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Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies

These vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies are perfect for your cookie routine. They are packed full of vanilla bean paste and lots of lemon zest and rolled in sugar for a delicious sweet treat. 

vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies on a tray

Are you a lover of all things vanilla bean and all things lemon?

Well, if you answered yes, you’re in luck! These vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies are the best thing you’ll ever make!

Packed full of lemon zest, lemon juice, and a tablespoon of rich and flavorful vanilla bean paste.

They pair perfectly with a mug of tea or a cup of coffee.

And they not only store well and stay moist for days, but they also freeze beautifully as well!

If you’re not a fan of lemon, you could easily substitute in some orange zest to create a great creamsicle-flavored cookie!

Craving more lemon desserts? Try my Lemon Curd Tarts, Lemon Curd Cupcakes, Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake, or my Lemon Shortbread Cookies.

vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies on a tray with a green napkin

Ingredients for vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies

These cookies are the perfect balance of cozy vanilla and zingy lemon. These cookies are the perfect use for all that winter citrus!

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03/17/2024 10:36 am GMT
vanilla bean lemon sugar cookie broken in half on a plate

Tips for making lemon vanilla bean sugar cookies

  • I always like to use an electric stand mixer when I’m making cookies, but these can easily be done in a hand held mixer as well. I’m lazy and love how easy it is to turn it on and walk away. 
  • As always, I used my favorite ingredient – vanilla bean paste. Do you have to use it? No. Vanilla extract will work just as well, but vanilla bean paste gives you a big-time vanilla flavor. 
  • I also love to use my OXO cookie scoop when making these cookies because it ensures that each cookie will be the same size and cook at the same speed. Some people think cookies scoops are necessary, but I love them. 
  • Part of the baking process involves taking the cookies out of the oven, pressing them down, and baking some more. This helps the cookies get that crinkly-looking top and helps them bake evenly and perfectly. I like to use the bottom of a glass drinking glass for this step, but you could also use a measuring cup or small spatula. 

Substituting citrus

Of course! Orange and vanilla bean is a great combination. It’s almost like a creamsicle in cookie form. Meyer lemon is also an awesome choice. 

I would likely skip pairing vanilla bean and lime. I don’t find the combination super delicious. 

vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies on a tray with fresh lemon surrounding the cookies

Freezing lemon sugar cookies

Yes! In fact, I made a full batch and froze half to see how they would turn out. 

I left them in the freezer for two months and let them defrost on the counter before I ate them. They were just as soft and delicious as the day I made them. 

Just ensure you store your cookies well before you freeze them so they don’t get freezer-burnt. I wrapped mine in plastic wrap and put them inside a freezer-safe zip-top bag. 

close up of a vanilla bean lemon sugar cookie
These vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies are the perfect addition to your summer cookie routine. They are packed full of vanilla bean paste, tons of lemon zest and rolled in sugar for a delicious sweet treat. 

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies

These vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies are the perfect addition to your summer cookie routine. They are packed full of vanilla bean paste, tons of lemon zest and rolled in sugar for a delicious sweet treat. 
4.53 from 21 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 32 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, and kosher salt and set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer add 1-1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, butter, lemon zest, and vanilla bean paste.
  • Mix until creamed and the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times while mixing.
  • Add in the egg and lemon juice, mix just until combined.
  • With the mixer on low, slowly add in the flour mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Cover the bowl, and let the dough rest for an hour in the refrigerator.
  • Before baking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare baking sheets with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
  • Scoop out 2 tablespoon sized balls of dough, roll in remaining 1/2 cup sugar and place on your prepared baking sheets. Leave 2 inches between cookies.
  • Place into the oven for 6 minutes, remove, flatten cookies to 1/4 inch thick with the bottom of a glass and add back to the oven to bake for another 6 minutes.
  • Let cool and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon sugar cookies, vanilla bean sugar cookies
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Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Chelsea

Saturday 25th of December 2021

Such a delicious recipe. I was looking up ways to use my vanilla bean pods and your recipe showed up. I was far along into making the cookies when I realized this recipe used vanilla bean paste. So I used 1 bean pod instead and it they came out delicious. Also had to put them in for one minute longer. Will be making this again. Thank you so much !

Sophie Anderson

Thursday 10th of October 2019

These cookies are pretty and sound delicious!

Whits@amusebouche

Tuesday 24th of September 2019

I’ve never made cookies from scratch but you make it look easy! I love Lemon cookies and the vanilla Bean added is a plus!

Sabrina

Thursday 19th of September 2019

a great cookie, and my downfall, u can see myself eating the whole batch, lemon vanilla are one of my favorite combos, thank you

Gina

Thursday 12th of September 2019

These cookies are absolutely DELICIOUS!

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