Lemon Meltaways Recipe

Introduction

Lemon Meltaways are delightful, buttery cookies that melt in your mouth with a refreshing lemon flavor. They make a perfect light dessert or a sweet treat to enjoy with tea or coffee.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
2. Step 2: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
3. Step 3: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain pale. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Step 4: Once the cookies are completely cool, dust them generously with the remaining powdered sugar to finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger lemon flavor, add more lemon zest or a few drops of lemon extract to the dough.
• Instead of dusting with powdered sugar, drizzle a lemon glaze made by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice over the cooled cookies.
• Try adding finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a unique twist.

Storage

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. To reheat, allow them to come to room temperature or warm briefly in a low oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used if needed.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies should have lightly golden edges while the centers remain pale. They will firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

Lemon Meltaways Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 146 reviews

Lemon Meltaways are tender, buttery cookies infused with a bright lemon flavor that simply melt in your mouth. Perfectly balanced with refreshing lemon zest and juice, these cookies are dusted with powdered sugar for a delicate finish. Ideal as a light dessert or a sweet companion to your afternoon tea or coffee, they offer a simple yet elegant citrus delight.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Coating:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to form the dough.
2. Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place these balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each. Slightly flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass or your palm to form discs.
3. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain pale. After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Dust with Sugar: Once the cookies are completely cooled, generously dust them with the remaining powdered sugar to finish.

Notes

• For a stronger lemon flavor, increase the lemon zest or add a few drops of lemon extract.
• You may substitute the powdered sugar dusting with a lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice and drizzling it over the cooled cookies.
• For a herbal twist, try adding finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary into the dough.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Fresh lemon juice is preferred for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used if necessary.
• Cookies are done when edges are lightly golden but centers remain pale; they firm up upon cooling.

Keywords: Lemon cookies, meltaway cookies, buttery lemon cookies, lemon dessert, citrus cookies, easy cookie recipe, tea cookies