Name: Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 200 g granulated sugar; 1 tbsp lemon zest; 110 g butter, room temperature; 1 large egg (59-60 g); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 210 g all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1 tbsp poppy seeds; 1/2 tsp salt; 50 g powdered sugar; 1-2 tsp lemon juice

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 43 reviews

If you adore bright, zesty flavors mingled with a delightful crunch, then this Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe is going to become your new obsession. These cookies are a perfect balance of tangy lemon zest, nutty poppy seeds, and tender crumb, all baked to golden perfection. With a light lemon glaze drizzled on top, each bite bursts with sunshine and sweetness, making them irresistible for teatime or any snack moment.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a metal baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper holding twelve raw cookie dough balls arranged in three rows of four. Each dough ball is roughly round and has a soft, slightly lumpy texture with small black specks scattered throughout, hinting at poppy seeds mixed in. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The secret to these Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create something extraordinary. Each ingredient is chosen not just for taste but for texture and aroma, so your cookies will be perfectly soft, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet.

Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with that delightful crunch.
Lemon zest: Infuses vibrant citrus notes that make the cookies burst with freshness.
Butter (room temperature): Provides a rich, creamy base for tender texture.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for soft cookies.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to balance the tart lemon.
All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookies for perfect chewiness.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and fluffy.
Baking soda: Contributes to a light, tender crumb with a slight crispiness.
Poppy seeds: Add a subtle crunch and unique nutty flavor.
Salt: Brings out all the sweet and lemony flavors spectacularly.
Powdered sugar: Key ingredient for the lemon glaze that finishes off the cookies beautifully.
Lemon juice: Adds tangy brightness to the glaze for that signature zing.

How to Make Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cookie Sheet

First things first, preheat your oven to 175ºC (350ºF) for a conventional oven, ensuring it’s perfectly heated when your dough is ready. Line a cookie baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help your cookies cook evenly.

Step 2: Infuse Sugar with Lemon Zest

In a bowl, combine granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub them together with your fingers until the sugar looks like wet sand. This step wakes up the essential oils in the lemon zest, giving your cookies that unforgettable citrus aroma.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Add your room-temperature butter to the lemon-sugar mixture. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream them together on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. This process makes the cookies wonderfully light and fluffy by incorporating air.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Scrape down the sides of the bowl to mix everything evenly, then add your egg and vanilla extract. Mix just until combined to maintain a smooth, silky batter that’s ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds, and salt. This ensures your leavening agents and seeds are evenly distributed for consistent texture.

Step 6: Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so gentle folding is the way to go for tender bites.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake the Cookies

Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2.5 tablespoons or 53 grams per cookie), portion out six cookies at a time onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes. The cookies will look soft but will firm up as they cool.

Step 8: Cool Your Cookies Properly

Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step finishes the cooking process and helps keep the cookies from breaking.

Step 9: Prepare and Drizzle Lemon Icing

Mix powdered sugar with 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice until smooth to create a lush glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooled cookies for a glossy finish and an extra burst of lemony sweetness.

How to Serve Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe

A close-up view shows several round lemon poppy seed cookies stacked and overlapping on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light yellow with small black poppy seeds spread evenly throughout. Some cookies are drizzled with white icing in thin, irregular lines across the top. Bright yellow lemon wedges are scattered near the cookies, adding a fresh color contrast. The texture of the cookies looks soft with slight cracks and bumpy surfaces, highlighting the poppy seeds. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an elegant touch, sprinkle a few extra poppy seeds or finely grated lemon zest on top of the icing before it sets. This adds a pretty visual contrast and a little extra crunch that your guests will love.

Side Dishes

Lemon and poppy seed cookies pair beautifully with a variety of cozy accompaniments. Think cups of herbal or green tea, frothy lattes, or even a chilled glass of fruity white wine if you’re feeling fancy. The bright flavors in the cookies soften and complement these drinks perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress? Arrange these cookies on a tiered serving platter interspersed with fresh lemon slices and small edible flowers. For gift-giving, package them in a cellophane bag with a colorful ribbon and a handwritten note about this delicious Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe. It’s a sweet treat that always delights.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week, making them an easy go-to snack anytime.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the baked, cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to three months without losing their wonderful lemony flavor.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked freshness, pop frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 160ºC (320ºF) for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep their crisp edges and tender interiors intact.

FAQs

Can I use lemon extract instead of lemon zest?

Yes, lemon extract can be used as a substitute, but zest offers fresher, brighter natural oils that really elevate the cookie’s flavor. Use about 1 teaspoon of extract if you’re swapping it out.

Are the poppy seeds essential?

While poppy seeds add that unique nutty crunch, you can omit them if you prefer or substitute with chia seeds or finely chopped nuts for a different texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum to maintain the dough’s structure and softness.

How long do the cookies keep their best flavor?

These cookies are best enjoyed within 3 to 5 days for optimal freshness, but as mentioned, stored properly they can last up to a week without losing their lemony brightness or soft texture.

Is it possible to double the recipe?

Definitely! Just be sure to mix in batches to maintain even texture and bake the cookies in separate sheets to allow for consistent heat distribution.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Lemon and Poppy Seed Cookies Recipe enough for anyone looking to brighten their baking repertoire. They are straightforward to make, bursting with flavor, and utterly satisfying with every bite. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they will quickly become a favorite to bake and share again and again!