Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe is a simple, delicious dessert recipe that is perfect for any occasion. These cookies are a refreshing summertime treat with lemon juice-based dough and lemony frosting. You’ll never want to repurchase store-bought cookies.
This recipe will make you 13 cookies that can be divided into 16 (2 cookies) servings with three leftovers. Adjust the quantities accordingly if you want to make more cookies or fewer servings.

Table of Contents
How to Prepare Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe?
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 16 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- One stick of unsalted butter softened to room temperature. (110g)
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- One egg yolk at room temperature. (60g)
- Four egg whites at room time.
- One teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice (30ml)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (105g)
For the Frosting
- One tablespoon of heavy cream (15ml)
- One tablespoon of powdered sugar was sifted. (15g)
- 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice. (5ml)
Preparation
Step 1.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). If baking or cooking with margarine, ensure a clean surface for melting the margarine.
Step 2.
To make the cookies: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add egg yolk and mix to combine, then add egg whites (making sure to keep the yolk separate from the whites) and vanilla extract. Mix until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low speed, add flour, lemon juice, and heavy cream in three additions. Do not over-mix; it should still be lumpy.
Step 3.
Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space for spreading. Flatten the top with the bottom of a glass to form a slightly domed shape. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for at least 10 minutes before serving or storing in an air-tight container.
Step 4.
To make the frosting.
In a small bowl, stir heavy cream and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and mix well until blended. Spread onto cookies and serve. These cookies will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and three months in the freezer.

Nutritional Analysis Of Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Nutrition | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 77 |
Total Fat | 3 g |
Saturated Fat | 1 g |
Cholesterol | 12 mg |
Sodium | 36 mg |
Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
Sugars | 7 g |
Protein | 2 g |
Carbohydrates | 10 g |
Note: Values are approximate and can vary due to natural variations in the ingredients.
05 Essential Nutritional Benefits Of Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe
1. Helps Fight Cancer
Lemon is an alkalizing food, which means it will help your body produce less acid, which is a factor if you suffer from muscle aches, sore joints, or a low-pH level that interferes with the production of white blood cells.
2. Helps Fight Weight Gain
Compared with plain sugar-laden doughnuts and muffins, these cookies contain more Fiber and protein, both metabolized by the body and offload as fat.
3. Helps Fight Infections
Antioxidant-rich lemon juice readily available on the market plays a significant role in keeping the body healthy and free from inflammation.
4. Helps Digestion
Lemon aids digestion as it helps to break down proteins and enhances the body’s ability to absorb calcium, iron, and magnesium.
5. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Lemon is a natural diuretic that prevents sugar cravings by blocking glucose absorption in the intestines.
Are Panera Bread cookies good?
These cookies are good. I’ve made these hundreds of times, and never have I had a bad batch. Like most things, it takes time for me to perfect them, but once you do, you’ll have the most accessible cookies to make in the world (like me).

How many calories are in a Panera lemon drop cookie?
These cookies have a decent amount of calories, so they don’t qualify as the perfect calorie-restricted dessert. However, they are still an excellent way to eat some extra fruit and protein.
Is Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe Kids Friendly?
These cookies are great for kids! When my daughter was younger, she loved to eat these cookies with a glass of milk.
Can Pregnant & Nursing Woman Take This Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe has no added sugar, which is excellent for pregnant and nursing women. Panera lemon drop cookies have a great source of folic acid and calcium that can benefit you before, during, and after pregnancy.
If you’re unsure about consuming dairy products during lactation, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk. You can also omit the frosting if necessary, but it’s delicious at any time of the day.
Can I freeze Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe?
Yes. These cookies are awesomely frozen but lose their taste after a week. If you plan on freezing them, do not put a piece of frosting on top of the Cookie!
Panera lemon drop cookie review
I have made this recipe dozens of times and get excited when I see how much flour I’ve used. The dough is very forgiving, so you don’t need to measure precisely by the tablespoon.
If you want a perfect batch, or if it’s the first time you’re baking, measure your ingredients with a scale, and don’t be afraid to use two cups of flour!
Conclusion
Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe is an excellent snack you might want to try after dinner or lunch. It is easy to make and will look adorable on the dinner table. If you love lemon, then this recipe is for you.
These cookies are so good and sweet with a bit of frosting! I hope you enjoyed this recipe and if you did, please leave us a comment with how your cookies turned out! Enjoy!