Why We Love These Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Today’s Soft Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies are my new favorite cookie… I know, I know. I’ve said that before. However, these pillowy little drops of sunshine are so tender and vibrant, you can’t help but love them! Our Soft Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies are packed with lemon zest and poppy seeds for a tangy flavor that instantly makes you feel light-hearted. Plus those poppy seeds give these cookies a wonderful pop of color! These drop-style cookies take very little effort to prepare and retain their tender texture for days. They are a marvelous make-ahead for parties and weekend treats! Just be sure not to over-bake the cookies. The centers may look a little underbaked, yet the moment the edges are set and just barely showing color, take them out of the oven. You’ll end up with heavenly Soft Lemony Poppy Seed Cookies that will make everyone feel like celebrating! Perfect for summer or spring days when all you need is a fresh, sweet treat to brighten your day.
Ingredients You Need
Flour – all-purpose flour or a gluten-free replacement flour will work Baking Powder & Baking Soda – to give them lift and crunch Salt – to balance all the flavors Butter – softened to room temperature Sugar – granulated sugar Egg Lemon Zest – zest the lemon and then juice it Lemon Juice – for tang and extra lemon flavor Vanilla – for flavor Poppy Seeds – offer a bit of texture and go well with lemon! Yellow Food Coloring – makes them look extra lemony, but this is totally optional!
How To Make The Best Soft Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cream the butter and sugar together with an electric or stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 3+ minutes. Scrape the bowl and beat in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, poppy seeds, and yellow food coloring. Turn the mixer on low and add in the flour mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then mix until well combined. Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheets in 1 1/2 tablespoon portions using a cookie scoop or spoon, and place them two inches apart. Sprinkle the tops with extra poppy seeds. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden. Then cool on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week!
Tips & Tricks
These lemon cookies are perfectly delicious just as they are, but you can also prepare a lemon glaze to drizzle on top to transform these into iced lemon poppy seed cookies! Just whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice! Or dip them in a homemade lemon curd! Stop baking your cookies when they just start to gain color on the edges! This will result in chewy, tender cookies. If you over bake these cookies, they will end up hard! The lemon zest is what give these lemon cookie the deep, citrusy flavor. Don’t skip it! The easiest way to zest a lemon is with a microplane, or the smallest holes on a box grater. Don’t over-mix the cookie dough! Another trick to soft, chewy lemon cookies is to mix the dough only until it is combined! Over-mixing can result in tough cookies.
Looking For More Pillowy Cookie Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Elvis “Burning Love” Cookies Brown Butter Brown Sugar Cookies Freedom Cookies (Low Carb!) Fruity Pillow Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Best Sugar Cookies Chocolate Peanut Butter Pillow Cookies Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts
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