If you're looking for something bright and citrusy to add some sunshine to your day, you will want to try these old fashioned lemon poppy seed cookies! This 100% homemade recipe uses fresh lemon zest and juice to create a tangy base flavor, adds crunchy poppy seeds to give them a hint of nuttiness, and finishes them with a sweet lemon glaze. They're perfect for any breakfast, dessert, or party table!

Best Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe

This simple lemon poppy seed cookies recipe takes my zesty lemon cookies and infuses them with crunchy poppy seeds to add a mild, nutty flavor. The combination of the texture and added flavor creates an irresistible dessert that is a nice change from the usual chocolate chip cookies or lemon poppy seed muffins.

My made-from-scratch recipe isn't just one of the most delicious you will try. Thanks to my foolproof technique and perfectly balanced combination of pantry essentials, it is also one of the easiest. Even beginners will find this recipe a breeze. It is packed with helpful information and expert tips to achieve the most fresh, flavorful, and chewy lemon poppy seed cookies.

The best part is that these cookies are super versatile, with several ways to customize and make them even more delicious! Toward the end of this recipe, you'll find several flavor variations that you can try once you've mastered the base recipe!

Katalin's Take On How to Avoid Flat Cookies

Let's be honest: when it comes to baking cookies, no one wants flat, boring cookies lying on a plate. The best cookies are thick with a chewy interior and crinkly top. In the case of these lemon poppy seed cookies, they should be as bright and cheerful as they taste!

To keep your cookies from literally falling flat, it all boils down to the technique and following the directions precisely as written.

Accurately measuring the flour and butter is also key, so I always stress using a digital scale. Too much butter or not enough flour can lead to overly thin cookies.

Chilling your dough properly, as warm dough is a common culprit for spreading. Although waiting even longer to enjoy your cookies may be challenging, respecting the chilling time will keep the butter firm and help the cookies hold their shape during baking. Never skip this step!

Don't forget to double-check the quality and expiration date of your baking soda or baking powder—flat cookies can often be blamed on leaveners that are no longer fresh.

Finally, your oven temperature matters more than you think! A digital oven thermometer is another piece of equipment I always recommend using when baking. You want to ensure the heat is just right because a too-hot oven can cause the butter to melt too quickly.

For more detailed tips on avoiding flat cookies, check out my guide, Why Are My Cookies Flat?

Make & Bake the Cookies

Before beginning the recipe, ensure your egg and butter are at room temperature so they blend into the batter effortlessly. To quickly bring your egg to room temperature, put it in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes. See my guide on softening butter quickly for tips on bringing the butter to room temperature without using a microwave.

It is also important to use only unsalted butter to avoid adding more salt to the recipe. You can also make your butter at home.

Start by zesting one large organic lemon and then massaging the zest with granulated sugar.

Then, using an electric hand mixer, cream the softened butter with the lemon sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.

Add the room-temperature egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and mix just until thoroughly incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Do not skip the salt—it helps to balance the sweetness!

Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the above-mentioned dry ingredients plus the poppy seed into the wet ingredients until they are combined.

Next, line two baking sheets with parchment paper and divide the dough into ten equal portions. For the most consistent measurements, use a digital scale, ice cream scoop, or cookie scoop.

Place five cookie dough balls on each baking sheet, leaving enough space between each to give them room to spread. Then, place the baking sheets in the fridge to chill the dough for at least one hour.

Toward the end of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 347°F (175°C). Do not use the oven fan. Once the dough has sufficiently chilled, bake the cookies for 15 minutes.

Once baked, allow the cookies to rest for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack. They will continue to set as they cool.

Prepare the Lemon Glaze

For the sweet finishing glaze, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice with the powdered sugar. You can adjust the consistency as needed by adding more juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.

Once you achieve the desired texture, use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies. Then, sprinkle on lemon zest and poppy seeds to add the finishing touch!

Storing & Freezing

It is hard to imagine having leftovers of these lemon poppy seed cookies, but if you do, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

To freeze, wait until they have cooled completely to room temperature, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature.

Flavor Variations

For fun and delicious ways to take the flavor and texture of your lemon poppy seed cookies to the next level, you can try one of the several following variations:

Instead of the lemon glaze topping, you can drizzle your cookies with raspberry or blueberry glaze, as I do in my raspberry donuts and blueberry donuts recipes.

You can also try topping your cookies with my luscious mascarpone frosting and a dollop of lemon curd in the center. Or, swap out the lemon curd for mango curd or strawberry compote for a fruity flavor twist!

Swap out fresh lemon juice and zest with orange to make orange poppy seed cookies.

In addition to the crunchy poppy seeds, stir in blueberries to the batter, as in my lemon blueberry cookies recipe. You can also mix in raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries.

Add a pinch of ground cardamom to the batter to give your cookies a bit of warmth that pairs beautifully with the citrusy lemon flavor!

Ingredient Substitutions

For gluten-free cookies, replace all-purpose flour with a suitable gluten-free alternative, such as almond flour. Refer to my flour guide for more alternatives and their best uses in baking.

To make your lemon poppy seed cookies vegan, substitute regular butter with a dairy-free version and use an egg replacement.

While it is possible to modify your lemon poppy seed cookie ingredients to make them gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free, other ingredient adjustments might be necessary to maintain the ideal balance of flavors and textures.

Check out my substitution guides for more details on baking substitutes and how to adjust recipes!

Expert Tips For Making Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

For the best flavor, use only freshly squeezed lemon juice and the highest-quality vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste). Avoid using lemon extract, which overpowers and gives a false lemon flavor.
When combining the dry ingredients, sift the flour and baking soda first to avoid unwanted lumps in the batter.
Pay close attention to when to switch from an electric hand mixer to a rubber spatula. Using a mixer to combine the wet and dry ingredients can result in overmixing and excessive gluten development, resulting in dry, cakey cookies.
Never skip preheating your oven. Preheating ensures the correct oven temperature throughout baking, giving you the best results within the given timeframe.
If you prefer super gooey over crispy lemon poppy seed cookies, you can reduce the baking time to slightly underbake them.
If the cookies spread too much during baking, use a large cookie cutter when they come out of the oven to apply circular movements and tighten the shape back into a perfectly round shape.

What Equipment To Use

A digital scale is a must-have for accurate and consistent measurements. A digital oven thermometer will ensure your oven stays at the ideal temperature to bake perfect cookies.

You will need an electric hand mixer to combine your wet ingredients. To avoid overmixing, you will need to switch to a rubber spatula when adding dry ingredients.

Lastly, a wire cooling rack is essential for evenly cooling cookies and preventing soggy bottoms.

If you loved these zesty, soft lemon poppyseed cookies, you will want to try my other lemon-flavored cookie delights:

And for even more delicious cookie ideas to spruce up your dessert table, check out my roundup of 60+ Different Types of Cookies.

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Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies