Creating these delightful Lemon Sugar Cookies is simple when you follow these clear steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add Egg and Flavorings: Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Don’t overmix!
6. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
7. Scoop Cookies: After chilling, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Optional Dusting: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

By following these steps, you’ll create an incredible batch of Lemon Sugar Cookies that are sure to impress!