. I like the idea of having the peel in there. And love the caramelized look.
sounds like lemonade in a cookie! =)
btw, i’ve heard so much about pinterest but haven’t gotten into it b/c i just know i would get addicted!!
So many delicious lemon recipes popping up and this is surely one of them. Great job Kate!
I love your Pinterest idea! What a great idea. I’m picnicing tomorrow with my sister and her kids and I know these would be very, very popular. I’ll skip the lemon slice on your advice 🙂
How interesting! I love roll cookies generally. I also love lemon, and cook with it a lot; I sometimes blanch thin lemon slices to reduce some of the bitterness of the pith…
These cookies sound soo delicious and lemony. I have a special place in my heart for lemon, too. It was my Mom’s favorite. I have to make these cookies soon, after the bake sale.
ooh! That lemon with the almond flour?! Yes please! My son and I would eat a whole handful of these easily! He loves lemon too!! ♥-K
All of your cookies always look so good! Absolutely delicious.
I have the reverse problem with units 🙂 I get so confused by cups, etc, and always wonder things such as: so how many grams is a cup of beans? My biggest problem is when a recipe calls for a cup of a chopped ingredient… what about if my chopping is wayyy different from that person’s chopping? I’ve been getting used to it, but it’s still kinda confusing sometimes 🙂
heheh I never thought of the chopping bit! 🙂 You are so right!
Thank you for visiting my site :). Your lemon cookies look gorgeous and delicious! I have a spot for cookies…just can’t resist them!
Kate, I adore the lemon peel and your cookies look just melt-in-the-mouth and zingy! My Granny used to sook a lemon without wincing so there must be something in the family 😉
I agree- totally addicted to Pinterest. It’s especially awesome when you find cool recipes like this one.
I don’t think I could eat the lemon peel either. But other than that, these cookies sound phenomenal! And I just checked out that Pinterest site, and I think you may have me hooked!
Such a neat idea. And well done for you giving it a go. At least now you know for certain that the cookie would be better sans-lemon peel. Thanks for sharing!
Kate, we all love lemons at home 🙂 and we often eat them with the peels – just I usually slice the lemons really thinly – that way they taste just perfect – to us… And your cookies sound really great to me – mmmm!!!
True taste of spring is what I need right now! These cookies are lovely…they look just as you described them…crumbly, sweet and citrusy.
I saw your picture on food frenzy. These look so great and the photo is fantastic.
I’ve never seen a lemon cookie with a slice baked right on top! Unique idea, and sounds perfect for the Spring!
It Looks great kate! bookmarked it.. thx for sharing the recipe
I have something for you , check my blog at http://c1tr4sinau.blogspot.com/2011/04/chicken-wing-in-szechuan-sauce-also.html
I like the idea of putting a slice of lemon on top of each cookie! I bet it imparts so much lemony flavor! But like you, I’d probably remove the slice before serving because I don’t think I’d enjoy the taste of lemon peel!
Beautiful cookies! I’ve had my kitchen scale for less than a year and still wonder how I did without it.
They look so good I love lemons and lemon cookies. I made some for Easter, they were actually lemon drop cookies, so yummy! I can add lemon with peel to my water, but I don’t like the bitter taste it adds to everything especially sweets. And as for the metric system units ROFL I’m the same. I finished elementary and 2 years of high school in Belgrade, but as soon as I started school here the other system was a history LOL Honestly I call my mom to help 😉
i’m hooked on pinterest too :-))
and those lemons look tempting. maybe if the slices are thinner or if they are boiled first, they would be easier to chew. i’ll have to try this. i like caramelized lemon or orange peels.
Hi Bojana!! 🙂
You can’t tell on that picture, but the slices were really really thin…I think I should have boiled them first and then baked them.
I love lemons! When I was young(er), I always ate lemon wedges from everyone’s water glass! So good :).
Those cookies looks delicious! I’ve never used almond flour. It must give a great taste with the lemon!
Lovely pictures! I can see how the lemon peel might be overboard- I’m in love with lemon anything but I usually need to tone down the lemon zest in most recipes. I”ll be giving these a try, with and without the peel, very soon!
These cookies look great and I love lemon , you can remove the bitterness of lemon by boiling the slices in hot water and then dunking them in cold water .
Thank you for that tip!!
MMM!! Love the almond flour in this one! And you know how obsessed I am with lemon lately… with a new bucket of lemons arriving from my dad this afternoon I think these just might have to go on my list.
As for pinterest, I’m loving it too! Love the organization and also seeing what others are liking at the moment!!
Absolutely love them! Lemon is my all time favorite flavor for everything. I use more than vanilla! Wonderful photos and cookies ! Great Post Kate!
This is so unique. I ate peel of lemon and lime too. I like citric food .. but never thought it can be incorporated in cookies this way 🙂 The site you shared is really gorgeous .. beautiful pic , styling ! I would love to try these cookies .. just wondering if hubby will eat chunk of lemon with cookies !!
Oooh these would have caught my eye as well! How neat that they bake the lemon slice on top of the cookie. You would think that they would “candy” since you sprinkle sugar on them when they bake. I’m glad they still tasted great, adding this to my lemon cookie collection. =)
I’m with you. I love lemons. I have them every day in my water. I love to make lemon desserts (you can tell from my blog) but I don’t think I’d like to eat a cooked lemon peel. Doesn’t even sound good but the rest of the cookie sounds great.