Making lemon frosted cookies is straightforward and fun. Follow these steps to create your delicious cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Lemon Zest and Egg: Mix in the lemon zest, egg, and vanilla extract, combining until well blended.
5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Shape Dough: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
8. Cool the Cookies: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar, if necessary.
10. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle or spread the lemon frosting over each cookie. If desired, garnish with extra lemon zest for added flavor and a pop of color.

By following these simple steps, you’ll have a batch of lemon frosted cookies that are not only delicious but also beautifully presented!