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Home » Dessert » Cookies » Limoncello Cookies

Limoncello Cookies

By Valerie · March 23, 2021 Leave a Comment

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A stack of Limoncello Cookies with text overlay.
A closeup of a Limoncello Cookie with a bite missing with text overlay.

These Limoncello Cookies are sweet and lemony with the best soft and tender texture. This easy cookie recipe is a great way to brighten your day!

A glazed cookie stacked on top of another with a bite missing.

I just finished baking another batch of these amazing little Limoncello Cookies and they are seriously like a burst of sunshine in my kitchen.

If you have a bottle of limoncello lurking in your pantry, you’ve got to try them. If not, I firmly believe that this recipe alone is reason to buy a bottle. Since Limoncello has such a long shelf life and is so downright delicious, I doubt you’ll have trouble finishing it off!

A stack of lemon cookies with a bite missing from the one on top.

Limoncello and fresh lemon combine to create the fabulous flavor in these cookies. After they cool, you’ll top them with a pretty limoncello glaze speckled with lemon zest.

In addition to the amazing lemon flavor, I am so impressed with the soft and tender texture of these cookies. It’s just an irresistible combination!

Ingredient Notes

All the ingredients for Limoncello Cookies with text overlay.
  • Lemons – Use Meyer lemons if you can get them. I pick up a bag of them on almost every shopping trip. The juice and zest are both slightly sweeter than regular lemons and perfect for baked goods. Use a microplane zester to easily zest your lemons.
  • Egg yolks – Using just the yolk of the eggs richens the dough and helps create the soft and tender texture of this cookie.
  • Limoncello – Both the cookie dough and icing have a little Limoncello. If you are concerned about the alcohol content, you can substitute an equal amount of fresh lemon juice. You won’t get quite the same intense lemon flavor but they will still be delicious.
What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that is made by steeping lemon peels in alcohol to extract the oils which are then mixed with simple syrup. The result is a smooth, intensely lemon flavored liqueur that is traditionally served as a digestive to be sipped chilled from small glasses after a meal. While I’ve never tried it, there are lots of recipes out there for homemade limoncello and apparently, it’s very easy to make.

A little limoncello adds sweet and smooth lemon flavor to baked goods and a wide variety of desserts without any bitterness. It’s also delicious mixed with sparkling water and shaken into cocktails.

Look on the label for the alcohol content which is typically in the 25% to 30% range. This is sufficient to allow you to safely store an open bottle at room temperature. For the best quality, it’s best consumed within two years, as the bright lemon flavor can begin to fade if stored too long. I highly recommend chilling it in the refrigerator, or better yet, pop it in the freezer for a couple of hours before serving.

How to Make Limoncello Cookies

Cookie dough is mixed in a mixing bowl.
  1. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, limoncello, vanilla and lemon zest.
  2. Beat the mixture until combined and set it aside.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture all at once and mix again with electric mixer until a soft dough forms.
A hand flattens balls of cookie dough on a baking sheet.
  1. Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough) to scoop the dough and roll into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart.
  2. Use the palm of your hand to slightly flatten the balls of dough.
  3. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are just beginning to look golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Make the Limoncello Glaze

Lemon glaze is spooned on to cookies.
  1. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, limoncello, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add additional lemon juice, as needed, to reach a nice glaze consistency (it should be somewhat thick but pour easily off the spoon).
  2. Use a small metal spoon to pour a small amount of glaze on top of a cookie and use the back of the spoon to spread and swirl it around. Repeat with remaining cookies and glaze.
  3. Allow to set for about 15 minutes before serving.
A tray of glazed Limoncello Cookies with a basket of lemons behind it shot from over the top.

Storage

After the glaze has set, store the Limoncello Cookies in an airtight container, layered between a sheet of wax paper. Consume within 1 week for the best quality.

For longer storage, follow the freezer instructions below.

Freezer Instructions

To freeze the cookie dough, place the balls of dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for an hour or until solid. Transfer the balls of dough to a freezer safe plastic storage bag or other airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before proceeding with baking and glazing the cookies as directed in the recipe.

It’s best to freeze baked cookies prior to adding the glaze for the best result. Be sure they’ve completely cooled, then layer them between wax paper in an airtight container before transferring to the freezer. Thaw the frozen cookies and then top with the glaze as directed in the recipe.

Lemon glazed cookies shot from over the top.

More Lemon Love

  • Lemon Yogurt Poppy Seed Bread
  • Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake
  • Mom’s Lemon Bars
  • Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake
  • Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Frosting
A glazed cookie stacked on top of another with a bite missing.

Limoncello Cookies

These Limoncello Cookies are sweet and lemony with the best soft and tender texture. This easy cookie recipe is a great way to brighten your day!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 147kcal
Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Equipment

  • microplane zester
  • medium cookie scoop
  • large rimmed baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Ingredients

Limoncello Cookies

  • ¾ cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons limoncello
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest from 1 medium lemon (use Meyer lemons, if possible)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Limoncello Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons limoncello
  • 1 heaping teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest from ½ a medium lemon (use Meyer lemons, if possible)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice as needed

Instructions

For the Cookies

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, limoncello, vanilla and lemon zest, and beat until combined.
  • In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture all at once and mix again with electric mixer until a soft dough forms. Use a spoon to mix the dough to bring the dough together more fully.
  • Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough) to scoop the dough and roll into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart. Use the palm of your hand to slightly flatten the balls of dough.
  • Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are just beginning to look golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

For the Glaze

  • In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, limoncello, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add additional lemon juice, as needed, to reach a nice glaze consistency (it should be somewhat thick but pour easily off the spoon). Use a small metal spoon to pour a small amount of glaze on top of a cookie and use the back of the spoon to spread and swirl it around. Repeat with remaining cookies and glaze. Allow to set for about 15 minutes before serving.
  • Store in an airtight container and consume within 1 week for the best quality.

Notes

If you are concerned about the alcohol content, you can substitute an equal amount of fresh lemon juice for the limoncello. You won’t get quite the same intense lemon flavor but they will still be delicious.
Storage
After the glaze has set, store the Limoncello Cookies in an airtight container, layered between a sheet of wax paper. Consume within 1 week for the best quality.
For longer storage, follow the freezer instructions below.
Freezer Instructions
To freeze the cookie dough, place the balls of dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for an hour or until solid. Transfer the balls of dough to a freezer safe plastic storage bag or other airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before proceeding with baking and glazing the cookies as directed in the recipe.
It’s best to freeze baked cookies prior to adding the glaze for the best result. Be sure they’ve completely cooled, then layer them between wax paper in an airtight container before transferring to the freezer. Thaw the frozen cookies and then top with the glaze as directed in the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
LOVE MY RECIPES? GET THE COOKBOOK!
The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and Other One-Pot Solutions

Adapted from Trisha Yearwood

Categories: Cookies, Dessert

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