Gluten Free Lemon Cookies

Last Updated on July 20, 2021 by Kayla Berman

What do you do when life gives you lemons? You make Gluten Free Lemon Cookies of course! Or lemonade, but I’m choosing the cookies.

Gluten Free Lemon Cookies are like soft & cakey sugar cookies with an added burst of lemon flavor. They’ve got fresh lemon zest mixed throughout, plus a delicious drizzle made with real lemon juice on top! These homemade cookies are bright, pillowy, and a scrumptious combination of sweet & tart. Perfect for spring & summer!

overhead shot of gluten free lemon cookies

What makes these cookies gluten free?

The use of gluten free flour makes these cookies completely gluten free. I specifically used this Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-1 Baking Flour. It is made from a blend of gluten free flours, starches and xanthan gum and it is what I recommend you use in these cookies if you want to get the exact result that I did.

I recommend this gluten free flour because of the xanthan gum already mixed in! This is what helps to give the feel of gluten in these gluten free cookies. If you don’t use that exact flour just try to find one that also has xanthan gum!

stack of lemon sugar cookies

Ingredients needed for Gluten Free Lemon Cookies…

These cookies are essentially sugar cookies, but with a burst of lemon flavor! So you’ll pretty much need all your basic sugar cookie ingredients plus lots of lemon juice, extract, and zest.

  • Butter: Butter is used as the base of these cookies. It gives that classic, delicious taste. You’ll need 1/2 cup of softened salted butter!
  • White & Light Brown Sugar: A combination of white and light brown sugar is used in this recipe. I like the richness of brown sugar, but also wanted to use white sugar to keep these cookies light in color. Add 1/2 cup of each!
  • Powdered Sugar: Powdered, or confectioner’s sugar, is needed for the lovely lemon drizzle on these cookies! 7 tbsp is the perfect amount.
  • Gluten Free Flour: I recommend using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-1 Baking Flour in these cookies. I think its the best gluten free option out there! You will need 2 1/4 cups.
  • Eggs: 2 eggs are used in these gluten free lemon cookies for binding and extra moisture!
  • Vanilla & Lemon Extract: Vanilla extract and lemon extract give these cookies a bright and beautiful taste. Add 1 tsp of vanilla and 2 tsp of lemon!
  • Lemon Zest & Juice: Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest is absolutely key in this recipe! Both of course give a great lemon taste, but real lemon juice is also used in the drizzle and the zest is added as a garnish on top. They will help to make these cookies look as good as they taste! You’ll need 2 tbsp plus a little extra of zest and 4 tsp of the juice.
  • Baking Powder: 1/2 tsp of baking powder gives these cookies their soft, fluffy, & cake-like texture!
  • Salt: Lastly, add 1/2 tsp of salt to balance out the sweet & bring out all the delicious flavor of these cookies.
gluten free lemon cookies recipe

How to make these Lemon Sugar Cookies…

Making these cookies is easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Start by adding the softened butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until light & fluffy.
  3. Next add in the eggs one at a time, beating until combined after each one.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
  5. Then add in gluten free flour, baking powder, and salt a little bit at a time.  Beating after each addition until all ingredients are combined evenly.
  6. Place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll tablespoon sized scoops into balls.  Place on a parchment paper lined or greased baking tray.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes.
lemon cookies

Let’s make a lemon drizzle…

The lemon drizzle really completes these cookies in my opinion! It adds a delicious & final taste of lemon. It is also super simple to make and can be done while you are waiting for your cookies to bake.

Simply combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. The measurements listed should work perfectly, but if not just add a little more of either ingredient until you have the right lemon drizzle consistency. If the drizzle is too thin add more sugar and if it is too thick add more lemon juice.

Once the cookies are removed from the oven, let cool and add the lemon drizzle on top.

Note: If you’re not a fan of an icing drizzle on your cookies you could swap it out for a powdered sugar dusting. You won’t get that zingy lemon bite, but it is still a great topping option!

close up shot of lemon sugar cookies

Gluten Free Lemon Cookie Recipe FAQs…

How do I best store these lemon sugar cookies?

These lemon cookies can be stored in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for about 5 days. They will stay fresh for even longer in the refrigerator. Store in the fridge, again in an airtight container, for 1-2 weeks.

You can also freeze these lemon cookies for the longest storage. They’ll last in the freezer for a couple of months!

How do I know when these cookies are done baking?

These cookies should be done baking with the exact time listed in the instructions, 10 minutes. Gluten Free Lemon Cookies are not intended to brown too much so do not worry if yours don’t! They should be light in color and soft, cake-like, & fluffy in texture. Kind of like a pillowy vibe!

Why do I need lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract for these cookies?

Lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract are all used in this recipe because they all serve different purposes!

First I absolutely love to use real lemon juice and lemon zest in any lemon recipe because it gives a delicious and fresh feel! But I also love to add lemon extract because it is more of a concentrated flavor and helps the lemon really shine through. The combination of all three makes for the most beautifully bright & tasty lemon cookies!

gluten free lemon drizzle cookies

Check out some more bright & delicious recipes…

Connect with me!

If you make Gluten Free Lemon Cookies or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

soft & cake-like gluten free lemon cookies
gluten free lemon sugar cookies

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Gluten Free Lemon Cookies

Gluten Free Lemon Cookies are like soft & cakey sugar cookies with an added burst of lemon flavor. They’ve got fresh lemon zest mixed throughout and used as a beautiful garnish, plus a real lemon juice drizzle on top! These homemade cookies are bright, pillowy, and a scrumptious combination of sweet & tart. Perfect for spring & summer!

  • Author: Kayla Berman
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: about 24 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp lemon extract
  • 2 1/4 cup gluten free flour (I recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 11 Baking Flour)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Lemon Drizzle

  • 7 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 4 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Start by adding the softened butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until light & fluffy.
  3. Next add in the eggs one at a time, beating until combined after each one.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
  5. Then add in gluten free flour, baking powder, and salt a little bit at a time.  Beating after each addition until all ingredients are combined evenly.
  6. Place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll tablespoon sized scoops into balls.  Place on a parchment paper lined or greased baking tray.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes.
  9. While the cookies are baking work on the lemon drizzle.  Simply combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. (If the drizzle is too liquidy add more sugar & if too dry add more lemon juice)
  10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool.  Add the lemon drizzle to the cookies and sprinkle with any leftover lemon zest.
  11. Enjoy!

Keywords: gluten free lemon cookies, gluten free lemon cookies recipe, lemon sugar cookies

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