Panera Lemon Drop Cookies Recipe (Sugar-free & gluten-free)

If soft, pillowy cookies are your thing and you’re a tang fan, you are going to be obsessed with this copycat Panera lemon drop cookie recipe. It’s a perfectly sweet, healthy replacement of the original and in no way dulls the vibrant lemon flavor.

Panera Bread’s lemon drop cookies are some of the most delicious out there. They are perfect for dessert lovers but not so perfect for anyone following a healthy diet. So, I had to intervene (with my detox ingredients) and make this delicious cookie guilt-free for all.

This healthy Panera Lemon Cookies recipe contains far fewer calories and carbs than the original, with a bonus of 6x more fiber and double the protein. The cookie base turns out equally soft with ready-for-a-bite crispy edges. Though the flavor goes perfectly with the afternoon tea, you can always load your cookies with fresh lemon zest or juice for extra vitamins and minerals.

It’s an easy Panera lemon cookie recipe that requires no fancy kitchen equipment. You don’t even need the dough chilling time, as our DD Swaps hold it together well in the oven without the extra chill step.

Our four Sweet Swaps in this cookie recipe work together to provide a balanced macronutrient dessert that suits most dietary preferences.

Fats:

This recipe for Panera lemon cookie swaps out bad fats for vegan Egg and Butter alternatives that are packed with anti-inflammatory benefits. They are completely free of trans fats and cholesterol, supporting a heart-healthy dietary pattern.

Protein:

Our Egg Swap has 50% more protein than an egg with ZERO cholesterol or allergy triggers. The Vegan Egg Swap used in the recipe adds much more protein to these cookies than a regular egg would. The Grain-Free Flour and Butter swaps also add extra protein, giving these cookies nearly twice the protein compared to the original Panera version.

Fiber:

This copycat Panera lemon cookie contains 6x more fiber, which helps provide more blood sugar stability throughout the day. The soluble plant fiber from the psyllium husk in our Flour Swaps provides digestive benefits, removes toxins from your body, and keeps you feeling full for longer.

Carbs and Calories:

Each detoxed Panera lemon cookie packs only 2g of net carbs when made with the Grain-Free Flour Swap. It’s a low-carb, low-calorie version of the classical cookie, which is ideal for keeping your body in ketosis and optimizing metabolism. It is also sugar-free and suitable for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.

3. Add wet ingredients and blend using a large spoon, electric hand mixer or stand mixer until no lumps remain.

5. Fold-in sugar free white chocolate chips if desired.

6. Use your small cookie scoop to make equal sized dough balls, roll between your hands, then press each cookie on the parchment lined cookie sheet. The cookies will expand as they bake but they won’t spread much so flatten each cookie down to the approximate thickness you want for your finished cookie.

7. Bake for about 9 minutes (both Whole Grain and Grain-Free cookies baked the same amount of time in my oven) until the edges start to turn slightly golden and the tops start to crack.

8. Remove from the oven and cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool.

9. Once the cookies are at room temperature, coat each cookie in Powdered Sugar Swap.