Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Whisk to combine and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl cream together softened butter, sugar, and lemon zest for 2 to 3 minutes with a mixer until creamy. Add egg, vanilla extract and freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix until combined well (about 1 to 2 minutes).

Add flour mixture to wet ingredients all at once and mix until mixture starts to come together into a dough.

Place 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop dough by tablespoons (I use a #60 cookie scoop) and roll into a balls about 1-inch in diameter. Roll dough balls in sugar until coated and place on prepared baking tray, leaving 2-inches of space in between to allow for spreading.

Bake in preheated 350 degrees F oven for about 11 to 12 minutes or until edges are firm to the touch, but are still pale. Remove from oven and let rest on trays for 1 to 2 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.