Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

When life gives you lemons, make cookies!
I've been looking for a recipe for a soft lemon cookie and discovered this great recipe from The Craving Chronicles. I made a couple modifications, (like adding love) and can't wait to try these again!

2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling
2 ounces cream cheese, cut in 8 pieces
zest of 1 large lemon
6 Tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon extract
a dash of love

Preheat oven 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Place sugar and zest in mixing bowl, combine until fragrant. Add cream cheese and butter, mix until creamy. Add oil, egg, lemon juice, milk, vanilla and lemon extract, mix until combined.
On lowest setting, add flour and mix only until ingredients are combined.  If you over mix flour it will toughen the texture.
Place remaining sugar in a small bowl. Using  small cookie scoop, portion out 12 dough balls per baking sheet. Roll each dough ball in your hands, then roll in sugar to coat. Space about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Makes about 24 cookies.
Bake 1 sheet at a time for 11-13 minutes, until set and just beginning to brown on the bottom. They might not look done, but don't over bake! Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. store in airtight container at room temperature.