Lemon Meltaways Recipe
Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a refreshing hint of lemon zest and juice. Soft and crumbly, they melt in your mouth and are perfect for a light and sweet treat. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, these meltaways are simple to make and delightful to enjoy with tea or coffee.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Add cornstarch, all-purpose flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the creamed mixture and blend until a soft dough forms, combining all ingredients thoroughly.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork or your fingers to create a slight patty shape.
- Bake: Bake the shaped dough in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn golden brown, indicating they are cooked through but still tender inside.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents sogginess and preserves their delicate texture.
- Dust with Sugar: Once cool, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar for added sweetness and an attractive finish before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better dough consistency.
- Handle the dough gently when shaping to maintain the delicate texture of the cookies.
- For more lemon flavor, you can add a little more lemon zest but be careful not to overpower the balance.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Be careful not to overbake to retain the meltaway texture; the edges should be just golden.
Keywords: Lemon Meltaways, lemon cookies, buttery cookies, lemon zest cookies, soft meltaway cookies, easy lemon dessert