Skip to main content

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

These big cookies have two coats of sanding sugar, which create a delicate crust that sparkles. The crunchy coating gives way to a soft cookie with bright, lemony flavor in each bite.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.

    Step 2

    Put sugars and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Mix in eggs one at a time, and then the lemon juice. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.

    Step 3

    Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto parchment paper–lined baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Flatten cookies slightly; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Lightly brush with a wet pastry brush; sprinkle with more sanding sugar.

    Step 4

    Bake cookies until golden, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

Martha Stewart's Cookies
Read More
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
You’ll never need to look up a holiday turkey recipe again.
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.
Every salad should have pita chips.