Oh, I can’t wait to share this Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe with you! These cookies are a perfect blend of soft, tender zucchini goodness mixed with the bright zing of lemon in a sweet glaze that’s just irresistible. Whenever I’m looking for a treat that feels both fresh and comforting, these cookies come to my rescue—they’re light, flavorful, and a little unexpected, which always gets compliments at the kitchen table.
What I absolutely love about this Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe is how it sneaks some veggies into a dessert, making it feel a bit more wholesome without sacrificing any sweetness or fun. You’ll find that these cookies are a fantastic way to celebrate summer zucchini or simply brighten up a gloomy afternoon with a tangy lemon twist. Trust me, once you try these, they may just become your new go-to cookie recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and Tender Texture: The grated zucchini keeps the cookies super soft and prevents them from drying out.
- Bright, Refreshing Flavor: The lemon glaze adds just the right amount of zing to balance the sweetness perfectly.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry and fridge, making it an easy last-minute bake.
- Versatile Snack: Great for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a light dessert that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe come together in such a harmonious way. Each element plays an important role—from the oats adding a nice chew, to the cinnamon warming up the flavor profile, to the fresh lemon juice waking everything up in the glaze.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted for that rich, buttery base that enhances every bite.
- Granulated Sugar: For just enough sweetness that doesn’t overpower the lemon or zucchini.
- Zucchini: Grated fresh to keep things moist and add a subtle veggie note.
- Egg: Binds everything together for the perfect cookie structure.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed to brighten the dough and the glaze.
- Vanilla Extract: To add depth and round out the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie’s texture.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Offers a nice hearty bite and a little toothiness.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just right.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm spice note that complements lemon beautifully.
- Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Powdered Sugar: Base for the smooth, tangy lemon glaze.
- Butter (for glaze): Melted to give the glaze a glossy finish and richness.
Variations
I love mixing things up a bit, and you might too! This Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe is a great starting point to experiment with your favorite flavors or cater to specific diets.
- Gluten-Free Option: I swapped regular flour for a gluten-free blend once and the cookies came out just as delicious—perfect for friends with sensitivities.
- Extra Citrus Punch: Adding lemon zest to the cookie dough gives an even brighter zing; I found it really takes the lemon flavor to the next level.
- Nutty Twist: Try tossing in chopped walnuts or pecans for some crunch—my family went crazy for that texture contrast.
- Sweetener Swap: Use coconut sugar or honey if you prefer a less refined sweetener; just tweak the amounts a bit to keep the texture right.
How to Make Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Wet Ingredients First
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing your sheet pan with a non-stick spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, grated zucchini, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until they’re well combined. This helps the zucchini spread evenly and infuses the dough with that fresh lemon flavor right from the start.
Step 2: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gently
Next, add your flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt all at once to the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold everything together carefully—overmixing can make the cookies tough, so just stir until the dough looks uniform. You want to retain a tender crumb with those bursts of cinnamon and the texture the oats provide.
Step 3: Scoop and Bake with Care
Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) helps keep your cookies evenly sized and baking consistently. Place them a few inches apart on your sheet pan so they have room to spread a little but won’t run into each other. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to turn a lovely golden brown. Keep an eye as ovens vary—overbaking dries these out, and you want soft, moist cookies.
Step 4: Whip Up the Lemon Glaze While They Bake
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter until smooth and slightly pourable. I like this glaze a little thick so it clings beautifully when drizzled, but if you prefer it thinner, just add a splash more lemon juice. The glaze is the star that sets these cookies apart, giving them a shiny zingy finish you’ll love.
Step 5: Cool and Glaze for the Best Finish
Allow your cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before you add the glaze. This prevents it from melting right off and keeps the topping beautifully glossy. Using a fork or teaspoon, drizzle the glaze over each cookie as generously as you like—you can be artistic here or just casual, both ways look and taste fantastic.
Pro Tips for Making Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe
- Grate Zucchini Large: I discovered this trick to prevent soggy cookies—the larger grate size keeps more texture and less water.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Scoop and level your flour to avoid dense cookies, which I learned after a few too-thick batches.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Patience pays off here—warm cookies melt the glaze and make a mess instead of a pretty drizzle.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled won’t give you that vibrant lemon flavor that really brightens up the entire cookie.
How to Serve Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—sometimes just a light sprinkle of extra lemon zest on top adds a fresh pop and looks beautiful. If I’m feeling fancy, a few tiny edible flowers or a light dusting of powdered sugar can really dress them up for guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies naturally pair well with a cup of hot tea or a refreshing lemonade, especially on a sunny afternoon. For something heartier, I like serving them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a yogurt parfait for a balanced little treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try stacking these zucchini cookies with a dollop of mascarpone and fresh berries in between, turning them into elegant mini sandwich treats. They’re perfect for brunch gatherings or a light dessert table when you want something a little unexpected. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment with a sprig of rosemary also makes them a charming gift!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Since these Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies are soft and moist, I always store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh for up to five days. This also helps the lemon glaze set nicely without getting sticky or melting too much.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cookies both glazed and unglazed. For the best texture, I freeze them without glaze, then add the lemon glaze after thawing. They last up to three months in the freezer—just pop them in a sealed bag or container.
Reheating
To revive the cookies’ tender texture, I like warming them gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid reheating in the oven unless you want them crispier. If frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge first, then glaze and serve.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of squash instead of zucchini?
Absolutely! Yellow summer squash can work similarly well in this Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe. Just treat it the same as zucchini—grate it on the larger side and squeeze out any excess moisture if it seems watery.
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Do I need to peel the zucchini before grating?
Nope! I always leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients; it also helps the cookies hold together better and adds a lovely speckled look.
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Why is the glaze important?
The lemon glaze is what really makes this recipe stand out with a bright, tangy finish that cuts through the sweetness and adds a beautiful glaze look. It seals in moisture and brings everything together.
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Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes! You can substitute the butter with a plant-based butter and use a flax egg instead of a regular egg. The flavor might be slightly different, but they still come out delicious and moist.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites because it combines comfort with a hint of freshness in a way that feels so homey yet a little special. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and enjoy that perfect balance of moist, tender cookies with a tangy, sweet glaze that always wins smiles. Baking with friends or family? These cookies make a lovely shared treat that’s both fun and surprisingly wholesome. Happy baking!
PrintLemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these soft and moist Lemon Glazed Zucchini Cookies, combining the subtle freshness of zucchini and lemon with a sweet cinnamon-spiced cookie base. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze, these cookies are perfect for a unique dessert or snack that offers a refreshing twist on classic zucchini desserts.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup zucchini, grated (on the large side of a box grater)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the lemon glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large sheet pan with non-stick spray to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, grated zucchini, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and kosher salt using a spatula, mixing until the dough is uniform and all dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Scoop cookies: Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), place portions of the dough on the prepared sheet pan, spacing them a few inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn slightly golden brown.
- Prepare the lemon glaze: While the cookies are baking, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Whisk well until smooth and glossy.
- Cool and glaze: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, use a fork to drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the tops of each cookie.
Notes
- Storage: Keep the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain their soft and moist texture.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before enjoying.
- Grating zucchini on the larger side retains more moisture and texture in the cookies.
- Make sure the cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, zest some lemon peel into the dough or glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 119
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 18mg