Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature salted butter with ½ cup of granulated sugar and all of the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
Add the large egg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep the dough light and airy.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may appear slightly underbaked, but they will continue to set as they cool.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cookies are completely cool, you can frost them with your favorite pre-prepared frosting and add sprinkles for an extra touch of fun.
