Description
Lemon Pixie Cookies bring sunshine right to your kitchen, sparkling with tangy citrus charm. Baked golden and dusted with powdered sugar, these tiny treats deliver pure happiness in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Lemon Flavoring:
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Grab a large mixing bowl and cream 2 sticks of softened butter with 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, which takes about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Drop in 2 large eggs, beating thoroughly after each one to ensure smooth incorporation.
- Incorporate ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the butter mixture.
- Whisk 3 cups all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a separate bowl.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overworking the dough.
- Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to develop and dough to firm up.
- Heat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a small cookie scoop to form 1-tablespoon sized dough balls, rolling each between your palms.
- Generously roll each dough ball in ½ cup powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange cookie balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn light golden and centers look set.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for developing rich, complex flavor and preventing spread during baking.
- Use fresh, high-quality lemons for the zest and juice to ensure a bright, authentic citrus taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar just before baking creates a delightful crackled surface and adds a sweet, soft coating.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 154 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg