Description
Sunshine-kissed lemon meltaway cookies promise pure bliss with their delicate crumb and tangy zest. Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats will transport you to a refreshing citrus paradise with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Primary Fat and Sweet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar (plus more for dusting)
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar (for lemon sugar coating)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon (about 1 lemon) lemon zest (for cookies)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for lemon sugar coating)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Meticulously arrange oven rack to center position and warm the oven to 350F, ensuring even temperature distribution by lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with soft peaks, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Infuse the butter mixture with vibrant flavor by introducing vanilla extract, freshly grated lemon zest, and a splash of lemon juice, blending until harmoniously combined.
- Gently sift flour and salt into the wet ingredients, folding with minimal stirring to prevent gluten development, until a cohesive dough forms.
- Craft uniform cookie spheres by portioning dough with a small scoop, rolling between palms to create smooth, consistent orbs approximately one tablespoon in size.
- Strategically place cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining two-inch intervals to allow proper spreading during baking.
- Slide sheets into preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges while preserving the cookies’ tender interior.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for five minutes, enabling gentle cooling and structural stabilization.
- Transfer cookies to wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction.
- Prepare finishing dust by combining powdered sugar and additional lemon zest in a shallow bowl.
- Once cookies reach room temperature, delicately roll each one in the zesty sugar mixture, ensuring complete and elegant coating.
- Serve immediately or preserve in airtight container for optimal freshness over five days.
Notes
- Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for these delicate cookies.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies that lose their delightful crumbly consistency.
- Grate fresh lemon zest for maximum citrus flavor and aroma, which elevates the cookie’s bright, tangy profile.
- Gluten-free bakers can easily substitute regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg