Lucy M. These chewy, lightly sweet cookies have a soft center and a hint of lemon that makes them totally irresistible.
Jumbles are one of those old-fashioned treats I always come back to. I remember making them on a rainy afternoon, just wanting to bake something simple and comforting. These cookies are soft, a little crisp on the edges, and full of lemony flavor. The best part? They’re super easy to mix up with just a few pantry ingredients. If you’ve never tried Jumbles, now’s your chance to add a new favorite to your cookie list!
What Are Jumbles?
Jumbles are old-fashioned cookies that go way back—like, really old-school. They started as hard little biscuits in the past, but today we make them soft, sweet, and chewy. What makes them special is how simple they are. You don’t need anything fancy—just butter, sugar, flour, and a bit of lemon or vanilla for flavor.
The fun part is shaping them. You can twist the dough into knots, rings, or loops—whatever you like. Some people call them “knot cookies” because of this. I think of them as the kind of cookies you’d find in grandma’s kitchen, warm from the oven and ready to eat with a glass of milk.
If you’ve never tried Jumbles before, you’re in for a cozy, tasty treat.
Ingredients
- 1 extra-large egg
- A few drops of vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 sticks salted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (finely grated)
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- Clear honey (for brushing)
- Demerara sugar (for dusting on top)
Instructions
- First, I preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a big bowl, I mix the softened butter and sugar until it turns creamy. I use a wooden spoon or a hand mixer when I’m lazy.
- I crack in the egg and add the vanilla. I stir everything until smooth.
- Then I mix in the lemon zest—it smells so fresh and adds that little kick.
- I slowly add the flour, one cup at a time, and keep mixing until I get a soft dough. If it feels sticky, I sprinkle in a little more flour.
- I take pieces of dough and roll them into ropes. Then I twist or curl them into simple knots or circles.
- I place the shaped dough on the baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
- I brush a little honey on top of each one, just enough to make them sticky. Then I sprinkle some demerara sugar on top for crunch.
- I bake them for about 12–15 minutes, until the edges look light golden.
- After baking, I let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Jumbles
Ingredients
Method
- First, I preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a big bowl, I mix the softened butter and sugar until it turns creamy. I use a wooden spoon or a hand mixer when I’m lazy.
- I crack in the egg and add the vanilla. I stir everything until smooth.
- Then I mix in the lemon zest—it smells so fresh and adds that little kick.
- I slowly add the flour, one cup at a time, and keep mixing until I get a soft dough. If it feels sticky, I sprinkle in a little more flour.
- I take pieces of dough and roll them into ropes. Then I twist or curl them into simple knots or circles.
- I place the shaped dough on the baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
- I brush a little honey on top of each one, just enough to make them sticky. Then I sprinkle some demerara sugar on top for crunch.
- I bake them for about 12–15 minutes, until the edges look light golden.
- After baking, I let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Notes
Baking Jumbles with Kids
Baking Jumbles with kids is one of my favorite ways to spend a lazy afternoon. The dough is soft and easy to handle, which makes it perfect for little hands. Kids love rolling it out and twisting it into loops, knots, or even silly shapes that only they understand. I usually set up a small station for them with flour, a kid-friendly rolling pin, and a few cookie cutters. They help mix, shape, and even brush on the honey glaze. Sprinkling the sugar on top is always their favorite part—it feels like decorating magic. Feel no pressure for perfect shapes. Every cookie is unique, and that’s what makes the baking time extra special. Plus, the smell of Jumbles baking fills the kitchen and gets everyone excited for a warm cookie treat. It’s fun, a little messy, and full of smiles.If you enjoy traditional bakes like jumbles, you’ll love the delicate charm of our French Madeleines—light, buttery, and perfect with a cup of tea.
Nutritional Value (per cookie, approximate)
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 15g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 1g
Baking Jumbles with Kids
Baking Jumbles with kids is one of my favorite ways to spend a lazy afternoon. The dough is soft and easy to handle, which makes it perfect for little hands. Kids love rolling it out and twisting it into loops, knots, or even silly shapes that only they understand.
I usually set up a small station for them with flour, a kid-friendly rolling pin, and a few cookie cutters. They help mix, shape, and even brush on the honey glaze. Sprinkling the sugar on top is always their favorite part—it feels like decorating magic.
Feel no pressure for perfect shapes. Every cookie is unique, and that’s what makes the baking time extra special. Plus, the smell of Jumbles baking fills the kitchen and gets everyone excited for a warm cookie treat.
It’s fun, a little messy, and full of smiles.
Conclusion
Jumbles are the kind of cookies that never get old. They look simple, but the lemon zest and sugar topping make them shine. I love baking them when I want something cozy without a lot of fuss. You can even change up the shape every time to keep it fun. If you’ve got flour, butter, and a little lemon, you’re already halfway there!
