Vegan Lemon Cookies with a simple, tangy lemon glaze, are easy to make, buttery, soft, light, and bursting with lemon flavour!
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"These are absolutely the best cookies I have ever made in my life -and I'm an old broad who has baked a ton of cookies. All of my friends agree and cannot believe they are vegan."
- Lori ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ More reviews →
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These Vegan Lemon Cookies...They are just So good!
We're talking super light, soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture with bright lemon, buttery flavour. Then come the swizzles of sweet, zingy lemon icing that take them right over the top.
That balance between soft cookie rolled in crunchy granulated sugar, and crunchy, brittle, lemon icing...Make plenty because vegan cookie recipes don't get better than this and I can guarantee you won't be stopping at one!
Ingredients
To make these Vegan Lemon Cookies you will need just a few simple ingredients. No eggs required!
And some important ingredient notes:
- Flour - All-purpose flour gives just the right texture (plain flour if you are in the UK). I don't recommend using any other type of flour.
- Cornstarch - This is the egg substitute in this eggless lemon cookie recipe. It's a key ingredient and is what gives the cookies such a great texture. So soft and light! I do not recommend omitting it or using anything else.
- Sugar - Cane sugar or white granulated sugar. Wondering about vegan sugar brands? See the FAQs! The sugar sweetens the cookies, adds structure, and texture, and helps them spread perfectly while allowing the lemon flavour to really shine. Darker sugars don't work as they will ruin the lovely colour and flavour of the cookies.
- Lemon - We are using fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Don't sub this for bottled lemon juice. It's important to use a fresh lemon because most of the lemon flavour and fragrance is in the zest and not the juice.
- Vegan butter - So important for great flavour. Harder dairy-free butter will give you better cookies than soft margarine-style ones. I used the tub Earth Balance. I don't recommend using Melt Organic tub or sticks for baking. It has a much lower fat content than Earth Balance and does not give good results, especially in cookies.
- Baking soda - Our leavening agent of choice in this recipe. It is necessary to achieve the intended spread, colour, flavour, and texture. The cookies won't turn out at their best if you use baking powder. This article about the function of baking powder and baking soda in cookies is really interesting in case you want to learn more.
- Powdered sugar - For the drizzly lemon icing. I love Wholesome Sweeteners brand.
Other flavour ideas - Try switching the lemon for any other citrus fruit. Lime, orange or blood orange would be amazing! You could also add a tablespoon or two of poppy seeds or a little chopped fresh rosemary or thyme. Love raspberries? Give my Vegan Raspberry Cookies a try!
How To Make Vegan Lemon Cookies
These are really quick and easy cookies. Here's how it's done:
- Cream the butter with the sugar, salt and
- Add the dry ingredients and mix them until just combined. It's important not to over-mix. Then refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Scoop out, form balls, roll in granulated sugar then lay out on a baking tray.
- Bake until very lightly golden on the bottom.
- Mix the easy 2 ingredient icing.
- Drizzle it on cookies.
Storing Cookies
Vegan Lemon Cookies will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Recipe
Vegan Lemon Cookies
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
For the cookies
- ½ cup (110 grams) vegan butter , (harder vegan butters work better than soft margarine style. ones)
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated white or cane sugar , plus a little for rolling (all organic sugar is vegan)
- 1 very packed tablespoon lemon zest , (usually about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1¼ cup (156 grams) all-purpose flour , (plain flour in the UK)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda , (bicarb in the UK)
For the glaze
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ to ¾ cup (63 to 94 grams) powdered sugar , you might need a touch more
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- To a mixing bowl or stand mixer, add the vegan butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat together really well until light and fluffy.
- Add in the lemon juice, cornstarch, and salt, then mix again until combined.
- Next, add the flour and baking soda. Stir together with a spatula until a smooth and thick cookie dough forms. It's important not to over-mix which is why it's best not to use an electric mixer.
- Cover the bowl with clingwrap or a wet, clean, dish towel, and let chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Up to a few days is fine but if leaving it that long the cover needs to be airtight so the cookie dough doesn't dry up.
- While waiting, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the chilled cookie dough from the fridge. If the cookie dough was in there for much over 30 minutes you will probably need to let it soften for 5 minutes or so until it's scoopable.
- Scoop using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop then roll into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar before placing on the lined baking sheet, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space around each one.
- Place the cookie dough balls onto the baking sheet. Bake for about 14 minutes or until the bottoms are very lightly golden and puffy, and the cookie is cooked through but still feels soft in the center.
- When you remove them from the oven they will be puffy. Bang the baking sheet hard twice on the stovetop or on a wooden cutting board. This knocks the air out of them, improving the look and texture.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- When completely cool make the lemon glaze. Add the lemon juice to a small bowl then add in ½ cup of the powdered sugar. Whisk together to form a thick icing. It should be really thick but drop slowly off the spoon/whisk for drizzling. If it's a little thin add the rest of the powdered sugar gradually until thick enough.
- Using a teaspoon, drizzle the icing over the cookies in a zig-zag motion then allow to harden for a few minutes.
NOTES
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Recipe FAQs
Yes! Roll the dough into balls and freeze. You can bake them straight from frozen, no need to thaw them. Just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Yes, you MUST chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. If you bake the unchilled dough the cookies will be prone to spreading and will turn out thinner and flatter.
Yes, simply double all of the ingredients including the baking powder and soda. Hover over the serving size in the recipe card and a slider will appear. As you move it the ingredient quantities will change automatically. No need for any complicated maths!
Here in Canada the 2 big sugar producers, Rogers and Red Path, are both vegan and in the UK and Europe pretty much all sugar is vegan. If you are in the US you will need to be more careful and research what brands are vegan in your area. Some common brands that you should be able to find easily and that are vegan include Wholesome Sweeteners, Kirkland Organic Cane Sugar, Trader Joes, Bob's Red Mill, Florida Crystals, Billington's, Michigan Sugar Company, Imperial, Now Foods, and In The Raw. Also, all organic sugar is vegan by default wherever you are in the world.
This recipe has not been tested with gluten-free flour, but Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour usually works well in recipes like this.
No. No extra liquid can't be added to the cookies without affecting the texture of the cookie dough and the finished cookies. Also, lemon zest contains more concentrated lemon flavour than the juice so without it the cookies won't taste nearly as lemony.
Teresa says
Wonderful cookies! Great lemon flavor. Great texture. They taste great!
Jen says
These cookies didn’t make 4 hours
Melanie McDonald says
Ha ha, we have the same problem in our house! So pleased you enjoyed them!
Lauretta says
I did a ‘test’ batch before giving to guests - it definitely passed! The texture and real lemon flavor make these a keeper - and so pretty!
Melanie McDonald says
Glad your "test" batch was a success! Hope your guests enjoy them too!
Courtney says
these are literally insanely good! I made these for my vegan sister this holiday and I'm truly blown away by how good they came out. I followed the recipe to a T. the consistency, moisture, flavor, just perfect! thank you so much for the recipe!
Melanie McDonald says
Love to hear that Courtney! Thank you for coming back to leave a review. It's much appreciated!
Maraika Mason says
Hi Mel. Do you think GF flour could be used? Cheers
Melanie McDonald says
I've never tried so don't know how they would turn out. Sorry!
jane says
Yes to Lemon Cookies! Really delicious. I doubled the zest! Thanks Mel!
Cheryl Stow says
These are amazing! Will be making regularly instead of buying biscuits (uk for cookie!)
Amanda says
These cookies were delicious. Our family enjoyed them so much we were talking about them days later! I made them as is, no substitutions. Currently looking for more of your recipes to try!
Melanie McDonald says
Love that Amanda! Hope you enjoy the other recipes you try just as much!
Lori says
These are absolutely the best cookies I have ever made in my life -and I'm an old broad who has baked a ton of cookies. All of my friends agree and cannot believe they are vegan. I love turning folks on to being vegan, one cookie at a time! Thank you!!
Melanie McDonald says
Love this Lori! So pleased you all enjoyed them!
Kaja says
hi, do you think I would be able to use coconut oil, instead of vegan butter?
Melanie McDonald says
I honestly don't know because I've never tried it. I think in this recipe the buttery flavor of butter is so good with the lemon that I personally wouldn't use coconut oil. You would be changing the chemistry too. Vegan butter isn't 100% fat whereas coconut oil is. The two also have different melting points so the spreading of the cookies could be affected.
So basically, if you want to know 100% that they'll turn out well I recommend following the recipe as written. If you're willing to risk them not being so great then you could try the coconut oil. I hope that helps!
Stephanie says
I have been following your page and have made many of your delicious recipes. Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes with the world! I made these cookies and they were some of the best cookies I have ever eaten!
Melanie McDonald says
You're welcome. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the cookies!
Sandy Lynn Stevens says
Excellent and easy. The icing adds perfect sweetness/lemony taste.