Lemon Sugar Cookies decorated like lemon slices are a summery treat full of bright citrus flavor. Lemon flavored cut-out cookies are topped with sweet-tart icing. The easy to create design turns cookies into munchable slices of lemon perfect for summer parties and care packages!
Why you'll love this recipe
- No specialty shaped cookie cutters are needed. The cookies are cut out in a simple circle.
- No fancy decorating equipment is needed. Though I used a #5 circle opening piping tip (because I have decorating tips and they make decorating easier), a small cut corner of a plastic ziplock bag can be used instead.
- These cookies are lemon flavored as well as lemon decorated.
- Glaze icing is easy to make and easy to use. This icing dries firm for stacking or packaging but keeps a delicious soft bite.
If you’re sending a summer-themed care package or baking for a summer event, these Lemon Sugar Cookies decorated like lemon slices are a perfect fit. Inspired by a “Squeeze the Day” care package theme, these cookies deliver citrus flavor with an easy to create lemon slice design.
More care package themes using plays on words, include "Seas the Day" care package and "Orange You Glad" care package.
Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. The full measurements and detailed instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Lemon Extract: My favorite lemon flavoring is Nielsen Massey Lemon Paste. Another favorite is the citrus-vanilla flavor of Fiori di Sicilia from King Arthur Baking Company.
- Glaze Icing: These cookies are decorated with one batch of the Glaze Icing Recipe with added lemon extract and yellow food coloring as detailed in the recipe card below.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Combine the ingredients to form the cookie dough.
- To chill the dough, divide into two discs and wrap in plastic wrap.
- Bring the dough to room temperature. Roll out to ¼" thickness. Cut out circles
- Transfer the cut out cookies to a lined baking sheet. Bake cookies about 10 minutes or until the bottom edges begin to turn golden.
- Outline each cookie with yellow icing.
- Use the white icing to outline each cookie inside the yellow border.
- Use the white icing to draw 4 lines to create 8 segments on each cookie.
- Allow the icing to set for at least 30 minutes before filling in the segments with yellow icing.
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Storage
- Let the iced cookies dry for several hours or overnight before storing or wrapping.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container, with wax paper between layers, for up to 2 weeks.
- For the longest freshness, I recommend wrapping the cookies individually in cellophane bags. Use self sealing bags or a heat sealer for airtight packaging.
Lemon slice cookie decorating tips and variations
- Creating a cookie that looks like a slice of citrus is very simple. Slices of lemons, limes, and oranges can all be made the same way just by changing the icing color.
- This easy design can be made without the use of disposable pastry bags and piping tips, but those tools make a simple task even simpler. I use disposable piping bags fitted with small circle tips (#5). The icing could be put in ziplock bags with a tiny corner snipped for piping.
More lemon dessert recipes
Lemon Biscotti are the new recipe included in this “Squeeze the Day” care package. Lemon Biscotti are crunchy cookies delicious on their own but sturdy enough for dunking. Biscotti are the ultimate care package cookie. They travel well and stay fresh for several weeks.
White Chocolate Lemon Bars are deliciously chewy bars that are ideal for picnics and summer care packages.
Italian Lemon Cookies are soft pillowy cookies. Make them with a traditional glaze or heat proof them with a sugar coating instead!
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies taste just like a poppy seed muffin in the form of a crunchy cookie.
Lemon Peppermint Cooler Cookies are a sweet way to keep cool. So good with a glass of iced tea!
Strawberry Lemonade Bars have chewy layers of pink strawberry and yellow lemon blondie. A summertime classic.
Looking for a tea time treat? These Lemon Biscuits are just what you need! A British favorite.
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Lemon Sugar Cookies Shaped Like Lemon Slices
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 4 or 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 batch glaze icing using lemon extract instead of vanilla
- 3 drops yellow food coloring
Instructions
Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar just until combined.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla. Then mix in baking powder and salt.
- Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time. If making the cookies right away, use 4 ½ cups of flour. If refrigerating dough for use in several hours or several days, use only 4 cups of flour.
- Roll out on a lightly floured surface to ¼” thick.
- Cut out circles and place on to prepared baking sheet about 1” apart. Bake for 6-7 minutes.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating
- Make one full batch of Glaze Icing, substituting ½-1 teaspoon of lemon extract for the vanilla.
- Spoon half of the icing into a separate bowl and add 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring.
- Place the white icing and the yellow icing into piping bags with #5 circle piping tips.
- Outline each cookie with yellow then white icing.
- Use the white icing to draw lines( an "x" then a cross) from interior edge to edge creating 8 segments on each cookie. Allow the icing to set for at least 30 minutes before filling in the segments with yellow icing.
- Let the iced cookies dry for several hours or overnight before storing or wrapping.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container, with wax paper between layers, for up to 2 weeks. For longest freshness, package each cookie in a cellophane bag and heat seal.
Notes
- If you don't have piping bags and tips, place the icing into two quart sized ziplock bags (one for each color) and cut off a tiny bottom corner from each bag for piping.
- Enclose each cookie in a self-sealing cellophane cookie bag or wrap individually in plastic wrap.
- Package wrapped cookies snuggly in a storage container or freezer weight ziplock bag.
Nutrition
First Published: May 12, 2018. Last Updated: July 6, 2025. Updated for additional information, improved photos and better reader experience.
Shannon @ Love At First Bento
These are so much fun Wendy, and so perfect for summer! Who wouldn't love to receive these in a care package? And, speaking of your care packages, I just LOVE how you decorate them, that is such a good idea and truly adds that extra special touch. I wish I would've had your site back in the day when I was in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend, as I was always sending him cookies and things - your ideas would've been perfect!
Carlee
What beautiful cookies! I just love all things lemon this time of year, so this theme is perfect!
saltandserenity
I just love your themed boxes. I like to imagine the smiles and joy you are bringing to the recipients. Love these cookies. Just looking at them makes my mouth pucker in anticipation.