Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you adore bright, zesty flavors and crave a cookie that’s soft, tender, and beautifully iced, then you’ll fall head over heels for this Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are bursting with fresh lemon zest and topped with vibrant vegan lemon curd icing that’s as pretty as it is delicious. Perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a cheerful treat anytime, this recipe combines the best of vegan baking with a lemony twist that will brighten your day and satisfy your sweet tooth with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting these Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe just right starts with simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a special role, from the creamy vegan butter that keeps them tender to the fresh lemon zest that brings sunshine to every cookie.

• Lemon zest of 2 large lemons: Gives the cookies an irresistible citrus fragrance and a bright flavor punch.
• 150 g granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create that perfect soft texture.
• 150 g vegan butter (softened): Ensures a rich, tender bite, just like traditional butter.
• 4 teaspoons vegan Greek-style yogurt: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the lemon.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor depth and complements the citrus notes.
• 250 g all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together with the perfect crumb.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Keeps the cookies soft and light, preventing toughness.
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda: A slight lift for that tender chewiness.
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the flavors.
• 150 g powdered sugar: For smooth icing that’s easy to pipe in beautiful designs.
• 4 teaspoons aquafaba: Vegan egg substitute that whips up flawlessly for royal icing.
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Provides the necessary acidity to brighten the icing.
• 145 g vegan lemon curd: The star of the show on top of the cookies, adding tangy sweetness and gorgeous color.
• 60 g powdered sugar (for lemon curd icing): Sweetens the lemon curd glaze for flooding the cookies.
• 2 teaspoons aquafaba (for lemon curd icing): Helps achieve a luscious consistency for easy spreading and piping.

How to Make Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Flavor the Sugar

Start by infusing your sugar with the zest of fresh lemons. Rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar with your fingertips until the sugar feels softly damp and fragrant. This simple step releases all that bright citrus oil, giving your cookies an amazing lemony base right from the start.

Step 2: Cream the Sugar and Butter

Next, whisk the softened vegan butter into the lemon sugar until the mixture is light and airy. This aeration is crucial for soft cookies with a tender crumb. Then, add the vegan Greek-style yogurt and vanilla extract, mixing again until smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Sift the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and sea salt into the wet mixture. Gently fold everything together with a rubber spatula until it forms a cohesive dough ball. Wrap this dough in plastic wrap and flatten it into a disc—this makes chilling and rolling out later so much easier.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Pop the wrapped dough into the freezer for about 1.5 to 2 hours or alternatively refrigerate overnight. Chilling firms up the dough, which helps prevent spreading during baking and deepens the cookie flavor. While the dough chills, prepare the vegan lemon curd—it’s the perfect time to multitask!

Step 5: Prep for Baking

Preheat your oven to 160°C fan-forced or 180°C conventional. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 6: Roll Out the Cookies

Lightly flour your countertop and roll the chilled dough to about half a centimeter thick. Use a 2.5-inch cookie cutter to cut out charming round shapes, placing them onto your lined trays. Don’t forget to reroll the scraps—you’ll want to maximize every bit of this delicious dough!

Step 7: Bake

Slide your trays into the oven for 11 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring the parchment paper with cookies to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely—room temperature is best—before moving on to icing.

Step 8: Prepare Royal Icing for Outlines

Whisk powdered sugar, aquafaba, and lemon juice until velvety smooth. Taste and adjust if needed, then spoon the icing into a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle. This royal icing gives your cookies sharp, defined outlines that hold the flood icing beautifully.

Step 9: Prepare Lemon Curd Icing for Flooding

Mix 60 grams of vegan lemon curd with powdered sugar and aquafaba for a luscious flood icing. Transfer this to another piping bag. The remaining lemon curd will be used for intricate details, making your cookies look as stunning as they taste.

Step 10: Decorate the Cookies

Pipe a thin circle and segment lines on each cookie using the royal icing and let them dry for 10 minutes. Go over the lines a second time to thicken them and allow another 10-minute dry. Next, carefully fill in the lemon segments with your lemon curd icing, using a toothpick to smooth into every corner. After a short dry time, dot the remaining lemon curd into the segments and pipe around the outer circle to mimic the lemon peel. This layered decorating creates a joyful, citrusy masterpiece!

Step 11: Let the Icing Set

Place the finished cookies back on a rack to dry completely, ideally for several hours. Only once the icing is fully set should you store them in an airtight container to preserve freshness and that perfect soft bite.

How to Serve Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a little extra sparkle, sprinkle edible lemon zest or even a pinch of finely chopped crystalized ginger on top before the icing dries. Fresh mint leaves on the side also make for a gorgeous and aromatic presentation that complements the lemon notes perfectly.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a crisp cup of herbal tea like chamomile or green tea to balance the tartness. They’re also fantastic alongside a creamy vegan vanilla or coconut milk yoghurt for a refreshing snack or dessert option.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe into a dazzling centerpiece by stacking them in a pretty glass jar tied with yellow ribbon or arranging them on a layered cake stand. Add small lemon wedges or edible flowers around the platter for extra charm and wow-factor at parties or family gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and fully iced, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay lovely and soft for up to 4 days. Make sure to layer them between sheets of parchment paper to protect the icing.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies without the icing for up to 3 months. Simply place frozen dough discs in a sealed bag and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking and decorating. If you’ve already iced them, freeze the cookies in a single layer and thaw gently to avoid icing damage.

Reheating

These cookies are meant to be enjoyed soft and room temperature, so there’s no need to heat them. If you prefer a warm bite, gently warm them for 5-10 seconds in the microwave but be careful not to melt the icing.

FAQs

Can I substitute lemon zest with lemon extract?

Lemon zest provides fresh citrus oils that lemon extract can’t fully replicate. While lemon extract can add flavor, it won’t give the same brightness or texture, so it’s best to use zest if possible in this recipe.

What can I use instead of aquafaba?

If aquafaba isn’t on hand, you can try a commercial egg replacer or a flaxseed mixture, but aquafaba gives the best texture and consistency for this royal icing and cookie batter.

How do I make vegan lemon curd?

Vegan lemon curd is typically made with lemon juice, zest, sugar, and a plant-based thickener like corn starch or silken tofu. It’s easy to prepare ahead or purchase ready-made from specialty stores or online.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To keep these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a blend designed for gluten-free baking. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for best results.

How long does the icing take to fully dry?

Allow at least a few hours, preferably overnight, for the royal and lemon curd icing to dry fully. This prevents smudging and keeps the designs crisp and intact.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly joyful about baking and decorating these Iced Vegan Lemon Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe. The combination of tangy lemon, soft texture, and gorgeous icing makes them unforgettable. I encourage you to try this recipe—it’s a wonderful way to brighten your baking day and share something truly special with people you love.

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