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· 4.8 from 59 reviews

If you love bright, zesty flavors paired with a delightfully soft texture, this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe is going to become your new favorite treat. These cookies have that magical combo of tangy lemon and a powdered sugar crust that looks like sugary snow—perfect for spring mornings, afternoon coffee breaks, or anytime you need a little citrusy pick-me-up. Stick with me, and I’ll share exactly how to make these charming cookies turn out perfect every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Lemon Flavor: The combo of fresh lemon juice, zest, and extract delivers a bright, fresh burst without overpowering sweetness.
Soft, Tender Texture: Cornstarch in the dough creates an irresistibly soft and slightly cakey cookie that melts in your mouth.
Perfectly Crinkled Finish: Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking gives that signature crackled look that’s both beautiful and fun to bite into.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Nothing fancy required—just quality basics mixed well, making it easy for any baker to nail.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Cookies, Citrus Cookies, Easy Lemon Cookies, Soft 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 has a specific purpose to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the vegan butter that keeps things soft to the lemon zest that adds aromatic freshness, here’s a quick rundown on why these ingredients belong in your cookies.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Cookies, Citrus Cookies, Easy Lemon Cookies, Soft 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: Provides fat for a tender texture and buttery flavor, plus it’s great for those avoiding dairy.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps cookies spread slightly for a soft bite.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the citrus notes beautifully.
Lemon Extract: Gives an extra lemon punch that fresh juice alone can’t achieve.
Fresh Lemon Zest: Delivers natural oils bursting with fresh lemon aroma and flavor.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds acidity for tartness and reacts with baking soda to help the cookies rise.
Yellow Food Coloring (optional): Just for that sunny look, no impact on flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure backbone that holds everything together.
Cornstarch: Helps make these cookies extra soft and cakey.
Baking Soda: Leavens the dough for lightness and interacts with lemon juice for lift.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the lemon brightness.
Powdered Sugar (for rolling): Creates that signature crackled exterior and adds a sweet, delicate finish.

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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 love how versatile this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe is, so don’t hesitate to give it your own spin. I’ve tried a few tweaks myself, and they’re all winners depending on what you’re in the mood for or what you have on hand.

Gluten-Free Option: Swap out all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend — I tried this recently and the cookies stayed just as soft and flavorful.
Extra Tang: Add a tablespoon more lemon juice if you crave more zing, but keep an eye on the dough consistency as it might get slightly stickier.
Herbal Twist: Stir in some finely chopped fresh basil or thyme for a sophisticated angle I found surprisingly fresh.
Less Sweet: Reduce the granulated sugar by a tablespoon if you prefer your cookies less sugary, especially if you’re serving them with tea.

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

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Powdered Sugar Bath

Always preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready and hot at bake time—that’s key for those lovely soft edges to set just right. Line two cookie sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper to avoid sticking. Fill a small bowl with powdered sugar—this will be your dough’s cozy coat.

Step 2: Cream the Vegan Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat your softened vegan butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes, and it’s worth the time because it builds the cookie’s texture. Don’t rush this step!

Step 3: Add Lemon and Vanilla Flavor

Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice. If you want your cookies to look extra sunny, add a drop or two of yellow food coloring here. Be sure to scrape down the sides so all that lemon goodness blends evenly into the dough.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Then, with your mixer on low speed, gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing here — you want gentle, tender cookies, not tough ones.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls

Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated. This sugar coating is what creates that gorgeous crackled look after baking, so don’t skimp on it!

Step 6: Bake and Cool Like a Pro

Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges just set, but the centers will still look soft — that’s perfect because they firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the pans for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Patience now pays off with tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies later!

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Pro Tips for Making Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your vegan butter is softened—not melted—to get the creamiest dough and best texture.
Don’t Skip Powdered Sugar Rolling: This step isn’t just for looks—it creates that tender crust that cracks beautifully during baking.
Watch the Bake Time Closely: Remove cookies as soon as edges set; overbaking dries them out fast.
Use Fresh Lemons: Fresh zest and juice make all the difference in flavor compared to bottled—it’s worth the extra effort!

How to Serve Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Lemon Cookies, Citrus Cookies, Easy Lemon Cookies, Soft 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 like to dust a tiny extra sprinkle of powdered sugar on top right before serving for a fresh snow-kissed effect. If I’m feeling fancy, a few fresh lemon zest curls work wonders and tie the presentation back to that lovely lemon flavor inside.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea—Earl Grey or chamomile are my go-tos. They’re also fantastic alongside a creamy vegan vanilla latte or even chilled lemonade to keep the citrus theme going.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve arranged these cookies on a pastel-colored platter layered with fresh mint leaves for garden parties. For birthdays, stacking them in a pretty jar with a ribbon makes a heartfelt homemade gift. Trust me, the crackled powdered sugar always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I let the cookies cool completely then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for about 3-4 days, but do expect that the powdered sugar coating will start to blend into the cookie surface—that’s totally normal.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the dough, just roll into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When thawed, roll again in powdered sugar then bake as usual. I’ve done this, and they turn out just as wonderful straight from the freezer!

Reheating

When reheating leftover cookies, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a 300°F oven works to refresh that fresh-baked softness. Avoid overdoing it so they don’t dry out.

FAQs

Can I make these lemon crinkle cookies without vegan butter?

Yes! You can substitute with regular unsalted butter if you’re not dairy-free or use coconut oil solidified at room temperature. Just keep in mind that coconut oil may lend a slight coconut flavor and change the texture a bit.
Why do you use cornstarch in the cookie dough?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender cookie by limiting gluten formation in the flour. This is why these cookies feel a bit cakey and delicate, different from dense traditional lemon cookies.
Is the yellow food coloring necessary?

Nope! It’s purely for aesthetic reasons—to give your cookies a sunny lemon hue. The flavor and texture won’t be affected if you skip it.
How do I prevent the powdered sugar from melting too fast?

These cookies are freshest when eaten the same day because powdered sugar gradually absorbs moisture. Store in a cool, dry place and only roll in sugar shortly before baking to keep that beautiful crackled look.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe has become a little joy in my kitchen; the bright citrus notes combined with tender texture always bring smiles. I hope when you try it, these cookies become your go-to when you want something fresh and a bit special without fuss. So grab those lemons, roll out the dough, and treat yourself—you deserve it!