Lemon Cooler Cookies

Remember Sunshine Lemon Cooler Cookies from your childhood? They would literally melt in your mouth? Lemon crinkles galore.

Lemon Cooler Cookies, also known as Sunshine Lemon Coolers, are a classic cookie recipe using fresh lemon and powdered sugar. #lemoncoolercookies #lemoncoolers #lemoncookies www.savoryexperiments.com


 

Maybe you knew them as Sunshine Lemon Coolers because of their bright yellow hue that looks like a ray of powdered sunshine.

Lemon Cooler Cookies

Lemon Coolers still exist, but are fairly challenging to find. This recipe was not marketed as a copycat recipe, but simply the winner of a an LDS Cooking Competition found on Pinterest.

I have made them multiple times now and each time memories of Lemon Coolers come to those who eat them.

Lemon Cooler Cookies, also known as Sunshine Lemon Coolers, are a classic cookie recipe using fresh lemon and powdered sugar. #lemoncoolercookies #lemoncoolers #lemoncookies www.savoryexperiments.com

Fresh lemon is the best…

Once upon a time I was obsessed with all recipes that used fresh lemon. I generally enjoy citrus flavors and let’s be honest, they are super verstile for both sweet and savory recipes, but I had another reason. I bought a dwarf lemon tree.

Yep, his name was Grover and he lived in the living room. He provided us with lemons galore! Fresh lemons for all my recipes and beverages. It was glorious.

The downfall? Grover was a lot of work! This little citrus producing tree started to require a lot of TLC and then one weekend away he got some sort of mite.

I decided that for the amount of time he was requiring, I’d go back to buying lemons at the store. RIP Grover.

Lemon Cooler Cookies, also known as Sunshine Lemon Coolers, are a classic cookie recipe using fresh lemon and an easy cookie dough. #lemoncoolercookies #lemoncoolers #lemoncookies www.savoryexperiments.com

Lemon Cooler Cookies were one of my Grover recipes that I still make when I only use a portion of a lemon for other recipes. The light lemon flavor really requires fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Lemon extract doesn’t get the job done as well, although you can use it as a substitute if in a pinch.

If you are not familiar with Lemon Cooler Cookies, think about moist, barely there sweetness with a lemon tang and powdered sugar crust. Perfect for dessert, a potluck or to have with a spot of tea!

Similar to Old Fashioned Lemon Squares, they are delicious, soft and chewy.

Ingredients & Baking

You’ll need the standard cookie baking ingredients, plus lemon and powdered sugar, of course. This includes:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Egg
  • Lemon zest & juice
  • Fine sea salt
  • Baking powder & baking soda
  • Flour
  • Powdered sugar

Next you’ll make the dough. Roll it into 1-inch balls and then toss in powdered sugar.

Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet until flat and shiny, and there ya go- the best lemon cookies!

Tools:

Insulated Cookie Sheet– Insulated cookie sheets allow hot air to circulate around the entire cookie, resulting in even baking.

Stand Mixer- While this is an investment, I can guarantee you will use it more than you realize and will never regret the decision.

Zester and Juicer– Another kitchen necessity! Whether it be a savory or sweet recipe, every house needs a way to zest and juice citrus. Also great for making cocktails!

Sound like you are a person who loves cookies, here are a few more you might enjoy.

pile of cookies on a blue plate

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chunk Cookies are a soft chocolate chip cookie recipe using rich cream cheese and rustic chunky chocolate.
lemon white chocolate chip cookies on a wire rack

Lemon White Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

These Lemon White Chocolate Chip Cookies are a cross between a chocolate chip cookie & a lemon sugar cookie! A perfectly fluffy & mouth watering combination! 
Lemon Cooler Cookies, also known as Sunshine Lemon Coolers, are a classic cookie recipe using fresh lemon and an easy cookie dough. #lemoncoolercookies #lemoncoolers #lemoncookies www.savoryexperiments.com

Lemon Cooler Cookie Recipe

4.39 from 47 votes
Lemon Cooler Cookies, also known as Sunshine Lemon Coolers, are a classic cookie recipe using fresh lemon and powdered sugar. 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice.
  • Whisk or sift together salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour. Slowly add to wet mixture. 
  • Place powdered sugar into a separate bowl. Using your hands, form a 1-inch ball, roll in powdered sugar until fully covered and then place onto baking sheet. Continue until baking sheet is full with balls being approximately 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 8-9 minutes. The trick is to remove the cookies before they brown or cook too much. The tops will look flat or matte (as opposed to shiny.) Remove to a cooling rack.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your Lemon Cooler Cookies with a lovely cup of tea!
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was. 

Nutrition

Calories: 77 kcal, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Fat: 2 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 11 mg, Sodium: 44 mg, Potassium: 10 mg, Sugar: 8 g, Vitamin A: 85 IU, Vitamin C: 0.1 mg, Calcium: 3 mg, Iron: 0.3 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 77
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon cooler cookies, lemon sugar cookies
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.39 from 47 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. My first try and they came out good, simple to make with so much flavor. I will make them again and share.

    1. Two of the key ingredients are sugar. I’m sure it can be done, but I don’t bake without sugar.

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious and easy! Love recipes that require minimal special ingredients and this was one of them. Fulfilled my winter citrus cravings. Highly recommend.

  3. 5 stars
    Yum! Nice and soft, crunchy on the edges. I didn’t have powdered sugar, so made them without, but still very good!

  4. 4 stars
    I HAD SOME leftover lemons from a recipe (I didn’t make) and I decided to make some lemon cookies. I had a craving, but I am diabetic, so I took these to work and they were a big hit!
    I will be making these again in the summer 🙂

    1. Yikes! The whole batch does! There seems to be a glitch in the nutrition box that use. Thanks for pointing that out.

  5. 5 stars
    February in Arizona is citrus season – time to process those boxes of oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes we just harvested. Also the perfect reason to try new recipes to aid that endeavor. These cookies are a wonderful choice! A soft confection that maintains this texture for several days when refrigerated – if they last that long. The right blend to wake up your mouth with a fresh lemon explosion but enough sweetness to curb a sugar craving. A nice reminder that summer is coming.

    1. I am going to try this recipe today! Only I will add a pack of lemonade kool-aid to the powdered sugar to boost the flavor!