I think we can all agree, there’s just nothing like Mom’s home cookin’. It just tastes better, doesn’t it? For that reason I’ve asked my Mom to submit some of her favorite recipes for me to share with y’all each Monday. Let’s get cooking in the kitchen with Mom!
Ever since we whipped up these cookies last year they’ve become a dessert staples for all kinds of occasions – holiday parties, picnics, wedding and baby showers and sometimes just because. I’ll warn you – these are so dang addicting you’ll wonder how you ate so many. They’re not overly sweet, which means you can nibble on them endlessly. And don’t skimp on the frosting – these cookies are hardy which means they can withstand a healthy dollop of the good stuff!
Lemon Sugar Cookie ingredients:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup Crisco
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp. lemon zest
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ¾ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 tbsp. milk
- 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter, Crisco and sugar until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla, egg and lemon zest. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to mixer and combine. (Don’t worry if the dough seems a little too crumbly at this point; the milk and lemon juice will bring the dough together.) Add the milk and lemon juice and stir until completely incorporated.
I like my sugar cookies soft so I put the dough in the refrigerator for 15 minutes at this point. If you like your cookies thinner and crisp, skip putting the dough in the refrigerator. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (or a few minutes longer if you’ve refrigerated the dough) until cookies are just beginning to turn golden on the edges. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- ½ lb. powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh lemon juice
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and well mixed. Add vanilla and mix. Add powdered sugar and salt and mix. Mix in fresh lemon juice (start with juice from ½ of lemon) until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Place a healthy dollop on top of each cookie and spread.
Eat and enjoy!