Easy Lemon Crack Crinkles Cookies Recipe – Best Ever!
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Craving a sweet and tangy treat that’s easy to make? These Lemon Crack Crinkles Cookies are everything you love about lemon desserts rolled into a cookie! With a buttery, citrusy flavor and a crinkly powdered sugar exterior, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
OMG these lemon crinkle cookies are surely addictive! Bursting with lemon flavor, dusted with powdered sugar with cracks on the surface to reveal the buttery lemon inside! You need these amazing lemon cookies in your life!
Why You’ll Love Easy Lemon Crack Crinkles Cookies
- Bright Lemon Flavor: These cookies pack a zesty punch with freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The buttery dough bakes into soft cookies with a slightly crisp exterior that melts in your mouth.
- Eye-Catching Presentation: The crinkly powdered sugar coating gives these cookies a bakery-style look that’s sure to impress.
- Quick and Easy: With just 5 minutes of prep and no chilling required, you’ll have cookies ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for a holiday gathering, bake sale, or simple dessert, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone!
I have a weakness for all baked things with lemon. I just want to sit there and smell it and drool. There is something magical about the sweet and sour. The citrus smell and taste. The lemon combined with the smell of freshly baked cookies. Dusting off the powdered sugar sprinkle and licking my finger. Biting into this crinkle cookie to get to the lemon core. I need these cookies right now and so do you. Lemon crack cookies, here we come.
Ingredients For Easy Lemon Crack Crinkles Cookies
- Butter – Adds richness and a buttery base to the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cookies and helps with the structure.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor with a warm undertone.
- Egg – Binds the ingredients and gives the cookies structure.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed for the brightest, tangiest lemon flavor.
- Lemon Zest – Provides concentrated lemon flavor and aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour – The main structure of the cookies.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – Leavening agents that give the cookies their light texture and help with spreading.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Powdered Sugar – Creates the signature crinkled coating.
- Yellow Food Coloring (Optional) – Gives the cookies a vibrant lemony appearance.
For exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.
Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Easy Lemon Crack Crinkles Cookies
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Large Mixing Bowl – To combine all the ingredients.
- Whisk or Electric Mixer – To mix the batter until smooth.
- Baking Sheets – To bake the cookies evenly.
- Parchment Paper – Prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets.
- Plate – For rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar.
So how do these cookies get the crackled texture on top? No, you don’t have to carve out those crinkles and cracks with a knife ;) The cookies bake into a cracked perfection (haha, did I just say that?) just like magic! That’s the first time in my life that I had to use the words “cracked” and “perfect” in the same sentence!
Seriously, to make the cracks the cookie dough is first rolled into balls, then the balls are rolled in a powdered sugar, then baked in the oven. While they are baking, the dough naturally spreads and expands, resulting in the breaks of the powdered-sugar-coated surface, making those crinkles on the top!
How To Make Lemon Crinkles Cookies
Making the lemon crack cookies is very easy and simple. You just mix the ingredients in one bowl, and no chilling of the dough needed!
- Mix the sugar and butter
- Add eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix.
- Add dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt) and mix.
- Roll dough into balls and dip in powdered sugar.
- Bake in pre-heated 350F oven for 13 minutes.
Some tips and tricks: if you want the lemon cookies to be really yellow like on the picture, add yellow food coloring. Without the food coloring, they’ll be only slightly yellow. The taste won’t change though! Another thing is that these cookies spread as they bake, so make sure you don’t crowd them on a baking sheet. Leave 3 inches between them to make sure they won’t merge into a giant cookie :)
That’s it! The lemon crinkle cookies are all yours!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair these cookies with a cup of hot Honey Lemon Tea or Authentic Turkish Coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Add a dusting of extra powdered sugar before serving for a prettier presentation.
- Arrange them on a platter with other citrus desserts like Cranberry Orange Bread for a bright, themed dessert spread.
- Serve as a light, zesty dessert after a rich, hearty meal.
- Package them in a decorative box or tin as a homemade gift for friends and family.
Tips For Success
- Use Fresh Lemons: For the best flavor, always use fresh lemon juice and zest. Bottled lemon juice won’t give the same vibrant taste.
- Soften Your Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. This helps it cream more easily with the sugar for a smooth batter.
- Don’t Skip the Powdered Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar is key to achieving the signature crinkle effect. Coat generously for the best results.
- Spacing is Important: These cookies spread while baking, so leave at least 3 inches of space between each dough ball to prevent them from merging.
- Watch the Bake Time: Overbaking will result in dry cookies. Pull them out when they just start to set and have slightly golden edges. They’ll firm up as they cool.
- For a Pop of Color: If you prefer a vibrant yellow hue, add a small amount of food coloring. This step is purely aesthetic and optional.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them. They’re delicate when warm and can break apart.
- Store Properly: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and flavor.
Variations And Substitutions
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture and flavor will remain just as delightful.
- Sugar Substitutes: Use coconut sugar or a sugar alternative like erythritol for a slightly different sweetness profile. Keep in mind, the cookies might not crinkle as prominently.
- Lime Crinkle Cookies: Swap out lemon juice and zest for lime for a tropical twist. This gives the cookies a slightly sharper citrus flavor.
- Orange Zest Addition: Mix in some orange zest along with lemon zest for a citrus medley. The combination is zesty and aromatic.
- Extra Tang: Add a teaspoon of lemon extract for an extra burst of lemon flavor if you want an even zestier cookie.
- Add White Chocolate Chips: For a sweet surprise, mix in ½ cup of white chocolate chips into the dough before rolling it into balls.
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan margarine to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Powdered Sugar Alternatives: Roll the cookies in granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar for a subtle crunch and a less traditional look.
Storage And Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure they’re fully cooled before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
- Freezing Dough: For longer storage, freeze the unbaked dough balls after coating them in powdered sugar. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Baking from Frozen: To bake frozen dough balls, place them directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
- Reheating: If you prefer warm cookies, reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat, as they can dry out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, fresh lemon juice and zest provide the most vibrant and authentic lemon flavor.
Why didn’t my cookies crinkle on top?
This can happen if the dough balls aren’t coated heavily enough in powdered sugar or if the oven temperature isn’t consistent. Make sure to coat generously and preheat your oven fully before baking.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, roll it into balls, and freeze them. When you’re ready to bake, roll them in powdered sugar and bake directly from frozen.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No, this recipe doesn’t require chilling. The dough is ready to bake right after mixing, saving you time.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double or even triple the recipe. Just make sure to bake in batches and not overcrowd the baking sheets.
Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
Definitely! The food coloring is optional and doesn’t affect the taste. Your cookies will still have a light yellow hue from the lemon zest.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are done when the edges are slightly golden, and the tops have formed crinkles. They may look a little soft in the center but will firm up as they cool.
Other Easy Lemon Recipes
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Fresh Peach Lemonade Recipe | Instant Pot Easy Drink: Refreshing and fruity peach lemonade made with fresh ingredients and easily prepared in the Instant Pot.
Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Recipe | Best Quick Bread: A moist and tangy lemon poppy seed loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Authentic Greek Potatoes With Lemon | Traditional Recipe: These roasted Greek lemon potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with authentic
How To Make Candied Lemon Slices At Home: Easy homemade candied lemon slices, perfect for decorating desserts or enjoying as a sweet treat.
Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia Recipe | Easy Baked White Fish: A simple and flavorful baked tilapia recipe with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce for a healthy dinner option.
Easy Lemon CRACK Crinkles Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp yellow food coloring optional
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or electric mixer
- baking sheets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest and yellow food coloring (if using) and mix until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
- Put powdered sugar on a large plate.
- Take a heaping tablespoon of cookie dough from the bowl and roll with your hands into a ball. Dip into powdered sugar and roll so the ball is coated with powdered sugar on all sides. Put the dough ball on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough (make sure there is at least 3 inches between the balls as the cookies will spread).
- Bake the lemon crinkle cookies for 13 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool completely.
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- Air Fryer Roasted Plum Dessert Recipe
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My mouth is watering! I love crinkles and lemon happens to be my favourite..these are a perfect treat for me.
Can you make these lemon crack cookies gluten free?
Yes, just use all-purpose gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
These cookies are fantastic! Seriously, there are none better! I chill the dough for about an hour First before baking. The dough does freeze well ( in little balls already covered in powdered sugar ). Everyone who eats these says Mmmmm. Everyone!
I’m obsessed with these lemon crack cookies—they’re irresistible! 😋
I made these without the food coloring, and they were still amazing.