Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies
Make these tender, buttery lemon cookies that dissolve in your mouth. They have a bright, zesty flavor and are finished with a simple powdered sugar coating.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 32 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and egg yolk until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice until just mixed. Do not overmix.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still pale. They should not brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once completely cool, roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until fully coated. For a thicker coating, you can roll them a second time after the first layer sets slightly.
Notes
- For the best melt-in-your-mouth texture, do not overbake these cookies. They should remain very pale.
- If you want an extra burst of citrus, add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract along with the vanilla.
- Store these delicate lemon dessert recipes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25