Description
Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies are delicate, buttery treats infused with fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright, refreshing flavor. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are lightly dusted with powdered sugar, making them a perfect sweet and tangy snack or dessert for any lemon lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (plus more for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (approximately 1 lemon)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully combined, which helps create the cookies’ tender texture.
- Add Lemon: Mix in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest thoroughly to infuse the dough with vibrant, zesty flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt evenly to ensure the salt is distributed throughout the dough.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet lemon mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms without overmixing, preserving the cookie’s delicate crumb.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm it up, which makes the dough easier to handle and helps cookies retain their shape when baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into small balls, place them spaced on the baking sheet, and gently flatten each ball slightly to form the cookie shape.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for the edges to just begin turning golden, indicating doneness while keeping the centers soft.
- Cool and Finish: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before dusting generously with powdered sugar or optionally drizzling with a lemon glaze for an extra burst of flavor and pretty presentation.
Notes
- For a more intense lemon flavor, use organic lemons for zest and juice.
- If you prefer a glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little lemon juice for drizzling over cooled cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- To keep cookies fresh longer, refrigerate in airtight containers for up to two weeks.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze dough balls before baking or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
