Dear Friends,
These Lemon Drop Cookies are sweet deliciousness. No, really. It’s my new favorite next to a warm chocolate chip. Seriously. I know you love your chocolate and I know you are doubting me right now, but just have a little faith. TRY THIS COOKIE, then come back and thank me a million times over for finding it and posting it for you.
You’re welcome 😉
Seriously though, it’s wonderful. These are tender, lemony and oh so perfect. Our oldest daughter has taken these lemon drop cookies on as her own. She makes it all by herself and they turn out just lovely. At first I really wanted to pop in and take over as I could tell she wasn’t beating in the sugar long enough, but I let go of control and just played a supporting role and now, a few batches later they are perfect and we adore them. In fact, I will now keep lemon drops on hand as I do chocolate chips.
How to Make Lemon Drop Cookies
The lemon drops need to be blended in a blender so they are turned into a powder. We measure out 3/4 cups of the drops and then blend them up and whisk them into the dry ingredients.
You can also see all of the steps in this super quick video tutorial for lemon drop cookies recipe.
Can You Use Shortening Instead of Butter?
This recipe uses shortening because with the addition of lemon drops the cookies tend to get dried out so butter is a tricky fat to use as it doesn’t stay as soft in cookies either. Now, we agree that butter is best, so if you need to you can use a little butter and the rest shortening or go ahead and use all butter, but please remember that they will be a more crisp cookie.
It’s also best to use the glaze just a few minutes after the cookies come out of the oven. It soaks in just a little and sets up beautifully.
More COOKIE RECIPES You’re Going to Love:
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- Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies
- NY Times BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
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- White Chocolate Molasses Cookies
- Nutella and Dulce de Leche Stuffed Cookies
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Lemon Drop Cookies
Lemon Drop Cookies
Description
Ingredients
Recipe adapted from See Jane in the Kitchen
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening, or regular shortening or butter but they are more dry with butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3/4 Cup Brach's Lemon Drops - 9oz
For the Glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- juice of two lemons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In mixing bowl, cream sugar, shortening for 1-2 minutes and then add eggs; add flavorings.
- Stir in dry ingredients, lemon zest, and crushed lemon drops powder (I crush them in my blender).
- Roll into balls, flatten slightly, and bake on parchment lined (if you don't use parchment, cookies will stick to pan) baking sheet for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Let cool slightly on pan for a couple of minutes.
- Make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice.
- Brush glaze over cookie tops.
- Let cookies cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Doterra Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies
Kaisley
This was a great recipe I loved them! But I did do something different I added slightly crushed bits of lemon drops to put on top of the cookie to give it that more lemon drop flavor. I did still use the 3/4 lemon drops in the dough and this was just something extra. Thank you for getting this recipe on the internet.
Sweet Basil
Hi Kaisley! That sounds perfect! So glad you enjoyed them!
Meredith Bleak
Have you frozen them glazed? Or is it best to freeze them and glaze them when you take them out? We love extra cookies in the freezer to be able to thaw and run them to someone who needs a batch. We’ve never done a lemon cookie before though.
Sweet Basil
Hi Meredith! I would glaze them after they thaw and right before serving.
Kristy P
My daughter won best of show in Junior Foods at our county fair with your recipe! They are delicious and so refreshing!
Sweet Basil
No way!!! You’ve made our day! Congrats toy our daughter! And thanks for the feedback!!
Amy Dix
I have to tell you, I have made a ton of cookies in my lifetime and I felt slightly snooty about using crushed lemon drop candies. AND SHORTENING ! But then we made these. And they are incredibly delicious. They make my list of all time favorites so THANK YOU!
Sweet Basil
Hahahaha! Yesssss! It is pretty shocking, right?! It’s just the perfect combination ever! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Carolyn
These look amazing! I love the glaze on top!
Sweet Basil
Thank you!
Megan @ Megunprocessed
I use to love lemon drops as a kid! These look tasty!
Sweet Basil
These are so good!
Jersey Girl Cooks
I love the idea of using lemon drops inside!
Sweet Basil
They are so good!
Linda fox
I want to bake these now, but it’s late night so I’ll just dream about them and bake them in the morning. Thanks for the recipe.
ashley
These look perfect!
Sweet Basil
Thank you!
Lisa
If using regular shortening, the ingredient listing says *see note. Help! I don’t see the note. Should butter be added to the regular shortening? Thank you and I thoroughly enjoy your blog.
Sweet Basil
Hi Lisa, if you use regular shortening just know that while they will be softer and all kinds of wonderful you wont have that slight buttery flavor. We love to use 3/4 shortening to 1/4 butter just to help with that.
Salma Chopdat
Hi I am loving your recipes.keep up the good work. I was wondering what are lemon drops? Are they them hard boiled sweets?
Sweet Basil
Hi Salma, lemon drops are just a hard candy you buy at the store. 🙂
burntapple
Never made lemon cookies with lemon drops, but this recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer
Looks yummy!
Jane
How nice to see this on of my favorite cooking blogs! I don't know anyone that doesn't absolutely love these. Have a great day!
Barbara Bakes
I made a similar cookie recently only with butter – so good!
Madhura Manoj
yummy cookies.will try this