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    Home » Desserts » Cookies and Bars

    Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

    Published: Jun 13, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    lemon poppy cookies
    lemon poppy cookies
    lemon poppy cookies

    These Lemon Poppy Seed cookies are packed with flavor from vanilla, lemon zest, and crunchy poppy seeds - then topped with a sweet and sticky glaze. And they're easy to make in just 30 minutes!

    lemon poppy cookies

    Lemon poppy seed cookies are such a classic flavor combination. There's something about the tart lemon and nutty poppy seeds that just works so well together. 

    And since my Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins have been such a hit on the blog for years, I thought I would give a cookie version a try! 

    These Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies are: 

    • Packed with citrusy flavor.
    • Soft and pillowy. 
    • Easy to make with simple ingredients. 
    • Ready in under 30 minutes! 

    Whether you're looking for a sweet snack to enjoy with your afternoon tea or a dessert to share with friends and family, these lemon poppy seed cookies are a great choice.

    lemon poppy cookies

    Ingredients & Supplies You'll Need

    When it comes to making delicious lemon poppy seed cookies, there are some key ingredients and supplies you'll need to have on hand. Here's a rundown of everything you'll need to get started:

    Ingredients

    First and foremost, you'll need the right ingredients to make your cookies. Here's what you'll need:

    • Flour - Basic all-purpose flour works just fine here.
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Unsalted Butter - Softened at room temperature.
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Eggs - It's best if you start with room temperature eggs.
    • Lemon zest
    • Fresh Lemon Juice
    • Vanilla extract
    • Poppy seeds
    • Powdered sugar

    In addition, you'll need some basic supplies including mixing bowls, a stand mixer, baking sheets, and parchment paper. It's also helpful to have a zester!

    lemon poppy cookies

    How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

    To get started, preheat your oven to 350 F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt, and set it aside.

    Next, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla, and beat again until everything is well combined.

    In 2-3 smaller additions, add the flour mixture to the bowl, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the poppy seeds until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

    lemon poppy cookies

    Using a tablespoon, drop the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until slightly golden brown around the edges.

    lemon poppy cookies

    While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Use more or less juice depending on the desired consistency.

    Once the cookies are done, allow them to cool completely before drizzling or piping the glaze over the top. And that's it! You now have delicious lemon poppy seed cookies to enjoy.

    (Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions, measurements, and step-by-step images.) 

    lemon poppy cookies

    Helpful Tips & Tricks

    Use fresh lemon! 

    It might be tempting to use bottled lemon juice or skip the zest, but trust me, the fresh lemon flavor is worth it. It only takes a minute to zest a lemon - just do it.

    Don't overmix. 

    When adding the dry ingredients, mix them in slowly and just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. And if you're having trouble with the dough sticking to your hands, try dusting them with a little flour.

    lemon poppy cookies

    Storing the Cookies

    If you plan on eating your cookies within five days, simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will keep them fresh and prevent them from getting stale.

    If you want to keep your cookies for longer than five days, you can freeze them. First, let the cookies cool completely to room temperature. Then, store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

    Alternatively, you can freeze the cookie dough for baking later. Roll the dough into balls and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then transfer to freezer bags or another airtight container for storage.

    If you're storing multiple layers of cookies in the same container, make sure to separate them with a layer of parchment paper. This will prevent them from sticking together and getting damaged.

    lemon poppy cookies

    Variations & Substitutions

    Add mix-ins. 

    These cookies are delicious as is, but you can also try adding in some chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even chocolate chips.

    Try it with orange zest. 

    Substitute the lemon juice and zest for orange juice and zest for a new citrusy twist.

    Add almond flavor. 

    Try adding 1 tsp of almond extract and chopped almonds for an Almond Poppy Seed Cookie.

    Make it gluten free. 

    If you're gluten intolerant or just prefer to avoid gluten, you can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. 

    Make it dairy-free. 

    To make these cookies dairy-free, simply replace the butter with a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil. You can also use non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk, instead of regular milk.

    lemon poppy cookies

    More Tasty Treats

    If you love these Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas: 

    • Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
    • Lemon Poppy Seed Pudding Cake with Strawberries
    • Cranberry Lemon Bars
    • 25+ Insanely Good Summer Desserts

    Recipe

    lemon poppy cookies

    Lemon Poppyseed Cookies

    All She Cooks
    These Lemon Poppy Seed cookies are packed with crunchy poppy seeds and topped with a sweet and sticky glaze. And they're easy to make in just 30 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Cookies and Bars, Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36 cookies
    Calories 134 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup butter softened
    • 1 ½ cups sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 F, line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside
      lemon poppy cookies
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla and beat again
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Add the flour in 2-3 smaller additions, mixing well after each addition
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Stir in the poppyseeds
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Drop the cookies by healing tablespoon onto prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges
      lemon poppy cookies
    • Meanwhile prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth (use more or less juice depending on the desired consistency)
    • Allow to cool completely before drizzling/piping the glaze over the cookies
      lemon poppy cookies

    Nutrition

    Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 171IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword lemon poppy cookies, lemon poppy seed cookies, lemon poppy seed cookies soft, lemon poppy seed cookies with glaze
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    Nicole is a recipe developer, food photographer, and published cookbook author. At All She Cooks, she shares simple recipes to make every day a little bit more delicious. About Us →


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