Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (2024)

Home Recipes Dessert

By Brandy

4.53 from 21 votes

Sep 09, 2019, Updated Dec 28, 2023

Jump to Recipe

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 (2)

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 (3)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients for vanilla bean lemon sugar cookies
  • Tips for making lemon vanilla bean sugar cookies
  • Substituting citrus
  • Freezing lemon sugar cookies
  • More cookie recipes
  • Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

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!

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (5)

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 (6)

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.

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (7)

More cookie recipes

  • Cinnamon Nut Cookies
  • Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
  • Lime Glazed Sugar Cookies
  • Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (8)

4.53 from 21 votes

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies

By: Brandy O’Neill

Servings: 24 cookies

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 12 minutes mins

Additional Time: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 32 minutes mins

Save

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (9)

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.

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: 1gCalories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 98mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 248IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @NutmegNanny or tag #nutmegnanny!

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (10)

Explore More

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Pineapple Pretzel Salad

Birthday Cake Macarons

Homemade Lemon Bars

Easy Cherry Danish

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, co*ke Zero, houseplants, and travel.

Read More

Vanilla Bean Lemon Sugar Cookies (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 5694

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.