• About
  • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Food Photography
  • Newsletter

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home Β» Baked Goods Β» Lemon Almond Flour Cookies

April 12, 2021 (last updated March 4, 2022)

Lemon Almond Flour Cookies

No ratings yet
Janet Harlow
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

These lemon almond flour cookies are a little crispy on the bottom and soft and chewy in the middle. They are grain-free, dairy-free and gluten-free and mix up in one bowl with no mixer.

overhead view of lemon almond flour cookies on round wire rack. WHite bowl with whole almonds in upper right, wood bowl woth almond flour in lower left and microplane with sliced lemon in upper left. Blue napkin underneath

More Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes

Be sure to check out my full list of gluten-free cookie recipes, including my vegan, gluten-free coconut macaroons, sugar-free gluten-free medjool date filled cookies, and my marbled tahini cookies with a vanilla and chocolate swirl.

One Bowl, No Mixer Cookies

I’m a fan of recipes with super easy clean-up. So this recipe uses just one bowl with no electricity needed. You’ll zest the lemon into a bowl. Add the vegan butter and sugar and cream with a silicone spatula (literally my favorite kitchen tool). Mix in the egg, vanilla and lemon juice and stir it all up. Add the almond flour, baking soda and salt and mix. Use a cookie scoop for round, uniform cookies. This 1 oz #40 cookie scoop works well and gives you 30 cookies.

Ingredients

Almond flour, also know as super fine, blanched almond meal is what works in this recipe. “Blanched” means that the brown skin from whole almonds is removed so that the result is a creamy white flour. I do not recommend using almond meal. This is a good gluten-free certified, peanut-free almond flour

Lemon zest (see my post How to Zest a Lemon if you’re not sure what that is) and fresh lemon juice make these cookies a sweet and tart treat. Zest the lemon using a microplane and the zest will disappear into the cookie dough and flavor it perfectly.

Vegan butter is my preference for these cookies and it makes them dairy-free. Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks (unsalted if you can find it) or Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter both work well. If you can’t find the unsalted version, simply omit the salt called for in the recipe. Melted coconut oil can be used in place of the vegan butter if you prefer.

The rest of the ingredients are just the basics – egg, baking soda, vanilla and sugar. That’s it!

close up of lemon almond flour cookies on wire rack. Blue napkin in front left, lemon in right front.

Soft and Chewy or Crunchy Cookies?

If you like soft and chewy cookies with a little crunch on the edge and bottom, bake these cookies for 20 minutes. If they are baked for less than that they get soggy and breakable later on. If you want to up the chewiness, chill the portioned cookie dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. Do you like a super crunchy cookie? No problem, bake these cookies until they are dark golden brown on top.

Lemon Icing

Make these cookies photo-worthy and even more lemony with a super easy lemon cookie icing. Add a little yellow food coloring – Color Kitchen Foods has natural plant-based powdered colors that are perfect for the icing because it won’t make it too runny.

overhead view of lemon almond flour cookies on round wire rack. WHite bowl with whole almonds in upper right, wood bowl woth almond flour in lower left and microplane with sliced lemon in upper left. Blue napkin underneath

Lemon Almond Flour Cookies

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 30 cookies
These delicate lemon almond flour cookies are a little crispy on the edge and soft in the middle. They are grain-free, dairy-free and gluten-free and the perfect sweet and tart treat.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 27 minutes mins

Recommended Products

  • Microplane

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lemon
  • 6 Tbsp vegan butter room temperature (Earth Balance Unsalted, recommended)
  • 1 c sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 c almond flour lightly packed in the measuring cup*
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt omit if your vegan butter is salted

Lemon Icing

  • 1 1/2 c powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp corn syrup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350Β°R and line baking sheet(s) with parchment
  • Using a microplane, zest the lemon into a large mixing bowl. Here is my quick video on How to Zest a Lemon. Cut the lemon in half and save for step 3 and the lemon Icing.
  • Add the vegan butter and sugar to the lemon zest and cream using a silicone spatula (best), wood spoon or fork.
  • Add the egg, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and vanilla and mix until smooth.
  • Add the almond flour, baking soda and salt and mix until the dough is uniform.
  • Drop or scoop 2 Tbsp of dough onto the baking sheet. This 1 oz #40 cookie scoop is the perfect size. These cookies do spread a little so give them about 2" in between.
  • If you want to up the chewiness of these cookies, chill the portioned cookie dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until the cookies are brown on the edges. This will make cookies that are crispy on the edge and softer in the middle. If you prefer crunchy cookies, bake until they are dark golden brown on top.
  • Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Lemon Icing (make immediately before using)

  • Sift the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl.
  • Add the lemon juice and corn syrup and stir until smooth. This should be a thick icing. If it is not spreading, add a tiny bit of water – less than 1/4 tsp. A little makes a huge difference.
  • Place in a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a small round tip and drizzle over cooled cookies.

Notes

*Almond flour is also known as super fine, blanched almond meal. UNblanched almond meal (has bits of the brown skin from whole almonds) and will not work as well in this recipe. Click the link for an excellent peanut-free almond flour
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Baked Goods, Dessert · Tagged: almond flour, cookies, grain free, lemon

Comments

  1. Katherine says

    June 4, 2023 at 7:33 am

    Hi Janet,

    I am going to make these today. Will doubling the recipe be ok? Also, I want to get the almond flour measurement right since these are for a teacher appreciation lunch. Should the cups be lightly packed?

    Any other tips I should know about?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Katherine says

      June 4, 2023 at 7:35 am

      I see now that you wrote β€œlightly packed” in the recipe. That just means pour in the flour but don’t pack it, correct?

      Reply
      • Janet Harlow says

        June 4, 2023 at 5:36 pm

        Hi Katherine, Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Hope it’s not too late.
        Scoop the flour into the measuring cup using a spoon or scoop. Once it’s full, gently pack down the flour, top it off with more and level it.

        Reply
    • Janet Harlow says

      June 4, 2023 at 5:37 pm

      yes, doubling the recipe should be no problem.

      Reply
      • Katherine says

        June 4, 2023 at 6:11 pm

        Thanks Janet! I decided to make these tomorrow so your reply is not too late. Thank you!

        Reply
  2. Katherine says

    June 5, 2023 at 9:01 am

    Janet, thank you! Can I make the dough in advance?

    Reply

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and review when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means a great deal to me.

Thank you!
Janet

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

This gluten-free blueberry crisp is made with fres This gluten-free blueberry crisp is made with fresh blueberries and topped with a cinnamon brown sugar topping with no oats. Oats can be tricky when you're gluten-free, so I prefer my crisp without them. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🫐🫐🫐
These buttery cookies are gluten-free and melt in These buttery cookies are gluten-free and melt in your mouth. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🧈πŸͺ🧈
#glutenfreecookies #glutenfreebuttercookies #danishbuttercookies #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #buttercookieshomemade #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreehomemade #cookiesfromscratch
This gluten-free strawberry sheet cake is filled w This gluten-free strawberry sheet cake is filled with fresh strawberries in a strawberry swirl. It's the perfect dessert for a crowd on a spring or summer day. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ“πŸŽ‚πŸ“
Simply take some fresh strawberries and whirl them in the food processor until they're finely chopped. Mix some into the batter and spread the rest between layers of batter to create a pretty swirl when you cut into the cake. 
πŸŽ‚πŸ“πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreecake #strawberrycake #freshstrawberries #sheetcake #glutenfreedessert #berrydessert #strawberrydessert #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelosangeles #strawberrydesserts #bbqdessert #memorialdaydessert
This Gluten-Free Lemon Bundt Cake is a dreamy good This Gluten-Free Lemon Bundt Cake is a dreamy good, sunny treat. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ‹πŸŽ‚πŸ‹
#glutenfreebundtcake #glutenfreelemoncake #lemonbundtcake #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreecake #lemondessert #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreedessert
This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake is fluffy, moist and This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake is fluffy, moist and packed with cinnamon spice goodness. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ₯•πŸŽ‚πŸ₯•
I prefer my carrot cake with no crushed pineapple or nuts or raisins. I use a little applesauce to give it some fruity flavor but that's it. So if you're on team nut-free, raisin-free, this is the cake for you.
πŸ₯•πŸŽ‚πŸ₯•
#glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreecakes #glutenfreeeaster #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreedesserts #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreedessertrecipes #easterdesserts
Whether it's summer peach season or not you can ma Whether it's summer peach season or not you can make this gluten-free peach cobbler. The recipe includes instructions for fresh, frozen or canned peaches. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
#glutenfreepeachcobbler #glutenfreecobbler #peachdessert #peachcobbler #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreechef #glutenfreelosangeles #summerdesserts #glutenfreedesserts
This gluten-free chocolate mug cake is ready in ju This gluten-free chocolate mug cake is ready in just 5 minutes. When you want a cake just for yourself, it's the perfect recipe. Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸŽ‚πŸ«πŸŽ‚πŸ«
#glutenfreecakes #chocolatemugcake #glutenfreemugcake #singleservedessert #glutenfreechocolatecake #glutenfreeblog #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #dessertforone #glutenfreedesserts #fastdessert
Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free b Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free birthday celebration? I've got you covered with a blog post with 16 ideas for fun,  festive & yummy cakes and cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
All are gluten free and many can be made dairy-free as well. Most use Measure for Measure flour from @kingarthurbaking.
1. GF Carrot Cake
2. GF Funfetti Cupcakes
3. GF Red Velvet Cake
4. GF Lemon Cake
5. Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
6. GF Vanilla Cake
7. GF Mini Cupcakes in Choc & Vanilla
8. GF Vanilla Cupcakes
9. GF Coconut Layer Cake
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
Not pictured: GF Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake,
GF Chocolate Cupcakes, GF Apple Pie Cupcakes, GF Butternut Squash Cake, Gf Chocolate Mug Cake, GF Vanilla Snack Cake, and GF Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreebirthdaycake #glutenfreebirthday #losangeleschef #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreecake #glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreevanillacake #glutenfreeredvelvet #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelemoncake

Copyright © 2023 Chef Janet · Support by Foodie Digital · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy · Web Stories