Description
Lemon Meltaways are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Perfect for brightening teatime or holiday cookie platters, these light and buttery treats combine the zing of citrus with a tender, crumbly texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, which incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Lemon and Vanilla: Stir in the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined to infuse the dough with fresh citrus flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and prevent lumps.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can result in tough cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass or your fingers to create evenly shaped cookies.
- Chill if Needed: If the dough feels too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes to firm up, making shaping easier.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just start turning golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain their tender, meltaway texture.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing residual heat to finish the baking process evenly.
- Prepare Glaze: While cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and optional lemon zest until smooth and pourable for a bright finishing touch.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once completely cooled, drizzle or spread the lemon glaze over the cookies. Let the glaze set fully before serving, giving them a glossy and tangy finish.
Notes
- For more intense lemon flavor, increase the lemon zest by an additional teaspoon.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor; bottled lemon juice can alter the taste.
- If the glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar to thicken.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze unglazed cookies and glaze after thawing for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
