Delicious Lemon Meltaways Light Treats (Printable)

Buttery, tender cookies bursting with fresh lemon flavor and dusted with powdered sugar.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - Beat softened butter and powdered sugar in large bowl until mixture becomes light and fluffy
02 - Blend in lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into butter mixture
03 - Add salt, flour, and cornstarch to mixture, stirring until soft dough forms
04 - Divide dough in half and roll each portion into 1-inch diameter logs. Wrap securely in plastic and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper
06 - Remove dough from plastic and slice into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets with 1-inch spacing between pieces
07 - Place baking sheets in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn faintly golden
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Gently roll warm cookies in powdered sugar to coat evenly
09 - Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Apply additional dusting of powdered sugar before serving for enhanced presentation

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • These cookies practically dissolve on your tongue with that signature tender texture that only comes from the perfect butter-to-cornstarch ratio
  • The fresh lemon flavor stays vibrant for days, making them ideal for unexpected guests or midnight snacking
02 -
  • If your dough logs feel too soft to slice cleanly, pop them back in the fridge for 15 more minutes rather than trying to work with sticky dough
  • The cookies will look slightly underbaked when you take them out but they firm up perfectly during those crucial 5 minutes on the hot pan
03 -
  • Grate your lemon zest over a piece of parchment paper to catch every bit of those precious citrus oils
  • For an elegant presentation, use a small sifter to apply the final dusting of powdered sugar instead of spooning it

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