Bright and Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies
You deserve tender, buttery lemon cookies that practically dissolve in your mouth. This recipe delivers intense, fresh lemon flavor and a perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture every time you bake.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the lemon extract, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined into a soft dough. Do not overmix.
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain pale. You want these cookies soft.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, place the powdered sugar in a shallow dish. Roll each cookie thoroughly in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Store the finished lemon meltaway cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
- For an extra zesty flavor, use finely grated zest from two large lemons.
- If you prefer a slightly chewier cookie, reduce the baking time by one minute.
- These cookies are excellent for spring baking ideas or as a simple citrus dessert recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25