Description
These Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies are light, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, they are the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Coated in a layer of powdered sugar, these cookies are a refreshing treat that will leave you craving more. Ideal for any occasion, they’re sure to brighten up your dessert table.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 2 lemons (about 2 tbsp)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
For the Coating:
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (for rolling)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls between your palms. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on each ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingers to slightly flatten them (optional).
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies should remain pale in the center—do not overbake, as they will firm up as they cool.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll each cookie generously in powdered sugar until fully coated. For an extra snowy effect, roll them again just before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
To prevent overmixing the dough, make sure to mix the flour and salt in slowly and only until the dough comes together. Overworking the dough can result in less tender cookies.
These cookies are meant to stay pale in the center, so avoid baking them too long to maintain their soft and delicate texture.
For an extra burst of lemon flavor, you can add a small amount of lemon zest or juice to the powdered sugar coating for an enhanced citrusy finish.