Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Mmm…lemon. While those who know me well (and even those who only sort of know me) know that I’m a bit of a chocoholic, they also know of my deep-seated love for all things lemon. I’m fortunate that I don’t often have to choose between chocolate and lemon treats, because that’s a tough one. Given the option of one or the other against other desserts and it’s an easy pick, but both…I just couldn’t choose.

So…when I saw these lemon sugar cookies…lemon sugar cookies…with lemon cream cheese frosting, there was no question that I had to make them. Right away. Granted I made some modifications to use white whole wheat flour and my own sugar cookie recipe, but the idea in itself is mouth-watering, regardless of the recipe.

 

My mouth is watering right now just thinking about these cookies, in fact. Now, I’m not sure if I’ve told you all before or not, but I usually make whatever sweet treat it is I have planned, taste-test one, then take the rest to work and rarely do I eat any more of it. That was not the case, you guys, with these cookies.

J would have had a heart attack if he’d seen how many I devoured the day I took these to work. Of course now he’ll know if he reads this post. But it’s a dessert, so he probably won’t. Let’s hope.

But they were small. And it was a hellaciously busy and hectic day at work. I didn’t even get to take my lunch until almost 3 o’clock! I deserved a few cookies. Tell him!

A couple of the girls at work told me that these are now their favorite dessert that I’ve made – and they love my desserts y’all, so that right there should tell you that these are some kind of fabulous. And they’re made with white whole wheat flour, so that makes them a little healthier…nevermind the loads of powdered sugar that are in the frosting.

Here’s the thing y’all…these are lemony delicious, but they aren’t overly sweet. Yes, they’re sweet, but not knock-you-down-with-a-bite sweet. knowwhatimean?

And if you make them…whoever you give them to will be at your mercy and love you forever.

Ok, so maybe not, but they will love the cookies. Guaranteed. So make them.

Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Adapted from Lulu the Baker

Ingredients

Cookies (adapted from this Sweet Beginnings Original)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp lemon extract
• Juice & zest of 1 lemon
• 1 egg
• 2 1/3 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Frosting

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp lemon extract
• 1/2 lb powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• fresh lemon juice
• zest of 2 lemons for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, line a baking sheet with foil, and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Mix in the vanilla and lemon extract, egg, lemon juice and zest. butter and sugar on low speed until fluffy.
4. Finally, add the flour and baking and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula if necessary.
5. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, form the dough into balls and drop onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes until just set and starting to turn golden.
7. Allow to cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
8. Meanwhile, to make the frosting, place the butter and cream cheese in a clean stand mixer bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
9. Add the vanilla and mix, then add the powdered sugar and salt. Mix well and then stir in lemon juice as needed to reach a spreadable consistency (1-2 lemons – I say the more the better, but do it half a lemon at a time.)
10. When the cookies have cooled, use a small spatula to spread a generous amount of frosting onto each cookie, then top with a few shreds of lemon zest.