Sparkly Lemon Cookies

When’s the best time to make these chewy, soft lemon cookies? Their glittering sheen, courtesy of a coarse sugar coating, would make them a hit at Christmas—or any holiday party, for that matter. But their bright lemon flavor is ideal for absolutely any occasion. Summer barbecue? Yes. School bake sale? Absolutely. Tuesday night alone at home. Of course.

They get their flavor from a generous dose of lemon zest, but if you’re craving even more lemony tang, skip the sanding sugar and instead mix fresh lemon juice with powdered sugar for an easy lemon glaze to frost the cookies after they’ve cooled.

You can use a handheld or stand mixer to save time, but if you have neither (or don’t feel like getting them dirty), this easy recipe comes together by hand in minutes. Just make sure the butter is softened adequately before starting, and plan on chilling the dough so the citrus has time to perfume the whole batch.

Looking for lemon crinkle cookies? Try this version, accented with dried lavender.