Lemon Sugar Cookies

This month I’m participating in St. Jude’s Baking Challenge.

I’m sure you all know about www.stjude.org and the fantastic work they do but if you don’t know them please look them up! They are simply and miraculously life savers to so many families. And all without payment required for the families. So when the Baking Challenge came across my feed (and after I ignored it because I’m not a professional baker) I signed up. Because St. Jude deserves my time, efforts and any attention I can bring to them.

The first week of the challenge was cookies and Marshall requested Lemon Sugar Cookies. If y’all have followed us you know Marshall is quite the accomplished sugar cookie baker, thanks to Margie Kendall (I didn’t steal her recipe. Check out her blog if you want her award-winning sugar cookies - www.margiefoodie.com). He won several ribbons at the Greene County Fair last year for his cookies! When I asked him what cookies we should make he said these lemon cookies. So even though they didn’t win any ribbons (so far), hopefully they won a ribbon in Marshall's heart. (I know. So hokey). Here’s the recipe:

The St. Jude Lemon Sugar Cookie

makes a ton of cookies! Just depends on the size of your cookies

1 cup softened to room temperature butter

1.5 cups sugar

zest of 1 lemon (should be about 3 tablespoons)

juice of 1/2 lemon (should be about 2-3 tablespoons; if you need more juice add it from the other half)

1 egg

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch salt

granulated sugar for rolling

In a stand mixer beat the butter, sugar and zest for 1-2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Then add the lemon juice and egg. Next add the flour, baking soda and salt to combine. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.

Remove from the fridge and scoop out and roll into a ball. Try not to handle the dough too much or you’ll melt the butter. Roll each cookie in the sugar and then bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until golden.

Cool for 5 minutes and then remove from baking sheet.

I will say these cookies were a HIT and I saved half the dough, wrapped it well and have it frozen for a quick bake to take to the next friend or neighbor who has been sick or in the hospital or had a baby. I love to have a few things on hand to whip up quickly when needed.

I hope you try these cookies and let me know what you think! Please tag us on social media if and when you make them! I’d love to see them.

Aliceson