Lovely lemony cake like cookies that are reminiscent of Starbucks' Lemon Knot Cookies that we used to love.
When Alex was a toddler she fell in love with Starbucks’ lemon knot cookies. Who could blame her? They were thick and chewy, kind of part doughnut and part cookie. The lemon flavor was fresh, but not overpowering. The glaze was perfectly spread on the top, not too sweet, not too thin, and not too thick. They were stored next to the registers in a glass cookie jar that only added to their charm, and her desire to get one every time we paid for my afternoon latte. Sadly, the stores in our area stopped selling them, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I mourned the loss of those cookies for years.
I’ve written before about how food is more than sustenance, it’s emotional. Food is part of who we are and where we come from. Think about it, you could be minding your own business, and then suddenly you catch a whiff of an aroma that instantly takes you to earlier times. Memories come flooding back, and for a moment you feel like you’ve been transported to the past.
That’s what the fragrance of coffee and lemon do to me.
I had another recipe scheduled for this morning, but I decided to share this one with you instead. Saturday morning I woke up and made some coffee before drinking my usual glass of lemon water. While the coffee was brewing, I cut into a Meyer lemon, and the aroma of those two things combined immediately took me back twenty-three years. Instead of standing in my kitchen, I was standing in Starbucks and Alex was sitting in her mint green stroller. I saw two sweet blonde pigtails, a tiny hand reaching up toward a cookie jar, and the feeling of complete joy as I watched the crumbs of a lemon knot fall into her lap as she smiled at me with a mouth full of cookie. One perfect little memory, all because of food.
After I allowed myself a bit of time to reflect, I snapped out of it and decided to attempt to make my own perfect lemon knot cookies. Alex may not wear pigtails anymore, but she’s still that sweet little blonde beauty that she’s always been, and I knew that if I could figure out a way to bring her favorite cookie back into her life, she’d be the happiest lady ever.
It took me two tries to get the texture and the lemon flavor as I remembered them. Not bad, considering these are not a typical cookie. I used fresh Meyer lemon juice, some lemon extract, aquafaba, vegan butter, flour, sugar, and almond milk to make the dough. They turned out perfectly puffy and light, yet dense and chewy. The lemon flavor was bright and lovely. I was in love, but that wasn't what mattered, the true litmus test was what Alex thought of them.
She and her boyfriend loved them!
The Perfect Valentine’s Day Cookie
When I got two thumbs up from both of them, I decided that I had to share this recipe with you all today. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what could be better than making your favorite people pretty lemon love knot cookies? There’s nothing better than homemade, and even though these don’t have a hint of red, and they’re not heart shaped, they will bring a smile to that special someone’s face. I promise.
Don’t be intimidated by the look of these little cookies, they’re actually easy to make. All you need to do is mix up the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator for fifteen minutes, then scoop up a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a six-inch log, and twist it into a knot.
Bake them for approximately fifteen minutes and let them cool. When the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze on top and let it dry. The last step is eating them. I dare you to eat just one.
If you were a fan of the lemon knot cookies Starbucks used to sell, you need to make these. I really want to hear what you think. Hopefully you’ll love them as much as Alex and Max do.
Notes:
The dough will be sticky when you begin to roll it. The more you roll it the firmer it will become. If you need to add a bit more flour, go ahead, just don't over do it. These cookies take patience, but they're worth it.
Depending on the humidity, brand of flour, how precise your measuring cups are, etc, the dough will vary in moisture. We make these cookies frequently and occasionally have to add more flour because of certain variables.
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Vegan Lemon Knot Cookies – Egg-Free and Dairy-Free
Equipment
- 1 mixer
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 Oven
- 1 cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons melted vegan butter
- 4 tablespoons aquafaba liquid from a can of chickpeas
- Juice from one large ¼ cup Meyer lemon
- 2 ½ teaspoons pure lemon extract
- Zest from one lemon
- ½ cup almond milk
For the Glaze:
- ⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat
- In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together until well combined
- In a large mixing bowl whip the butter and sugar together until combined. Scrape the sides to make sure that all of the sugar is blended with the butter. Add the aquafaba and blend until just combined. Add the lemon juice, zest, and lemon extract, mix until well blended. Slowly add ⅓ of the flour and ⅓ of the almond milk, one at a time and continue until all of the flour and milk is just combined with the sugar and butter mixture. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This is an important step. Don't skip it or the dough will be too sticky to roll.
- Scoop out a heaping tablespoon of dough, on the cookie sheet, roll it (SEE NOTE) into a 6-inch log (pat your hands with flour to make it easier) and take one end and wind it into a circle and tuck the end into the center to form a knot. Continue with the rest of the dough and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the cookies are puffy and beginning to turn a light golden brown. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
For the glaze:
- Mix the confectioner’s sugar, water, and lemon extract together until if forms a thick glaze. Dollop on the cookies and let the glaze spread out and run down the cookies.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Carol says
What kind of sugar did you use...cane sugar, coconut sugar, just white sugar? Thanks...making them tomorrow!!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Carol! I used white sugar (Target's Simply Balanced or Imperial Sugar is vegan) for this recipe. It's a light cookie so a heavier sugar wouldn't yield the same results. Let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Carol says
They turned out great! They really didn't brown at all so I left them in the oven longer. As a result they were a heavier texture than I thought they'd be...dense and chewy. But I liked them that way. Loved how lemony they are.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Carol! That's the tricky thing about recipes, every oven, cook top, location (altitude/humidity), and even ingredients, can yield different results. Even though they didn't turn out exactly like mine, I'm happy you enjoyed them. There's nothing wrong with a dense and chewy cookie. 🙂
Carol says
yes! And I loved them and will make again!
Linda Meyer says
Awww, thank you. You're the best! 🙂
The Vegan 8 says
Awww, what a sweet story about Alex! It made me smile. What a shame they no longer sell these because I LOVE lemon cookies. Yours are beautiful and pretty much, perfection!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Brandi! If they did still sell them we wouldn't eat them because I'm sure they weren't vegan, so it's a good thing I created my own. 🙂
Vegan Heaven says
These look so delicious, Linda! I've already seen them on Pinterest several times. What an eye catcher! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Sina! That's exciting to hear. 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
These cookies look like they melt in your mouth. Perfect for with tea!
Linda Meyer says
They kind of do, and they're wonderful with tea. Thanks, Ceara!
nicoleanndawson says
Who says Valentine's Day has to be just about chocolate? Lemon sounds delightful and perfectly refreshing
Linda Meyer says
Exactly! Yay for lemon! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
I've never had these at Starbucks but they look delicious! I'm sure yours are way better anyway!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, girlfriend! They stopped selling them years ago, you were probably a teenager when they were in their stores. 🙂
Uma Srinivas says
Wow! I am definitely going to make this. Mouthwatering!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you Uma! Let me know how you like them. 🙂
Donna says
These are the cutest, I bet my kids would love them for a treat! And how yummy is lemon in winter!!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Donna! They would love making them too! Thanks so much. 🙂
Anjali Lalani says
There's just something about lemon cookies that I've just LOVED! These look delicious!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Anjali! I agree, lemon is a weakness of mine.
Millies Moments says
Hi there, I cam across your blog and throughly enjoy what I see.. Keep it up! It would be great if we could support each other. I just started my own blog if you would like to check it out:D
Linda Meyer says
Hello! Thanks for the comment, I'll check out your blog soon.
Susan Skidmore says
Do you think I could sub orange for the lemon in the recipe?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Susan! Absolutely, just make sure you use pure orange extract along with the fresh juice to get the best flavor. I may have to make orange knots next. 🙂
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I love desserts that includes lemons, they gives very good flavor to them. This cookies can go very well in combination with a cup of tea, Linda!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you Agnes! Yes, I love them with tea. 🙂
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
When I first looked at them I thought they were cinnamon rolls but then I got really excited when I read that they are mini knot cookies. That means I get to have LOTS of them! Awesome recipe, Linda!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Vanessa! Eat as many as you want, they're totally worth it. 🙂
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I've never had a lemon knot cookie, but they look incredible!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! You should try them, they're pretty awesome. Perfect for afternoon tea. 🙂
Dreena says
These are so pretty and delicate-looking! Beautiful for entertaining.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Dreena! They look delicate but they're really quite sturdy, which makes them perfect for taking to a party or mailing to someone.
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I have never even heard of these cookies, but lemony glazed treats always grab my attention! They sound wonderful, and I loved the little Alex image/backstory too 😀
Linda Meyer says
Awww, thanks, Natalie. I really think you'd love these, Natalie!
Becky says
These look so amazing! I love lemony desserts.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks Becky!
Jenn says
I have never heard of these cookies, but I love anything with lemon, so I'm sure I would have loved them and these! What a sweet story about you and Alex!
Linda Meyer says
It was a sad day when Starbucks stopped selling them. If I remember correctly, the bakery that made them went out of business. Thanks, Jenn!
Strength and Sunshine says
Part doughnut part cookie? Count me in!
Linda Meyer says
You'd love them, Rebecca! 🙂
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Yum, I love anything sweet with lemon and these look perfect to channel spring. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks so much! Lemon is one of those foods that just brightens my mood.