1-Gathering and Prepping: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies won’t stick and bakes evenly. Gather all ingredients to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Next, in a small bowl, combine the 1 cup sugar, lemon zest, and lavender. Rub them together with your fingertips for about 1 minute until the mixture smells amazing and fragrant.

2-Mixing the Dough: Transfer that fragrant mix to a large bowl and add the softened butter. Beat it on high with an electric mixer for 1 minute until it’s creamy and light.

Then, add the lemon juice, egg, and vanilla; beat until everything is fully mixed in. Sprinkle in the baking soda and salt, and mix briefly to combine.

Gradually add the flour, beating just until the dough comes together don’t overdo it, or your cookies might get tough.

3-Shaping and Baking: Scoop the dough into roughly 1-tablespoon portions using a cookie scoop for even sizes. Roll each ball in the extra ¼ cup sugar if you want that extra sparkle, then place them on the prepared sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the tops look a bit under-baked they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

For variations, if you’re adapting for dietary needs, mix in substitutes like vegan butter at this stage. Once done, repeat with any remaining dough. The total time is about 32 minutes, including prep, bake, and cool.