In case it’s not obvious by now, I’m obsessed with ALL THINGS LEMON! I’ve had a lot of them on hand recently and since being quarantined I’ve got plenty of time for baking. Probably too much time. These Vegan Lemon Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy and of course… lemony!
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
Making Vegan Lemon Sugar Cookies is super easy. If you take a look at the recipe ingredients below, you’ll notice that they’re all pretty basic. I love a recipe with basic, easy to get ingredients!
You’ll want to start by creaming together the sugar and vegan butter until it’s fluffy. Add in all other remaining ingredients, aside from the two tablespoons of sugar to roll the cookies in. Combine all of the ingredients in the mixing bowl until the dough is formed.
Once the dough is formed you’ll use a cookie scoop to retrieve the cookie dough (I used a 1½ tbsp scoop). Then transfer each of the cookies to a small bowl containing the two tablespoons of extra sugar to roll the balls around in. Once all of the balls have been rolled, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy retrieval in order to avoid sticking. Transfer those babies to the oven and let ’em cook for about 10 minutes.
Ten minutes later your vegan lemon sugar cookies are done! Once you’ve allowed them to cool for a few minutes, they’re ready to enjoy. Feeling extra fancy? Add a little lemon zest to the top for garnish.
Can You Freeze Lemon Sugar Cookies?
If you’re wondering if you can freeze these vegan lemon sugar cookies, the answer is absolutely YES! Cookies never last too long in my house, but I had been baking lots of sweets when I made these, so I decided to freeze about half the batch.
A few weeks later my husband and I started talking about how good they were, so I decided to take some out one night before bed so they could thaw while we slept to enjoy the next day. BEST DECISION EVER!
The next day I reached for a cookie and to my surprise they tasted as if they were fresh out of the oven! I was so amazed that they were still just as soft and chewy as they were the first day I baked them. So if you’re thinking about freezing these vegan lemon sugar cookies, DO IT! It’s nice to have something to look forward to 🙂
I know you’ll love these easy vegan lemon sugar cookies. They’re simple to make, soft, chewy and delicious. Not to mention, #PickyAssHusbandApproved! These are perfect for sharing with friends or family. Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!
Other Lemon Desserts You’ll Love:
- Easy Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Vegan Lemon Cupcakes
- Cranberry Lemon Energy Bites
Tools You Might Need:
Other Vegan Cookies You’ll Love:
- Vegan Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Sugar Cookies
- Vegan Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Soft + Chewy Ginger Cookies
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Vegan Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp softened vegan butter
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 4 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp lemon extract
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp water (if necessary)
- 2-3 tbsp organic cane sugar to roll cookies in
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Use a mixer to cream together the sugar and vegan butter until fluffy.8 tbsp softened vegan butter, 1 cup organic cane sugar
- Add in remaining ingredients. Mix on medium speed to combine until dough is formed. If dough is still crumbly, add in 1 tsp of water at a time until it comes together2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp sea salt, 4 tsp lemon zest, 2 tsp lemon extract, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce, 1 tsp water
- Use a cookie scoop to retrieve the dough and roll into a ball with your hands, then coat all sides with the additional sugar in a small bowl.2-3 tbsp organic cane sugar
- Transfer each cookie to a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all dough has been rolled and coated in the sugar.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-11 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Loveee lemon desserts and this is super easy! 😍
These were truly love at first bite for me. The perfect size, texture, and flavor! They’re already a staple in my house. Thank you!
Lemon is my fav! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
These look good and simple to make. We are also gluten-free so we’ll just sub the flour. Excited to try them.
Love cookies and love lemon. I will definitely be making these for my family soon! Your recipe look so delicious!
Made these and they came out PERFECT! I love the flavors and they are the perfect texture. Thanks for the recipe!
These cookies look yummy!! I love All things lemon too!! 🍋
I’m always left stuck with what to serve my vegan friends when I host a get-together. These were the perfect option for dessert last night. Bright and citrusy. Even non-vegans loved them.
I made these delicious cookies today and they were a hit with the whole family. My 3 year old kept asking for more. I love the simplicity of the recipe and easy directions. I made them with gluten free flour and they cane out perfect. I will definitely be making these again!
Thanks Christine! So good to know that GF flour works too!
This were so simple and so delicious! Softest cookie ever and perfect for summer. I doubled the batch and shared the wealth with family and friends. Huge hit all around!
Thanks Caitlin! So glad everyone enjoyed these!
These are the bomb and easy to make. I definitely will be making these again.
What can I sub applesauce with?
I haven’t tried it personally, but could try subbing for equal parks more vegan butter.
I subbed with coconut yogurt (figured about the same liquid/acidity) and they came out perfect.
I love lemon desserts, and these look perfect!!!
Loved them! So easy to make! They’re like sunshine lemon drop candy.
Loved these so much! I am not vegan and these are seriously one of the best cookies I’ve made. They are super easy, minimal prep and ingredients. This is the perfect cookie because it’s a bit crispy but soft and chewy at the same time which is my favorite type of cookie. The first batch I cooked at 10 minutes and the second I did 12 minutes, both turned out amazing. Will definitely make these again : )
These lemon sugar cookies look absolutely delicious. I am currently obsessed with all things lemon at the moment as well so I completely understand.
These are sooooo good. My second vegan cookie attempt ever and I was blown away! No one could stop eating them! Will deff be making these again ASAP!
These cookies are amazing! The perfect lemon to sugar ratio, and they turned out so soft. Can’t wait to make them again!
turned out amazing! good for anyone who knows their way around a cookie.
So good. So easy. A little crunch on the outside. Soft on the link snide. Perfect. I love how simple the recipe is. I bake with my daughters (3 and 6) and the recipe was simple and quick.
These are excellent! I made them this afternoon and have already eaten half of them… I didn’t have any apple sauce so I subbed coconut yogurt and they turned out perfectly.
Just the yummiest lemon sugar cookies ever! The perfect hint of lemon, so light and soft; a hit with everyone who’s tried them already! I didn’t have any lemon extract, so I just used 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of lemon juice. As well, I didn’t have cane sugar, so I just used regular granulated sugar, and they turned out perfectly! Thank you for the fantastic recipe!
So easy and so amazing! The best vegan lemon sugar cookies I’ve made and a huge crowd pleaser!
I have added to my diet, more Vegan & plant based foods. Feel Great!, and healthier. B/Pressure GOOD! I am a retired senior. And cooking more healthier Meals. LOVE IT.
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I was looking everywhere for a lemon cookie recipe that did use a stick or more of butter and WOW!! I will definitely file this away as a repeat recipe! I added a little more lemon zest and juice to supplement not having lemon extract and the flavor came through beautifully. Can’t wait to make this for more family and friends!
**I meant I was looking everywhere for a recipe that didn’t use a stick of butter!!!
The first time I made these cookies was last week for Thanksgiving. The second time was today! I have a feeling I’ll be making these cookies a lot…. so delicious!! Thank you!
These cookies are delicious, easy to make and the perfect amount for a small batch. My husband and children loved them!
Truly delicious. I didn’t have any fresh lemon so I used fresh orange juice instead with lemon essence.
I was craving something a little tangy and little sweet and remembered about these lemon cookies! They were so easy to make!
Did the cookies come out flat for anyone else, also these cookies could use more sugar and less zest.
Made these with orange zest and orange extract and juice. SO good!
This is a perfect cookie; easy to make and very easy to love. Every year at this time, my friends bring me tree ripened lemons and ask me to make these. They call them “sunshine happiness cookies”. They look and taste professionally made. Their vegan status just makes them that much greater. I do sugar roll them twice because I like the frosted look and I like the added crunch but these are awesome either way. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Mmmm…..you just whet my appetite with your awesome vegan cookies. I love the lemon part you know. Thanks girl.