Cottage Cheese Lemon Cookies (Printable Version)

Soft, tangy cookies with creamy cottage cheese and fresh lemon, finished with a zesty glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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, optional

# Directions:

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. Do not overmix.
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, or until edges are set and centers are slightly soft. Do not overbake.
08 - Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled cookies and allow glaze to set before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Unique ingredient: cottage cheese adds incredible moisture and subtle tang
  • Quick and easy: ready in just 32 minutes from start to finish
  • Bright citrus flavor: fresh lemon zest and juice create a refreshing taste
  • Perfect texture: soft centers with slightly crisp edges
  • Beautiful presentation: the glossy lemon glaze makes these cookies bakery-worthy
02 -
  • Use full-fat cottage cheese for the best texture and flavor; low-fat versions can make cookies dry
  • Drain excess liquid from cottage cheese by pressing gently with paper towels
  • For extra tang, add a little more lemon zest to the dough or glaze
  • Don't overbake—cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed from oven
  • Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
  • For thicker glaze, use less lemon juice; for thinner glaze, add juice gradually until desired consistency
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