These SCD Lemon Cookies are the perfect summer treat for those following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or anyone looking for a gluten-free and paleo-friendly dessert option. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a bright, zesty lemon flavor, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt.
Made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and coconut oil, these cookies are free from grains, refined sugars, and dairy, making them a healthier alternative to traditional cookies.
Whether you’re preparing for a backyard gathering or just want a delicious treat, these Specific Carbohydrate Diet friendly cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love These SCD Lemon Cookies
Tangy Lemon Flavor: The combination of lemon zest and lemon juice provides a refreshing citrusy taste that’s balanced by the natural sweetness of honey.
Grain-Free and Gluten-Free: Made with almond flour and coconut oil, these cookies are perfect for those avoiding grains or gluten.
SCD and Paleo Friendly: This recipe follows the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) guidelines and is also suitable for a paleo diet.
Easy and Quick: These cookies come together in no time, making them perfect for busy days when you need a quick, healthy treat.
Ingredients for SCD Lemon Cookies
To make these lemon cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 & 1/4 Cups of Almond Flour (a key ingredient for both texture and flavor)
- 3 Tablespoons of Butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed for the best lemon flavor)
- 1/4 Cup of Honey (a natural sweetener that complies with the SCD diet)
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest (adds extra citrusy flavor)
- 1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Apple Sauce (for moisture and natural sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda (to help the cookies rise)
How to Make SCD Lemon Cookies
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, butter, vanilla extract, lemon juice, honey, lemon zest, apple sauce, and baking soda. Mix until a smooth cookie dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and place it on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before adding icing.
Icing Recipe for SCD Lemon Cookies
Adding icing to these SCD Lemon Cookies enhances their refreshing lemon flavor while keeping the ingredients natural and compliant with SCD and paleo guidelines.
What You Will Need:
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
How to Make the Icing:
- Beat the Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, and coconut oil. Beat until smooth and well combined.
- Cool the Cookies: Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before adding the icing. For best results, place the cookies in the refrigerator for 3 hours to allow them to firm up.
- Add Icing: Once the cookies are cooled, drizzle the icing over the top. The cool temperature will help the icing set perfectly.
- Store: Keep the cookies in the fridge to maintain their freshness and texture. They are ready to enjoy once the icing is set!
Tips for the Perfect Cookies
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut oil for butter for a dairy-free version of these cookies.
- Cookie Dough Consistency: Scroll down to the frequently asked questions section to get detailed information on how to prevent a liquidy dough.
- Icing Consistency: If you want thicker icing, add a bit more coconut oil to the mixture and allow it to chill slightly before applying it to the cookies.
- Extra Lemon Flavor: If you love bold lemon flavor, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest to the cookie dough.
The Perfect Healthy Treat
These SCD Lemon Cookies are perfect for anyone looking for a gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly dessert. With their light, buttery texture and refreshing lemon taste, they’re a hit at any event or as a daily treat. The natural sweetness from honey and the zesty icing makes them an irresistible yet healthy indulgence.
If you’re on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or just want to make a wholesome dessert, these cookies are a great choice. Keep them in your fridge for a cool, delicious treat anytime!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use coconut oil instead of butter?
Yes! Coconut oil is a great substitute for butter in this recipe, and it adds a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the lemon.
Are these cookies vegan?
These cookies can be made vegan by using coconut oil instead of butter, though the honey would need to be substituted with a vegan sweetener like maple syrup.
How should I store these cookies?
It’s best to store these cookies in the refrigerator to keep them firm and fresh. The icing sets nicely when chilled.
Are these lemon cookies sugar-free?
While this SCD recipe includes honey as a natural sweetener, honey still contains sugar, so the cookies are not completely sugar-free. However, you can easily substitute honey with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener or stevia to make these healthy lemon cookies with no sugar. This cookie recipe is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and suitable for those following a specific carbohydrate diet (SCD). By making this swap, you’ll create delicious lemon cookies that fit into a sugar-free lifestyle while still offering the tangy, bright flavor of lemons.
Are these lemon cookies gluten-free and paleo-friendly?
Yes, this cookie recipe is both gluten-free and paleo-friendly! These gluten free lemon cookies use almond flour instead of regular flour, making them a great option for anyone avoiding gluten or grains. The recipe also avoids refined sugars and dairy, using coconut oil and natural ingredients to create a delicious, healthier treat. These cookies align with paleo and SCD recipes, offering a tasty, nutrient-rich option for those on specific diets.
How Can I Avoid Liquidy Cookie Dough?
- Reduce Apple Sauce: Decrease the amount of unsweetened apple sauce to 1/4 cup or less. This will help reduce the moisture in the dough.
- Increase Almond Flour or Add Coconut Flour: Consider increasing the amount of almond flour by 1/4 cup, or add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut flour. Coconut flour absorbs more moisture than almond flour, so it can help balance the liquid content.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before forming the cookies could help firm it up if it’s still a bit soft.
- Optional Egg: If you’re open to it, adding 1 egg to the dough would help with binding and texture.
Make these delicious SCD Lemon Cookies today for a refreshing and healthy treat that everyone will love!
More Specific Carbohydrate Diet Recipes You’ll Love
- Paleo Blueberry Muffins – Gluten Free & SCD
- Easy Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies SCD Legal
- Paleo Banana Cream Pie (SCD, Gluten Free)
- Easy Paleo & SCD Pie Crust
- Homemade Yogurt Recipe for SCD
SCD Lemon Cookies
These SCD Lemon Cookies are gluten and sugar-free. These healthy cookies are perfect for the specific carbohydrate diet and the paleo diet.
Ingredients
- 2 & 1/4 Cups of Almond Flour
- 3 Tablespoons of Butter, softened
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Cup of Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Apple Sauce
Icing
- 2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoon of Honey
- 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all ingredients in a mixer until a dough forms. Scoop out 1 Tablespoon at a time to form cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 12-15 minutes
Cool before Icing and refrigerate after icing for at least 3 hours.
Notes
Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before adding icing.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 114Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 8mgSodium 78mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 1g
The nutrition in recipes is calculate by AI, mistakes happen. It is highly recommended to check carb counts to make sure these recipes fit into your diet. Also, if you are following a specific diet or have allergies to certain foods, be sure to do your research on products before considering it safe to consume.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
Lisa
Thursday 23rd of December 2021
I made these and they were delicious! Addicting, actually. When I finished one, I just wanted more. I made my applesauce fresh and it was very thick. I used a scoop to make balls. The batter was loose. Next time I might add a little more almond flour.
Lori Cole
Sunday 25th of November 2018
There's something definitely missing from this recipe. It was impossible to form a tablespoon cookie from a liquid mixture. There was no dough. It was all liquid. A total waste of ingredients and time.
Melissa
Monday 26th of November 2018
Hi Lori, thanks for stopping by and letting me know your thoughts on this recipe. I will be sure to remake this one and make sure everything is listed properly. When having technical problems with the site, the plugins used to share the recipes can sometimes fail, so I will be sure to update after I try it out. Thanks again for stopping by and I am so sorry for your trouble.