If you are looking to brighten your holiday baking with something fresh, zesty, and irresistibly tender, this Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These soft lemon cookies offer a delightful combination of creamy texture and vibrant citrus flavor that feels like a festive hug in every bite. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply to enjoy with a cup of tea by the fire, these cookies shine with a subtle tang from fresh lemon juice and zest, complemented by the rich creaminess of butter and cream cheese. Trust me, once you try this Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe, it will become a beloved staple in your seasonal treat repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe, you’ll need a handful of simple, everyday ingredients that work harmoniously to create the perfect tender crumb and bright lemon flavor. Each ingredient lends something special, contributing to the texture, freshness, and richness that make these cookies so memorable.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure ensuring your cookies stay soft yet hold their shape.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to create a delicate crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture, making the cookies tender.
- Cream cheese (softened): Keeps the centers super soft and adds subtle tanginess.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with the cookies’ texture and browning.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Fresh lemon juice: Provides bright, natural citrus flavor that truly wakes up the palate.
- Lemon zest: Brings intense lemon aroma and flavor in every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Lemon extract (optional): If you want an extra punch of lemon, this is a delightful addition.
- Powdered sugar: For rolling and dusting, giving the cookies their snowy, festive finish.
How to Make Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This combination is your dry base that provides structure and the perfect crumb.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it combines air into the dough, guaranteeing those wonderfully soft cookies we all love.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add the egg to your creamy mixture, followed by the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and if you’re using it, the lemon extract. Beat everything together until the mixture is smooth, making sure those bright flavors are fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture into your wet bowl, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies might turn out dense instead of soft. The dough should be slightly sticky but easy to handle after chilling.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Pop the dough into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This chilling time firms up the dough, making it easier to scoop and helps the flavors meld beautifully, which means tastier cookies.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls
Once chilled, scoop the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball lightly in powdered sugar for an elegant snowy effect and a delicate sweetness on the outside.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the tops show slight cracks. Be sure not to overbake, so the inside remains delectably soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Cooling this way helps maintain their tender texture and prevents breaking.
How to Serve Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a festive touch, dust your cookies with a little extra powdered sugar before serving, or drizzle them with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. Adding colorful holiday sprinkles right after glazing can also bring that cheerful Christmas vibe to your plate.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or a glass of cold milk for dipping. For a more indulgent holiday experience, serve them alongside whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream to balance the lemony brightness with creamy sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging your cookies on a festive platter decorated with fresh lemon slices and sprigs of rosemary or pine needles. Or package them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, perfect for gifting neighbors, friends, or coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and flavorful, ready for snacking whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Lay them flat in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you want a treat, just thaw them overnight at room temperature.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm and cozy, pop a few in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This refreshes their softness and enhances that fresh-baked aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese in this recipe?
Cream cheese adds a wonderful tang and softness to these cookies, so while you can substitute it with an equal amount of butter, expect a different texture and slightly less moisture. For best results, stick to the recipe if you want that signature soft texture.
What makes these lemon cookies so soft?
The combination of butter and cream cheese creates a tender, moist crumb, while careful baking ensures the edges just set and the centers stay delicate. Chilling the dough also helps maintain this softness during baking.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is ideal because of its bright, clean flavor, but if you don’t have fresh lemons on hand, bottled lemon juice is an acceptable substitute. Just use pure lemon juice without added sugars or preservatives for the best results.
How can I make these cookies more festive for Christmas?
Aside from dusting with powdered sugar, try adding red and green sprinkles before baking or drizzle a lemon glaze colored with natural food dyes. Packaging them with seasonal decorations also adds holiday cheer.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?
Yes! You can freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a container after frozen. When ready to bake, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time and bake from frozen for convenience.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe truly captures the spirit of the season with its bright, fresh lemon flavor and irresistibly tender texture. Whether you’re baking for holiday gatherings or cozy nights at home, these cookies bring a burst of joy to every bite. Give them a try, and I promise they’ll become a treasured tradition you reach for year after year.
Print
Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Soft Lemon Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring a tender texture and refreshing lemon flavor enhanced by cream cheese. Soft and slightly tangy, they offer a perfect festive twist with bright lemon zest and juice, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy holiday look.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
For Finishing
- Powdered sugar, for dusting or rolling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Flavorings and Egg: Incorporate the egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and optional lemon extract into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly until smooth.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can cause toughness.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; this step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and helps prevent cookies spreading too much during baking.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the chilled dough into approximately 1-inch balls. Optionally, roll the dough balls lightly in powdered sugar to add a sweet, decorative coating.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the dough balls on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the tops show slight cracking but are not browned.
- Cool Properly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set to a soft but stable texture.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, drizzle the cooled cookies with a lemon glaze or sprinkle with festive colored sprinkles before baking for added color and texture.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Freeze leftover dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months, ensuring they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and slightly chewy inside for the best texture.
