Description
Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a light, zesty burst of fresh lemon flavor. Featuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture enhanced by powdered sugar and chilled butter, these cookies offer a refreshing citrus brightness perfect for summer snacking, picnics, or enjoying alongside iced tea. Simple to make with pantry staples and fresh lemon zest, they’re a perfect treat to brighten your day.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 cup unsalted chilled butter, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Variations
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (for Lemon Poppy Seed variation)
- Use gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour (for Gluten-Free option)
- Use powdered erythritol or sugar substitute instead of powdered sugar (for Sugar-Free option)
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries (for Lemon-Blueberry variation)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary (for Herbal Infusion)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Zest fresh lemons and juice them. Chill the butter beforehand to ensure the dough develops the perfect crumbly texture. Measure out your dry ingredients accurately and have everything ready to go.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the chilled butter with the powdered sugar until fluffy and light in color. This mixture forms the base of your meltaways, so patience is key here.
- Add Lemon and Vanilla: Stir in fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until evenly combined. These ingredients create the vibrant citrus flavor that sets Lemon Meltaways apart.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the flour and salt until the dough comes together. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies tender once baked.
- Shape and Chill: Roll the dough into small balls or logs, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up before baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the chilled dough for about 12-15 minutes or until edges turn a faint golden hue. Allow them to cool slightly before dusting with extra powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor from zest and juice.
- Keep butter cold to prevent greasy dough and preserve delicate crumb.
- Don’t over-bake; slightly underbake for the softest texture.
- If the dough is too sticky, chill longer before shaping.
- Sift powdered sugar before mixing to avoid lumps and ensure smooth dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: lemon cookies, meltaway cookies, summer dessert, buttery cookies, lemon zest, citrus dessert, easy cookies
