Lemon Honey Cookies

Name: Lemon Honey Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 3/4 cup (6 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup honey powder; Finely grated zest from 2 lemons; 1 large egg, room temperature; Juice from 1 lemon (about 2 Tablespoons); 3 Tablespoons whole milk; 1 1/2 Tablespoons meringue powder; 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar; 1/4 cup warm water; Lemon oil, vanilla extract, or almond extract (optional); Pastel pink and electric pink gel-paste food coloring (as needed)

By:

Thomas

Published:

December 31, 2025

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Why This Recipe Works

The balance between sweet and tart flavors is what makes Lemon Honey Cookies truly special. The sweetness from honey powder pairs beautifully with tangy lemon, creating a flavor harmony that’s hard to resist. Using fresh ingredients, especially lemons, is crucial. Fresh lemons bring brightness and zest that you wouldn’t get from bottled juice. Plus, the science behind using honey powder takes these cookies to another level. It enhances the flavor while ensuring they remain tender and moist.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Honey Cookies

You’ll love these cookies because they offer a unique flavor profile that stands out from standard cookies. The vibrant lemon taste combined with the natural sweetness of honey creates a treat that feels both refreshing and comforting. They’re perfect for all occasions—whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a holiday, or just treating yourself. Best of all, the steps for making Lemon Honey Cookies are straightforward, catering to bakers of all skill levels. Even if you’re new to baking, you’ll feel confident whipping these up!

Ingredients for Lemon Honey Cookies

To make these delightful Lemon Honey Cookies, here’s what you’ll need:

3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup (6 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey powder
Finely grated zest from 2 lemons
1 large egg, room temperature
Juice from 1 lemon (about 2 Tablespoons)
3 Tablespoons whole milk
1 1/2 Tablespoons meringue powder
2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup warm water
Lemon oil, vanilla extract, or almond extract (optional)
Pastel pink and electric pink gel-paste food coloring (as needed)

Preparing the Dough for Lemon Honey Cookies

Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. Combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Mix everything well and then set it aside. This step lays the foundation for your cookies, creating a perfect balance in texture.

Cream Butter and Sugars

Next, you’ll want to use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for this step. Beat together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, honey powder, and lemon zest until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This process is essential as it incorporates air into the butter, helping to create a tender cookie.

Incorporate the Egg and Wet Ingredients

Add the large egg to the creamed mixture and blend until it’s fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and whole milk—this will add richness and flavor. Set this wet mixture aside for now.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now it’s time to bring everything together! Gradually add the flour mixture to your butter mixture, alternating with the milk mixture. Start and finish with the flour, mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough.

Chill the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight. This chilling period helps the flavors meld and ensures your cookies keep their shape when baking.

Baking the Lemon Honey Cookies

Preheat the Oven

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking. This small step will make clean-up easier too!

Roll Out the Dough

Flour your surface lightly, then roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use floured cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes. There’s no need to rush; take your time to create fun designs!

Bake the Cookies

Once cut out, transfer the cookies to your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Remember, the centers may look soft but will firm up as they cool. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks.

Making Royal Icing

Combine Ingredients

For the royal icing, start by mixing the meringue powder, confectioners’ sugar, and warm water in the bowl of your stand mixer. Adding an extract at this stage can enhance the flavor, so feel free to toss in a bit of vanilla or almond extract if you like.

Whip to Desired Consistency

Mix on medium speed until the icing becomes fluffy and thickened. If it seems too stiff, gradually add more warm water one teaspoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

Color the Icing

Divide the icing in half. Keep one half white, and use gel-paste food coloring to create one pink and one hot pink from the other half. This step is where you can let your creativity shine!

Decorate the Cookies

Now comes the fun part—decorating! Transfer the colored icing into piping bags and use them to decorate the cooled cookies however you like. Let your imagination run wild with designs!

Serving Suggestions

These Lemon Honey Cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, making them an ideal snack. They also shine at gatherings and are delightful as gifts during the holiday season. Sharing them will surely bring smiles to friends and family!

Tips for Success

Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
Don’t skip the chilling step; it’s crucial for maintaining shape during baking.

Variations

Feel free to experiment! You can add nuts or chocolate chips for extra texture. Trying out different extracts can also lead to unique flavors. For a festive touch, sprinkle edible glitter over your icing before it dries.

Storage Tips

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they should stay fresh for up to a week. If you’d like to keep them longer, freeze the uniced cookies for up to three months. Just remember to thaw them gently before decorating.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular sugar instead of honey powder?
While you can use regular sugar, honey powder brings a unique flavor that enhances these cookies.

2. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges will turn a slight golden brown, while the centers will remain soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.

3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend for the best results.

4. How long do the iced cookies last?
Iced cookies can last about 5-7 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

5. Can I freeze the iced cookies?
Yes, but it’s better to freeze the undecorated cookies. This keeps the icing fresh when you thaw them.

With these Lemon Honey Cookies, you’re all set to brighten up your day! Their wonderful blend of sweetness and zest will surely put a smile on your face. Enjoy every part of the baking process and the delightful results!

Lemon Honey Cookies

Why This Recipe Works

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Honey Cookies

Ingredients for Lemon Honey Cookies