Lemon Sour Cream Cookies

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Here’s your full, rich, bakery-style Lemon Sour Cream Cookies recipe with everything you asked for 🍋✨

🍋 Lemon Sour Cream Cookies

🌟 Introduction

Soft, pillowy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor, Lemon Sour Cream Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. These cookies are incredibly moist thanks to sour cream, with a tender, cake-like texture that melts in your mouth. Perfect for tea time, spring gatherings, or whenever you want something light yet indulgent.

🧾 Ingredients

🧈 For the Cookie Dough

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (full-fat for best texture)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest 🍋
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

🍬 For the Lemon Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional for extra zing)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven
    Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream butter and sugars
    In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add wet ingredients
    Mix in the egg until fully incorporated.
    Add sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
  4. Combine dry ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Form the dough
    Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  6. Shape cookies
    Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the baking sheet, leaving space between each.
  7. Bake
    Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look soft.
  8. Cool
    Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
  9. Make glaze
    Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth.
  10. Glaze cookies
    Drizzle or spread glaze over cooled cookies. Let set before serving.

🔥 Methods & Tips

  • Do not overmix: Keeps cookies soft and tender.
  • Chill dough (optional): 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
  • Fresh lemons only: Bottled juice won’t give the same bright flavor.
  • For extra softness: Slightly underbake the cookies.

📜 History & Background

Lemon cookies have roots in European baking traditions, especially in regions like Italy where citrus desserts are beloved. The addition of sour cream is a more modern twist, often used in American baking to create extra moist and tender baked goods.

🍪 Formation & Texture

These cookies are:

  • Soft and fluffy like mini cakes
  • Light golden on the edges
  • Moist inside with a delicate crumb
  • Slightly crisp glaze on top for contrast

❤️ Why People Love These Cookies

  • Bright, refreshing lemon flavor 🍋
  • Super soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients
  • Perfect balance of sweet and tangy
  • Great for all seasons (especially spring & summer)

🏁 Conclusion

Lemon Sour Cream Cookies are a refreshing twist on classic cookies—soft, zesty, and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re baking for family, guests, or just yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to impress with their delicate flavor and bakery-style texture.

If you want, I can turn this into a stuffed lemon cookie, lemon cheesecake cookie, or even a gluten-free version 🍋

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