Fresh Lemon Basil Sugar Cookies
These fresh lemon basil sugar cookies combine zesty citrus with aromatic basil for a bright, refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies. Quick and easy to make, they offer a tender yet crisp texture perfect for spring and summer treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 medium lemons (about 2 tablespoons), finely grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (loosely packed)
- Optional garnish: coarse sugar or sanding sugar for sprinkling
- Optional garnish: extra lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Finely grate lemon zest and chop basil leaves.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in chopped basil leaves using a rubber spatula.
- Scoop dough with a tablespoon or cookie scoop and roll into balls. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft. Start checking at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. Avoid overmixing dough to keep cookies tender. Chill dough 10-15 minutes if too sticky or if cookies spread too much. Baking time may vary slightly; watch closely starting at 10 minutes. Dough can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking. Cookies store well at room temperature for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Protein: 1.2
Keywords: lemon basil sugar cookies, citrus cookies, herb cookies, easy sugar cookies, lemon cookies, basil cookies, spring cookies, summer cookies