Sugar Cookies

These cookies are soft and chewy with a hint of lemon and a bit of crunch from the coarse sugar which they are rolled in. I also like the 'crackly effect' on top. They are a nice addition on a cookie plate at Christmas or you can bag them up for gift giving.

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Zest of a lemon
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Coarse sugar for rolling cookies

1.  Beat butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
2.  Add egg, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well.
3. Stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
4. Add gradually to the creamed mixture until well blended.
5. Form rounded teaspoons of dough into balls and roll in coarse or regular sugar.
6. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets.
7. Bake in a 350º oven for 8 to 10 minutes, just until lightly browned on the bottom, that is if you want them soft and chewy. I baked some a bit longer until they were lightly browned on top but then it resulted in a crispy cookie, still good but I wanted chewy.
8. Once out of the oven allow to cool slightly on the pan before removing them to a cooling rack.
9. Yield: 3 to 4 doz depending on size.