Best Citrus Zest Sugar Cookies Recipes

LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, pudding mix, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside.
• Combine white sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed to release oils of lemon zest into sugar, and until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add melted butter and mix on medium speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla and mix until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix on medium-low speed until just combined (be sure not to overmix), about 20 seconds. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl and mix for 2 more seconds.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with racks on upper and lower third of oven. Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar on a shallow plate and set aside. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove cookie dough from refrigerator and scoop with a spoon or ice-cream scoop into 2 1/2 ounce balls. Roll with hands to form an even ball and roll in sugar. Place about 1 1/2-inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
• Place baking sheets on upper and lower racks and bake until cookies have spread, are starting to crackle on top, and are golden brown around the edges, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating pans and switching racks halfway through. Remove and let cool slightly on baking sheets, about 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

OLD-FASHIONED LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl; set aside.
• Put sugars and lemon zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time, and then the lemon juice. Reduce speed; gradually add flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
• Scoop dough using a 2-inch ice cream scoop; space cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten cookies slightly with a spatula. Sprinkle tops with sanding sugar, then lightly brush with a wet pastry brush; sprinkle with more sanding sugar.
• Bake cookies until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks using a spatula; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

ORANGE SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg, orange zest, orange juice and extract. Gradually beat in flour., Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, milk and, if desired, food coloring until smooth. Pipe or spread over cookies; let stand until set.