Soft Lemon Cookies (Olive Oil Lemon Cookies)

Name: Soft Lemon Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 large egg; ¾ cup sugar; ⅓ cup olive oil; 1 lemon, zested and juiced; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 2 cups all purpose flour ((300 grams)); 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

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Soft Lemon Cookies with olive oil are the perfect cookie for any occasion! This simple one bowl recipe comes together in just minutes giving you the best lemony treat.

Soft Lemon cookies stacked on each other on a white board.

If you love lemon, these cookies are for you! Soft lemon cookies are the perfect simple recipe to have on hand when you’re craving a lemony sweet.

And, if you love lemon desserts, be sure to try Lemon Polenta Cake made with cornmeal, or my fan-favorite Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake. And, for a real simple treat, try these delicious Lemon Blondies! If you love soft cookies, be sure to check out my Apple Spice Cookies recipe!

Table of Contents

Why these Soft Lemon Cookies are the BEST!

Delicious recipes don’t have to be complicated or full of ingredients. That’s what makes these cookies so special. Just a few ingredients and you have the softest and fluffiest lemon cookie that’s sure to be your new favorite.

This recipe is full of pantry staples. And, since it’s made with olive oil instead of butter, you don’t have to wait for the butter to soften.

Also, with this recipe, there is no special equipment required. All you need is a bowl, spoon, and baking sheet. No hand mixer or even a second bowl for the dry ingredients.

Here, lemon is the main ingredient so you really get that lemony flavor in each bite. The recipe calls for the zest and juice of a lemon, but if you really love lemon, you could double the zest.

Lastly, this recipe is super easy to make. It’s a one-bowl cookie that comes together quick with no need for a hand mixer. Just stir together the ingredients and scoop into balls.

Ingredients

Only seven ingredients required to make these delicious soft lemon cookies! You probably have most of them on hand already too! All you need is: flour, baking soda, lemon, egg, sugar, olive oil, and powdered sugar.

Olive oil: this recipe reminds me of an Italian cookie I used to make which is why I opted to include olive oil instead of butter. It gives the cookie a moist and sweet flavor. Opt for a neutral extra virgin olive oil rather than a heavily flavored one.
Lemon: an entire lemon (zest and juice) is needed for this recipe. If you happen to really love lemon, you can double the amount used. Or, if you wanted to try with a different flavor, orange juice and zest could be used instead.
Powdered sugar: to finish off this cookie, I roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. You can, however, omit this step altogether. Alternatively, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on the cookie before serving.

Read on to see how simple and easy this recipe really is!

How to make soft lemon cookies

This recipe comes together quick and is great if you need a quick cookie for entertaining or just to snack on. All you need is a mixing bowl, spoon, and baking sheet (bonus points for a cookie scoop!)

process shots showing the batter in bowl and the dough rolled into balls and dipped in powdered sugar.

Step 1: mix together the egg, sugar, olive oil, lemon zest and juice in a mixing bowl. No need to use a mixer for this. Just stir together until combined.

Step 2: stir in the baking soda until it is dissolved. Then add in the flour and mix until combined. You will have a thick batter.

Step 3: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, measure out equal amounts of the batter and roll into balls. Toss the dough balls in the powdered sugar and place on baking sheet spaced about two inches apart.

Step 4: bake in preheated oven for about 12 minutes, until the tops are cracked and puffed. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.

soft lemon cookies on a white countertop with lemons behind them.

These soft lemon cookies make a great after dinner treat! I like to serve mine with coffee or tea. They are also a great midday treat or snack to have on hand.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

These deliciously soft lemon cookies are so easy to make and guaranteed to turn out perfect every time if you follow these tips!

Always weigh your flour to get a more accurate amount. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cups rather than scooping the flour straight from the container.
Use a mild-flavored olive oil in the recipe. Canola oil can be substituted in a pinch.
Once you add the flour to the batter, the dough will be thick. Continue stirring just until the flour is fully incorporated.
Use a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies.

How much lemon zest and juice is in a lemon?

In recipes that call for the juice and zest of a lemon, you can use whatever lemon you have on hand. However, to be more exact, a medium-sized lemon will yield about 1 tablespoon of zest and about 4 tablespoons of juice.

How to store lemon cookies?

Lemon cookies are going to have a stronger more pronounced flavor so it’s always a good idea to store them separately from other cookies and food. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.

overhead photo of soft lemon cookies on a white countertop.

If you love lemon treats, be sure to check out these lemony favorites!

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