Lemon Meltaways Light Zesty Treats (Printable)
Buttery, tender cookies bursting with fresh lemon flavor that melt in your mouth.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
→ Coating
09 - 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
# How-To Steps:
01 - Beat softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
02 - Incorporate fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully blended into the mixture.
03 - Mix in salt, flour, and cornstarch until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
04 - Divide dough in half and roll each portion into 1-inch diameter logs. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
05 - Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Unwrap chilled dough and cut into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange on prepared baking sheets with 1-inch spacing between cookies.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges develop a pale golden color.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Gently roll warm cookies in powdered sugar to coat evenly.
09 - Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool entirely. Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly tender, literally melting away with each bite
- Fresh lemon cuts through the richness so they never feel too heavy
- They come together quickly but taste like you spent hours on them
02 -
- Warm dough spreads too much, so do not skip the chilling step even if you are impatient
- These cookies continue baking on the hot sheet, so pull them out when the centers still look slightly soft
03 -
- Cream the butter and sugar longer than you think necessary for the lightest texture
- Try the dough with orange or lime if you want to switch up the citrus