Zesty Lemon Pixie Cookies Recipe: A Bright Bite of Magic

Sweet, buttery, and bursting with zesty sunshine, these tangy lemon pixie cookies dance with bright citrus flavor in every single bite.

Powdered sugar coats each delicate morsel like a soft, snowlike dusting.

The delightful recipe brings a burst of cheerful energy to any dessert plate.

Crisp edges give way to soft, melt-in-your-mouth centers that sparkle with fresh lemon essence.

Minimal ingredients combine to create a cookie that feels both elegant and comforting.

Baking these treats fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone to the counter.

You’ll want to share these delectable morsels with friends and savor every delightful crumb.

Storage Plans For Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their delicate lemon flavor and soft texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24-48 hours before baking, allowing flavors to develop and intensify for a more robust taste experience.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Room Temperature Storage Tip: Keep cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, placing a piece of soft bread inside to maintain moisture and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 153 kcal

Servings: 25

Things You Need For Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and bulk to the cookies, choose all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, check freshness for maximum lift.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and creates soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cookie.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender texture, use unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies spread, select fine-grain for smooth mixing.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, room temperature works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy flavor and helps activate baking soda.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and adds vibrant flavor notes.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crackly exterior and adds elegant sweet coating, sift before using for smooth application.

Tools To Use For Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Baking sheet: Needed for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool down and crisp up perfectly.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Ensures uniform cookie sizes.
• Zester or grater: Helps create fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor.

Steps To Bake Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Fire Up the Oven

Warm the oven to a cozy 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Create Dry Magic

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl until perfectly blended.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

Beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that promises deliciousness.

• Splash in Sunshine

Incorporate egg, vanilla, lemon juice, and zest into the butter mixture, stirring until everything looks smooth and bright.

• Marry the Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Pop the dough in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute chill to help it set up perfectly.

• Roll and Dust

Scoop out small balls of dough and roll them generously in powdered sugar, creating a delicate, snow-like coating.

• Bake to Perfection

Arrange cookies on the prepared sheet, giving them room to spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges look set but centers remain soft and inviting.

• Cool and Savor

Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack, then enjoy these lemony delights!

Tips And Tweaks For Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Lemon Love Hack: Add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest for an intense citrus punch that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without losing texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be prepared and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance, or frozen for up to 2 months, perfect for spontaneous baking moments.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter to create a plant-based version that's equally delicious and tender.
• Texture Pro Tip: Don't overbake – cookies will continue firming up while cooling, ensuring that perfect soft, crumbly interior with a delicate crisp edge.

Cute Ways To Share Lemon Pixie Cookies

• Zesty Tea Party Delight: Serve these lemon pixie cookies alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey tea for a sophisticated afternoon treat that brings out the cookies' bright citrus notes.
• Dessert Plate Showstopper: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful white platter with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of extra powdered sugar to create an elegant dessert presentation that will impress guests.
• Summer Picnic Companion: Pack these cookies in a cute mason jar or vintage tin for a portable dessert perfect for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or backyard barbecues where their tangy flavor will shine.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Magic: Sandwich a small scoop of vanilla or lemon sorbet between two lemon pixie cookies for a refreshing and decadent summer dessert that combines creamy and crumbly textures.

Tangy Lemon Pixie Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Delightful lemon pixie cookies bring zesty brightness to classic shortbread with powdered sugar coating. Crumbly, tangy treats offer perfect balance between sweet citrus notes and buttery texture for delectable dessert enjoyment.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar (for rolling)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Set oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl until uniformly blended, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and significantly expanded, achieving a cloud-like texture.
4. Moisture Infusion: Blend egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the butter mixture, creating a silky, aromatic consistency that promises vibrant flavor.
5. Dough Development: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. Chill the dough for 30 minutes to develop structural integrity and create signature crinkly surfaces.
6. Cookie Shaping and Coating: Form tablespoon-sized dough balls, rolling each generously in powdered sugar to create a delicate, snow-white exterior that promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
7. Baking and Finishing: Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheet with ample spacing. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges firm up while centers remain tantalizingly soft, creating the perfect textural contrast.
8. Cooling Process: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing them to cool and solidify their delicate, crackled exterior.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and create a more compact, crinkly texture during baking.
• Zest with Precision: Use fresh lemon zest and avoid the bitter white pith underneath the lemon skin for a pure, bright citrus flavor in your cookies.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar just before baking, creating a beautiful crackled exterior that adds visual appeal and subtle sweetness.
• Temperature Control Matters: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underbaked to guarantee a soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 153
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg