Delicious Lemon Meltaways Light Treats (Printable version)

Tender, buttery cookies bursting with fresh lemon that melt away, perfect for light desserts and teatime treats.

# List of ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed 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

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
02 - Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until fully incorporated and fragrant.
03 - Gradually add the salt, all-purpose flour, and cornstarch to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft, pliable dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
04 - Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a log approximately 1 inch in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
05 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Remove the chilled dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap. Using a sharp knife, slice into rounds approximately 1/4 inch thick. Arrange on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn a pale golden color. The centers should remain soft and pale.
08 - Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. While still warm, gently toss each cookie in powdered sugar until evenly coated.
09 - Transfer the coated cookies to a wire cooling rack and let cool completely. For an elegant presentation, give them a second light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They literally dissolve on your tongue in the most delightful way
  • The fresh lemon flavor wakes up your whole palate without being too tart
  • These cookies look like little snowballs but taste like pure buttery heaven
02 -
  • The dough needs proper chilling time or these cookies will spread too thin and lose their tender texture
  • Slice the dough rounds with a gentle sawing motion to keep the edges clean and pretty
  • Wait for that full 5 minutes of cooling before tossing in sugar or the coating will just melt off
03 -
  • Use a microplane grater for the finest most uniform zest without any bitter white pith
  • If your kitchen is warm chill your baking sheets before putting the sliced dough on them
  • The cornstarch is non-negotiable it's what creates that signature meltaway texture

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