Name: White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 3 h 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 71 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth that craves a bright, zesty burst paired with creamy indulgence, you’re in for a real treat with this White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe. These cookies are an absolute joy: packed with fresh lemon extract that awakens your senses and pockets of luscious white chocolate that melt in your mouth. They strike the perfect balance between citrusy tang and rich sweetness, delivering a soft, slightly crumbly texture that makes each bite pure bliss. Whether for a special occasion or a moment of everyday happiness, these cookies will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A metal baking tray lined with white parchment paper is filled with small clear glass bowls and a stick of pale yellow butter at the top left. The bowls hold different ingredients: white flour in a white bowl at bottom left, creamy white white chocolate chips in a central bowl, two white eggs on the right, white sugar in a bowl below the eggs, and smaller bowls with white baking soda, white baking powder, vanilla extract, salt, and a small amount of sour cream. The background features a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering these ingredients is a joy because each plays a vital role in creating the cookie’s flavor, texture, and that lovely golden color. With simple pantry staples and just a few special touches, this recipe is as straightforward as it is delicious.

Butter (1 cup): Provides the rich, creamy base and tender crumb that make these cookies melt in your mouth.
Granulated sugar (1 3/4 cups): Sweetens the cookies perfectly and helps create that beautiful golden finish.
Large eggs (2): Bind everything together while adding moisture and structure.
Lemon extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Packs in the vibrant citrus flavor that gives the cookies their signature brightness.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Balances the lemon with a warm, fragrant note that deepens the flavor complexity.
All-purpose flour (3 cups): The sturdy backbone that provides the right texture without being tough or dense.
Baking powder (1 1/2 teaspoons): Adds lift so the cookies are soft and just slightly puffy.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works alongside the baking powder for perfect rise and texture.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and balances the entire flavor profile.
White chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Bursts of creamy, sweet goodness that melt delightfully into each bite.
Powdered sugar (1/4 cup): For a delicate dusting, adding a subtle sweetness and elegant finish.

How to Make White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about two minutes and creates the perfect foundation for your cookies by incorporating air that results in a tender texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

Next, mix in the eggs, lemon extract, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and evenly blended. These ingredients bring moisture and that signature bright lemon flavor that makes this White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe truly special.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Incorporate the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until well combined. Then gently fold in the white chocolate chips, distributing those creamy bites evenly throughout the dough for a sweet surprise in every cookie.

Step 4: Refrigerate the Dough

Cover your dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least three hours. This step is key for developing flavor and ensuring the dough is firm enough to handle, which helps maintain the perfect texture when baked.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dough Balls

Set your oven to 350°F. Remove the dough and roll it into balls about two tablespoons each. The dough might be a bit crumbly at first, but as you roll, it becomes more manageable. Place these on an ungreased cookie sheet with about two inches of space between each to give them room to spread.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden brown. Resist the urge to overbake — these cookies are best when soft and tender. Let them cool on the sheet for about five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Once the cookies are fully cooled, dust them with powdered sugar to add a delicate sweetness and a charming presentation that’s simply irresistible.

How to Serve White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe

A square white plate filled with about fourteen round cookies stacked and spread around, each cookie light golden brown with a soft texture, dusted evenly with white powdered sugar on top. Behind the plate, there is a clear glass of milk about three-quarters full. The background shows a yellow and white striped cloth draped casually. The surface under the plate and glass is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar is classic and elegant, but you can also add a thin twist of lemon zest on top to amp up the citrus appeal and add a burst of fresh color.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, like Earl Grey or chamomile, which complement the lemon and creamy white chocolate. For a cozy contrast, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert magic.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cookies on a pretty platter lined with parchment, or stack them in a clear jar for gifts. Another fun idea is to sandwich them with a lemon cream filling, turning this recipe into a mini cookie sandwich sensation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and fresh, perfect for enjoying later without losing that delightful lemony zing.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough after shaping it into balls or freeze the baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. For baked cookies, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Warm cookies briefly in the microwave (about 10 seconds) or in a low oven (300°F for 5 minutes) to bring back their softness and enhance the melty white chocolate experience.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

Fresh lemon juice can add wonderful brightness but will introduce more moisture, potentially altering the cookie’s texture. Lemon extract is concentrated and essential for the perfect zing without changing the dough consistency.

What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?

You can chop a white chocolate bar into chunks as a substitute. Alternatively, milk or semi-sweet chocolate will change the flavor profile but still be delicious; just expect a different taste experience.

Why do I need to refrigerate the dough for three hours?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to roll and preventing excessive spreading during baking. It also helps the flavors meld so your cookies come out with the perfect texture and taste.

Can I make the dough vegan or gluten-free?

This recipe relies on butter, eggs, and all-purpose flour, so substitutions would require adjustments that may affect texture and flavor. Vegan and gluten-free versions would need alternative fats, egg replacements, and appropriate flour blends.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

You want the edges to be just golden but the centers still soft. If they look slightly underbaked in the middle, that’s perfect — they will continue to set as they cool, ensuring tender, luscious cookies.

Final Thoughts

This White Chocolate Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe is truly a little slice of heaven that brings brightness and sweetness in perfect harmony. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or simply yourself, these treats are sure to brighten any day. Don’t hesitate—give them a try, and I promise you’ll be reaching for them again and again.