Description
Delectable zesty lemon meltaway cookies bring sunshine to classic shortbread with tangy citrus notes. Buttery, delicate rounds melt gracefully, offering refreshing flavor that whisks you to Mediterranean kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for pristine cookie performance.
- Cream Base: Whip butter and powdered sugar into a cloud-like consistency, ensuring a smooth, integrated foundation for the zesty cookies.
- Citrus Infusion: Incorporate lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to distribute vibrant, aromatic flavors throughout the mixture.
- Dough Development: Fold flour and salt into the wet ingredients, gently mixing until a uniform dough emerges, avoiding excessive manipulation that could compromise the delicate texture.
- Shape and Arrange: Roll compact dough balls, positioning them methodically on prepared baking sheets with strategic spacing to promote even baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Slide trays into the heated oven, allowing cookies to transform for 12-14 minutes until edges achieve a subtle golden rim while preserving their tender core.
- Cool and Set: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack where they’ll solidify into ethereal, melt-in-your-mouth delicacies dusted with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Zest with Precision: Carefully grate only the yellow part of the lemon peel to avoid bitter white pith, which can make cookies taste harsh.
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect creamy consistency that helps cookies achieve their signature melt-away texture.
- Avoid Overmixing Dough: Mix flour gently just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies – delicate handling creates the most tender meltaway experience.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend and use plant-based butter for a versatile cookie that accommodates different dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg