Cottage Cheese Lemon Cookies (Printable Version)

Soft, moist cookies with cottage cheese and zesty lemon glaze delivering a refreshing tang.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese, well-drained
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar

→ Lemon Glaze

13 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Add cottage cheese to butter mixture and beat until smooth. Mix in egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
07 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set and centers remain slightly soft. Do not overbake.
08 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth and pourable consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and allow to set before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Unexpectedly moist: Cottage cheese adds a creamy richness that keeps these cookies soft for days.
  • Bright and zesty: Fresh lemon zest and juice in both the dough and the glaze deliver a refreshingly vibrant citrus flavor.
  • Quick and easy: With only 20 minutes of prep and 12 minutes in the oven, these come together effortlessly.
  • Vegetarian-friendly: A crowd-pleasing treat suitable for vegetarian guests.
  • Perfect yield: One batch makes 24 cookies—plenty to share or store for later.
02 -
  • Drain the cottage cheese: Use full-fat cottage cheese and drain any excess liquid before adding it to the batter to ensure the right dough consistency.
  • Don't overmix: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until just incorporated to keep the cookies tender.
  • Watch the oven: Pull the cookies at 11–13 minutes when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone—they firm up as they cool.
  • Glaze when fully cooled: Drizzling glaze over warm cookies will cause it to slide off and not set properly.
  • Extra tang: For a more pronounced lemon flavor, add additional lemon zest to both the dough and the glaze.
  • Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Fun twist: Stir a pinch of poppy seeds into the dough for added texture and visual interest.
  • Allergen reminder: Check labels on cottage cheese and vanilla extract for hidden allergens, as these cookies contain wheat, dairy, and eggs.
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