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    Home » Keto Cookies » Lemon Sugar Cookies – Keto Sugar-Free

    Published: Apr 9, 2020 · Modified: Aug 19, 2021 by Carolyn

    Lemon Sugar Cookies – Keto Sugar-Free

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    8.7K shares
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    Soft and pillowy keto sugar cookies with a delicious sugar-free lemon frosting. A sneak peek recipe out of The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking!

    Close up shot of keto lemon cookies with lemon cream cheese frosting

    Can you call it a sugar cookie if it doesn’t actually contain any sugar?

    More importantly, do we even care? If it tastes and feels like a delicious frosted sugar cookie, why are we complaining?

    No complaints here, and I wager that my fellow lemon lovers will have their mouths too full of these keto lemon cookies to complain much either!

    Watch my video in the recipe card to see just how easy these delicious cookies are to make.

    Frosted sugar cookies on a white plate with some unfrosted cookies in the background.

    Keto Baking Guidebook

    This is actually a recipe from my new (ish) cookbook, The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking. It’s a book of which I am immensely proud.

    I am such a diehard chocolate lover that I often forget just how delicious lemon dessert recipes can be. When I first made these keto lemon cookies, I was delighted by how good they were and I told myself I would remember how much I loved lemon desserts.

    But of course I forgot. When I made them for the video, once again I was blown away by how good they were. I won’t forget again!

    This cookbook is filled with all sorts of delightful recipes – lemon, chocolate, savory, sweet, if you can bake it, I created a recipe for it. It’s the most comprehensive cookbook on keto baking out there!

    Tips for Keto Frosted Lemon Cookies

    So how do you make sugar cookies without using any sugar? Great question!

    Using keto friendly sweeteners

    There is a dizzying array of keto sweeteners on the market these days, and not all of them work in the same way. This means that they can affect the consistency and flavor of your cookies.

    You will definitely want a sweetener that has “bulk” for both the cookies. Bulk refers to a sweetener that has significant volume, similar to sugar. So stevia and monk fruit extract won’t really work here.

    But any erythritol based sweeteners, as well as BochaSweet or allulose should be fine. I personally prefer Swerve in these, as both BochaSweet and allulose can make them a little softer and more cake-y.

    For the frosting, a powdered sweetener such as Swerve Confectioners works best. You could use a liquid sweetener but will need to reduce the added liquids to make sure it doesn’t end up too soft and goopy.

    Lemon extract or lemon juice?

    I used lemon extract in the cookies, along with some lemon zest. Using lemon juice would throw off the wet to dry ratio too much. I really like the lemon extract from Simply Organic.

    However, in the frosting, I used fresh lemon juice. You could use some lemon extract in its place, but would need to increase the cream to thin out the frosting to a spreadable consistency.

    Natural yellow food coloring

    You don’t have to color your frosting, but a light yellow makes the cookies look even more lemony and inviting. The brand I use is an all-natural vegetable powder from Color Kitchen.

    Use a very light hand when adding it. You can add a bit, beat that in, and add a bit more. I find that using too much makes for an overly bright, almost neon color.

    Keto lemon sugar cookies in a stack on a white plate with a blue vase of flowers in the background.

    How to store keto lemon cookies

    These cookies aren’t overly moist, so they last well on the counter for 3 or 4 days. Store in an airtight container. If you think they will be around longer than that, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.

    If you want to store the cookies even longer, they can easily be frozen. I recommend freezing the cookies separate from the frosting so they don’t get all smeared.

    You can either make the lemon frosting fresh when you thaw the cookies, or you can freeze that in a separate container. Let it come to room temperature and beat it a bit to soften and make it creamy again. Then spread on the cookies and enjoy!

    Ready to make these delicious frosted sugar cookies?

    Two lemon sugar cookies with a cup of tea in a blue pattered cup. A vase with tulips in the background.

    More keto lemon dessert ideas

    • Keto Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    • Keto Lemon Poppyseed Cake
    • Sugar-Free Lemon Curd
    • Keto Lemon Cream Pie
    • Lemon Blueberry Mug Cake
    • Lemon Magic Custard Cake
    Close up shot of keto lemon cookies with lemon cream cheese frosting

    Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies

    Soft and pillowy keto sugar cookies with a delicious sugar-free lemon frosting. A sneak peek recipe out of The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking!
    4.96 from 24 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: frosted sugar cookies, keto lemon cookies
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes
    Total Time: 48 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 262kcal

    Ingredients

    Cookies

    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ⅔ cup Swerve Sweetener
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1 large egg yolk room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
    • ¾ teaspoon lemon extract
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups almond flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Lemon Frosting

    • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 3 tablespoon butter softened
    • ¼ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 to 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
    • Natural food coloring

    Instructions

    Cookies

    • Preheat the oven to 325F and line two cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl, beat the butter and sweetener together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, lemon zest, and extracts and beat until well combined.
    • Add the almond flour, baking powder, and salt and beat until the dough comes together.
    • Roll the dough inot 1-inch balls an dplace on the prepared cookie sheets at least 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with the palm of your hand to about ½ inch thick.
    • Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until just golden around the edges, switching the pans halfway through baking. The cookies will be very soft still, but will continue to firm up as they cool.

    Lemon Frosting

    • Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Beat in the sweetener and vanilla extract until well combined.
    • Beat in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Add one tablespoon of cream and beat until smooth. If the frosting is still thick, beat in the additional cream.
    • Beat in a bit of yellow food coloring at a time until a lemon-y yellow is acheived.
    • Spread the frosting over the tops of the cooled cookies. Decorate with a bit of grated lemon zest.
    • To make lemon sandwich cookies, spread about 1 tablespoon of the frosting on the bottom of one cookie and top with another cookie.

    Video

    Nutrition Facts
    Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies
    Amount Per Serving (2 cookies (or 1 sandwich cookie))
    Calories 262 Calories from Fat 216
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24g37%
    Carbohydrates 5.1g2%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Protein 5.5g11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    8.7K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. RikiLynn says

      July 28, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you SO MUCH for this recipe! I can’t believe how incredibly delicious they are! I’m a huge fan of lemon and was craving a lemon cookie and have tried other recipes that always fell way short. These are so perfect! My hubby and I have adopted a Keto lifestyle and have found that although meals and savory foods almost always turn out fantastic, sweets are very difficult to get right. This is the 3rd recipe of yours that I’ve tried and I can’t thank you enough! I’ll be trying many more because I also “dream about food all day” and your recipes are top of the line! ????❤️

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        July 29, 2022 at 12:25 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    2. Terri says

      May 04, 2022 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      My great-grandmother passed away when I was 6, but to this day I sti remember her sugar cookies with that hint of lemon. Although her cookies didn’t have any frosting, the frosting is a wonderful modern twist. These cookies are very reminiscent of her cookies, and I will think of her fondly each time I make these, which will be often

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 04, 2022 at 6:26 pm

        I am so glad it brings back lovely memories!

        Reply
    3. Lee says

      May 04, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      I have made these several times. They are my go to treat. I have even changed the extract to almond flavor and they are very tasty. Thank you for this recipe!!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 04, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        Love that idea!

        Reply
    4. Hélène says

      April 19, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      I just finished making them and they taste so good! I actually made 48 little ones instead of 24; so they would last longer. Thank you for this delicious recipe.

      Reply
    5. Lisa says

      March 05, 2022 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for making this you’re life’s mission and work. It’s so meaningful to me as I try to stay healthy and avoid being a type 2 diabetic. I use your recipes for many occasions and the sweets for the times I feel like a treat or for festivities. I appreciate how hard you work on this and how many many recipes you have transformed into healthier versions. Keep up the very good and meaningful work.

      Reply
    6. Jhen says

      March 04, 2022 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and I must say it’s awesome! It’s my fave cookie recipe. Thank you Carolyn for sharing!

      Reply
    7. Yvette says

      September 26, 2021 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are awesome. The flavor is so good. This recipe is a keeper.

      Reply
    8. momofabj says

      August 16, 2021 at 11:13 am

      5 stars
      Hi Carolyn, I just wanted to compliment you on your recipes. I have tried several recipes of yours and they are always delicious. I bought easy keto dinners and bought your baking one for kindle. I have found every recipe to be delicious and satisfying. I have been on a low carb diet for a year trying to lose weight and have been really struggling with recipes until I found you. I really appreciate all your time and effort into making many delicious recipes. I plan on buying the larger cookbook Friday, payday, once again I can’t tell you what a gift your cookbooks have been to me. p.s. I appreciate all the condiment recipes too!

      Reply
    9. Carol Fisher says

      August 02, 2021 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are WONDERFUL!!! And loved by all who taste them!!

      Reply
    10. Julie says

      July 17, 2021 at 9:16 am

      Can I use Super Sweet or Pyure? If so, how much? Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Janet says

      July 17, 2021 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are DELICIOUS !! They DO NOT TASTE like Sugar Free Cookies. All of my Diabetic customers love them, and order over and over. Thank you so much for creating this wonderful recipe !!

      Reply
    12. Sofia says

      March 27, 2021 at 5:15 pm

      4 stars
      I’m not sure what I did but I made these today and while baking they spread to the size of my hand! They still tasted yummy but certainly not the neatest biscuits out there ????????

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 27, 2021 at 8:14 pm

        Sounds like they didn’t have quite enough flour. Did you use a different sweetener, by chance?

        Reply
    13. Jon says

      October 22, 2020 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      Loved these the first time I made them, and am now preparing to make them a 2nd time. Just as an aside, after letting them cool a bit, I frosted them, but left them on the cookie tray, then stuck them in the freezer overnight, before bagging them up for ‘permanent’ freezing. That got the frosting solid enough that I really didn’t make too much of a mess. Will be doing both this and the lemon cheesecake bars again in the next couple of weeks (though this time I plan to make the bars into an actual round cheesecake ….) Thanks again for the terrific recipes.

      Reply
    14. Yo Mac says

      September 17, 2020 at 11:30 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for his recipe. I am relatively new to Keto and staying away from the sweets is/was an issue. This cookie recipe is fantastic!

      Reply
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