Lemon Poppy Seed Cheesecake Cookies (Printable)

Bright, zesty lemon cookies speckled with poppy seeds, finished with creamy tangy cheesecake frosting for an irresistible treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cookies

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
06 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For the Cheesecake Frosting

12 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
16 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
04 - Beat in egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
06 - Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
08 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter in medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
09 - Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
10 - Spread or pipe frosting onto completely cooled cookies. Garnish with extra lemon zest or poppy seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of buttery lemon cookie and tangy cheesecake frosting creates the perfect balance of sweet and tart
  • These cookies look impressive but come together in under an hour, even if you are not a seasoned baker
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable here, cold cream cheese creates lumpy frosting and cold butter will not cream properly
  • These cookies must be completely cool before frosting or the cheese will melt into a sad puddle
03 -
  • Zest your lemons before juicing them, much easier to handle when the fruit is still firm
  • Sift your powdered sugar directly into the frosting bowl to prevent stubborn lumps

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