Description
Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a refreshing lemon flavor, dusted with powdered sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth treat. Perfect for tea time or any occasion requiring a light, citrusy dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
Topping
- Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Lemon Flavor: Mix in the lemon extract and freshly grated lemon zest to infuse the dough with bright, citrus aroma and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to ensure even distribution of the dry components.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet lemon butter mixture, stirring until just combined to form a soft dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to handle and enhancing the texture.
- Prepare Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but not browned to retain their tender melt-away texture.
- Initial Cooling and Sugar Coating: Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then roll them in additional powdered sugar to coat them evenly.
- Final Cooling: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving, ensuring they hold their shape and texture.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and achieving the perfect texture.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the best flavor.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be set but not browned to maintain softness.
- Rolling the warm cookies in powdered sugar ensures an even, smooth coating.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
