Soft Baked Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies melt in your mouth with a burst of lemon in every bite. Perfect spring and summer cookie!

soft lemon poppy seed cookies - pinterest

This post and recipe was created for #SummerDessertWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% mine. Sponsored items used in this post are from Dixie Crystals.

Summer dessert Week is here! #SummerDessertWeek event is hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. You’re going to be in for a treat this year because we have 28 blogs/bloggers creating delicious summer themed dessert recipes all week! We’re sharing them with the hashtag #SummerDessertWeek on social media.

Let me tell you what I’ll be sharing this week:

Monday: Easy Air Fryer Blackberry Hand Pies
Wednesday: Soft Baked Lemon Poppyseed Cookies (that’s this recipe!)
Friday: Blueberry Muffin Cake

plate of lemon cookies with Dixie Crystals sugar package in background

I love lemon in so many baked goods. So it was an easy decision to make these lemon poppy seed cookies when I was making a list of recipes to make for this event. Last year, I made these beach themed lemon cupcakes for Summer Dessert Week and they are a huge hit! Get the kids involved in making the cupcakes. Of course, I made these Lemon Cooler Cookies that reminded me of my childhood, and Lemon Poppy Seed Scones are always a welcome treat with my coffee.

These soft lemon cookies will win over lemon lovers for sure. There’s lemon in the cookie dough and in the glaze.

How do the lemon cookies stay soft?

The tips are really good for any cookie recipe that you want the result to be a soft tender cookie versus a crisp chewy one. I love both in a cookie but for this recipe, I wanted to keep them soft. I experimented with adding a bit of cornstarch and honey to the recipe.

First shot out I failed and added too much honey and the result was more of a cake-like cookie. Second time was a winner. You see, the cornstarch (just a bit) will create a softer texture and the honey, along with the sugar adds to that softer texture.

Sure, you can leave them and the cookies will be just as delicious and soft. The main difference to me with the added ingredients is the texture of the cookie turns out much softer. Plus, the hint of honey adds another dimension of flavor.

stack of lemon cookies with poppy seeds in them

flour
baking powder
cornstarch
salt
butter
sugar
lemons (zested and juiced)
eggs
honey
poppy seeds
powdered sugar

Instructions for make Soft Baked Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

When making cookies, I like to have all of my ingredients out before I start. I also whisk together the dry ingredients and set them aside so that it’s ready when the recipe calls for them. Another tip is to have your baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (this one is one of my favs)

I used Dixie Crystals granulated and powdered sugar in this recipe. I believe that quality sugar also makes for a delicious baked good. It’s the only sugar I use – it’s that good.

Zesting lemons and making lemon sugar

It is also helpful to zest and juice your lemons for both the cookie dough and glaze before beginning to mix the ingredients. Using a citrus zester is best for getting the zest off of the lemon. Be sure to only get the yellow part of the skin and not the white. The white (pith) will be bitter. This is the zester I love to use. It’s great for zesting citrus, grating cheese, and spices like whole nutmeg. Oh, and grating garlic with it will change your life!

Always zest your lemons before cutting them in half and juicing them – easier!

When your recipes call for lemon zest and sugar, I find it easier to incorporate the zest with the sugar in a small bowl first before adding to the butter to be creamed. The lemon zest will be better mixed in and not clumped. Simple add the zest and sugar to the bowl and use a fork to blend. The sugar will turn a hint of yellow and you will smell the lemon.

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

Zest and juice 3 lemons; set aside. Mix 1 tablespoon of zest with 1 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 4

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, lemon sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and honey. The add the lemon juice and poppy seeds and mix until combined. Gradually add in the flour mixture until just combined.

Step 5

Divide the dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls using cookie scoop and drop onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten dough with your fingers or a spoon.

Step 6

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are just set and slightly golden brown. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely.

baked lemon poppy seed cookies cooking on wire rack

Step 7

To make the glaze: In a small bowl combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until a thick glaze forms. Add more sugar or juice as needed to get the glaze to the desired consistency. Dip each cookie into the glaze. Sprinkle with poppy seeds, if desired. Let the glaze set, about 20 minutes before eating or storing. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

lemon glaze on lemon poppy seed cookies on wire rack

Soft Baked Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies will delight everyone!

Tips Tricks and FAQs

Have all of the ingredients out before starting.
Whisk together the dry ingredients and set them aside so that it’s ready when the recipe calls for them.
Another tip is to have your baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Zest and juice your lemons before beginning the recipe.
Always zest your lemons before cutting them in half and juicing them – easier!
When your recipes call for lemon zest and sugar, incorporate the zest with the sugar in a small bowl first before adding to the butter to be creamed. The lemon zest will be better mixed in and not clumped.
Adding a small amount of cornstarch and honey to the cookie dough will result in a softer texture cookie.
Let the cookies cool completely before glazing.

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