Delicious Lemon Meltaways Zesty Treats (Printer-Friendly)

Tender, buttery lemon cookies that melt in your mouth with fresh citrus zest

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup cornstarch

→ Coating

09 - 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting

# How-To Steps:

01 - Beat softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy mixture forms.
02 - Blend in lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
03 - Mix in salt, flour, and cornstarch until soft dough comes together.
04 - Divide dough in half, roll each portion into 1-inch diameter logs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Unwrap dough, cut into 1/4-inch rounds, and place on prepared baking sheets 1 inch apart.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
08 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then gently toss in powdered sugar while warm.
09 - Transfer to wire rack to cool completely, then dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • These cookies come together with minimal effort but taste like something from a fancy bakery
  • The balance of tart lemon and sweet powdered sugar creates an addictive combination
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is non-negotiable because warm dough will spread too much and lose its shape
  • The cookies should look slightly underbaked when you take them out because they continue cooking on the hot baking sheet
03 -
  • Roll your lemon zest directly into the powdered sugar before creaming to distribute the essential oils more evenly
  • Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices to maintain perfectly round cookies with ragged edges

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