Copycat Panera Lemon Drop Cookies

A stack of lemon drop cookies on a white plate, dusted with powdered sugar.

5 from 2 votes

Copycat Panera Lemon Drop Cookies

These soft and chewy copycat Panera lemon drop cookies are packed with fresh lemon flavor, melty white chocolate chips, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Easy to make at home in under 30 minutes—no fancy ingredients, just bright citrus flavor in every bite.

Prep Time10

Cook Time14

Total Time24

Course: All Recipes, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 284kcal

Author: Jeri Walker

Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup cornstarch
½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon extract to the butter mixture and mix with the electric mixer until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Gently mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and white chocolate chips.
Scoop out ¼ cup portions of dough on a cookie sheet, placing only 4 cookies per tray to allow room for spreading.
Bake in the oven for 14 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Rest cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once completely cool, dust the tops with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Notes

For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking so the cookies don't spread as much.
For a crispier cookie, bake for an extra minute or two.

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