Are you ready for this simple recipe for Italian Lemon Cookies? These twist cookies have a cake-like texture, glazed with the perfect burst of lemon flavor.
You are probably wondering -and rightly so- why another lemon cookie recipe.
Well, for starters, I love twist cookies. In fact, another one of my favorites is this Koulourakia recipe.
The simple fact is that lemon cookies are one of my favorites (besides biscotti, of course 😉 )
My guess is that I am probably not alone.
Have you ever noticed how lemon cookies are always one of the first cookies to disappear from any cookie platter? Do you know anyone that can resist a lemon cookie?
Today, I am sharing another lemon cookie recipe because I think you are going to find they taste exceptional.
As an added bonus, you will love how easy they are to make… are you ready to begin?
How to make Italian Lemon Cookies:
It all starts with sifting flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. We will set it aside for a couple of minutes.
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs until slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes).
Slowly add the sugar and continue to whisk until well combined. Add the oil, vanilla extract, juice and zest of lemon. Combine well.
At this point we are going to switch to the paddle attachment and slowly add the flour mixture until well combined.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350℉; position rack to the middle; line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and get ready to roll!
Scoop dough with a medium-sized cookie scoop and drop on a lightly floured surface.
Roll into a 6-inch strand about ½ inch in diameter.
Line up the two ends and twist once or twice (refer to photo above).
Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the dough has been shaped.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned.
Once the cookies have cooled down, they can be glazed and ready to be enjoyed. This simple lemon cookie can also be frozen without the glaze. This is a great cookie to have on hand when friends or family 😉 come over unexpectedly… just thaw, glaze and serve.
Recipe origins
My mom (along with my Zia Maria) made the best homemade Italian cookies.
I can still remember the long animated conversations my mom would have with her older sister. If my memory serves me right, cookie recipes would often be discussed. As a result, the freezer was always well stocked with cookies and biscotti. My mom’s philosophy was simple… be ready because you never know when someone would drop in for coffee. Thinking back to those years, it’s no wonder I developed a biscotti obsession 😉
Another Simple Italian Lemon Cookie Recipe is the result of a recipe shared among two sisters. Today, my goal was to document this recipe. If you love lemon cookies, this recipe for Italian Lemon Knot Cookies is another family favorite.
Can a girl have enough lemon cookie recipes?
Apparently not!
Enjoy!!!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Lemon Cookie recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Italian Lemon Cookies
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Ingredients
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 6 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- zest of 2 lemons
lemon glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs until slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add sugar. Continue to whisk until well combined.
- Add the oil, vanilla extract, juice and zest of lemon. Combine well.
- Switch to paddle attachment.
- Slowly add the flour mixture until well combined.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow to rest for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Position rack to middle.
- Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough with medium sized cookie scoop and drop on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll into a 6 inch strand about ½ inch in diameter.
- Line up the two ends and twist once or twice (refer to visual in the text).
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
- Repeat until all the dough has been shaped.
- Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.
- Whisk together icing sugar and lemon juice.
- Glaze cookies and allow to dry before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Teresa
Hello Maria,
Since I found your recipe I make these cookies probably every 2 weeks.
simple yet so delicious, my family and a friend including her family in particular love them so much.
My mom was not a baker so I am aways looking for cookie recipes of Italian origin.
One more thing I mentioned simple, but once they are glazed they are a most delectable treat. Ti voglio ringraziare tanto. Saluti da Vancouver:)
Maria
Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! I’m thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoy the cookies so much. It’s always great to connect with fellow cookie lovers, especially when it comes to Italian recipes. I appreciate your kind words about the glaze too—it really does add that special touch! Ti voglio ringraziare tanto for sharing your experience. Saluti a te e alla tua famiglia da Montreal♥
Lorraine Pellegrino
Made them for the first time for my daughter’s baby shower So happy they turned out amazing Great flavor!
Thank You for posting
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing Lorraine! I’m thrilled to hear the recipe was a success for your daughter’s baby shower—congratulations to you and your family! It means a lot to know it added to such a special celebration.
Maria
Just made these cookies today. I did have to add a bit more flour as they were too sticky at first and I baked them 5 minutes less. They turned out great. I will freeze them for Christmas and glaze them then. Thanks for the recipe.
Robin Black
I had these cookies in Burano, Italy in 2010, I loved them and realized I had a recipe extremely similar to this one for Venetian Butter Cookies. When we got home from Italy I made some right away and realized they were the same & so yummy I have been making ever since. One of my most favorite lemon cookie of all time.
Lorraine Pellegrino
Hi there I have to share First time making these and they turned out amazing. Everybody loved them I have to say it was quit the dordeil to get them done The dough had rest 30 minutes I turned and turned on the oven to preheat before making the cookies There was an explosion and the fuse was off and got it back on and only the top of the stove works I ended up baking them 4 or 5 at a time in the airfryer My neighbor came over and took two trays and baked them in her oven Then her whole family came over for coffee and they all loved them But the timing couldn’t have been worse 9.30 to 2.20 to get them done But the recipe is great and will be making them for my daughter’s Baby shower in a month Thank you for the recipe
Maria
Wow, what an incredible story! Thanks so much for taking the time to share Lorraine! It sounds like you went through quite the adventure to get these lemon cookies made, but I’m so glad they turned out amazing in the end! I love that your neighbor came over to help and that it turned into a fun gathering with everyone enjoying the cookies together. Thank you so much for sticking with it despite the challenges—it means a lot to hear that the recipe was worth the effort! I’m sure they’ll be a hit at your daughter’s baby shower, too. Congratulations for this happy occasion!
MrsD
I loved these. When I made the 6 in. ropes I sealed the ends and twisted them twice. Easy peasy : )
Maria
Thanks for taking the time to comment MrsD!
Andrea
Great recipe. I didn’t have lemon so used orange juice for the batter and glaze. I baked one set with the glaze and glazed once cooled. Then the next batch I put the glaze on before I baked. I like it better as they come out shiny and hold the twist better.
Maria
Thanks for sharing Andrea! I must try this!
Connie
Just made the cookies. While the dough is a bit delicate, the cookies came out fabulous. Best recipe I’ve found for these cookies. Thank you!
Maria
My pleasure Connie! Thanks for reaching out!
Gerarda Canning
OH MY goodness. I have celiac sooo, I substituted gf flour and otherwise followed thus recipe exactly, Hands down the best lemon twist cookies ever. They melt in your mouth. I will even say they are better than the regular gluten flour ones. Will keep doing this recipe.
Thank you
Gerarda from Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Maria
Appreciate your comment Gerarda, thank you!
Franca Flabiano
Hello Maria,
I made these cookies today. Oh my goodness! They are so easy to make and absolutely delicious. I had to package them up quickly and put them in the freezer otherwise there would be none left for Christmas. Thank you for yet another fabulous recipe.
Maria
My pleasure Franca! Thanks for sharing ♥