Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 10/14/20
Lemon cookies on a plate

The Spruce / Chosen Posture
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 11 mins
Total: 26 mins
Servings: 36 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
119 Calories
5g Fat
17g Carbs
2g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 119
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 35mg 12%
Sodium 134mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 2g
Calcium 29mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These bright and refreshing lemon cookies are tender and soft, finished with a wonderful citrus icing. Cream cheese give these cookies amazing flavor and texture. Bake up a batch for a party—they're incredibly easy to prepare and will disappear in a flash.

2:01

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Ingredients

  • For the Cookies
  • 2 cups (9 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 stick (4 ounces) salted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • For the Icing
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon zest

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

  3. Combine the flour with the baking powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.

  4. In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until light, about 1 minute.

  5. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.

  6. Beat in the egg and 1 tablespoon lemon zest.

  7. Stir in the flour, lemon juice, and lemon extract. Beat until well blended.

  8. Drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets with a small cookie scoop or tablespoon.

  9. With the bottom of a glass that's coated with sugar, flatten each cookie mound just slightly.

  10. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly browned.

  11. While the cookies are baking, make the icing. In a bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until well blended.

  12. Cool the cookies slightly on racks and drizzle each cookie with a scant teaspoon of lemon icing.