Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

Before I being raving about these cookies, I have to tell you about the comment my husband made the other day. I was walking outside to photograph something, well food, for a post. My husband just laughed and said I should change the title of my blog to Blue Plate Special because everything I photograph is on a blue plate. He's so clever; I loved it but still think I'll be sticking to this one. You're still going to see everything photographed on a blue plate because that's pretty much all we have that looks decent. Maybe one of these days I'll branch out.

Anyway, on to these cookies. Have I told you how much I love lemon anything? Lemon desserts are probably my number 1 (aside from chocolate, that is). I don't make a whole lot of cookies but these were different enough and tempting enough that I wanted to give them a try. They were the perfect balance of sweet and tart for me. They were nice and chewy but a little crisp on top from being rolled in sugar. I served them with some homemade lemon ice cream and made ice cream sandwich cookies. They were divine. Go ahead, treat yourself.

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of one large lemon
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 large or 2 small lemons)
1/3 cup sugar for rolling cookies

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, using a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and very fluffy (3-5 minutes). Beat in egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice and lemon zest. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.

Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll the top side in sugar. Place on cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Makes approximately 24-30 cookies.

SOURCE:Adapted from My Baking Addiction via Meet Me In The Kitchen