38 lemon cookie recipes

German almond cookies with fresh lemon zest, ground unblanched almonds, and a buttery crumb that shatters at first bite. Overnight chilling builds flavor and makes rolling easy.

Zesty fig and date pastry bars with walnuts, orange juice, and lemon zest on a buttery shortbread crust with a crisscross lattice top. A bright, old-school cookie bar.

Crisp rolled molasses cookies with a full tablespoon each of cinnamon and ginger, dark molasses, lemon extract, and a splash of vinegar for tang. Thin and snappy.

Haselnussmakronen, traditional German hazelnut macaroons: a cocoa meringue folded with crushed hazelnuts and lemon zest, baked low into chewy, flourless cookies. A naturally gluten-free holiday treat.

Old-fashioned Pennsylvania Christmas drop cakes loaded with currants and lemon. Thin, buttery, crispy-edged holiday cookies made the way they were a hundred years ago. A vintage gem.

Oatmeal pumpkin cookies fold pumpkin puree, rolled oats, chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts into a cinnamon-spiced dough. Drizzle with lemon glaze or top with chocolate candies. Makes 96.