Description
Baking the perfect cookie is an art form that rewards the senses and pleases the palate. Among the countless variations, Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies stand out with their delicate texture and vibrant flavor. This delightful recipe offers a citrusy twist on the traditional cookie, making it a favorite for lemon lovers. Let’s dive into how you can recreate this refreshing treat in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), room temperature
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- Lemon zest: From one medium lemon
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
For the Lemon Glaze:
- Confectioners’ sugar: 2 cups
- Fresh lemon juice: 3 tablespoons
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cookie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add the egg and lemon zest, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Sift together the baking powder, salt, and flour, then gradually add to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shaping:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure there is enough space between each ball to allow for slight spreading.
- Baking:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are just set and barely golden at the edges. They should not brown.
- Glazing:
- While the cookies cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or sugar if necessary.
- Once cookies are cool, drizzle or dip them in the glaze, then set aside to allow the glaze to harden.
Notes
Here are three notes regarding the Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies recipe to keep in mind:
- Preparation Time Efficiency: The prep time for these cookies is relatively short, making them an excellent choice for bakers who need a quick yet impressive dessert option. Including both preparation and baking, you’re looking at about 40 minutes total time. This efficiency makes the cookies ideal for unexpected guests or last-minute gatherings.
- Dietary Considerations: These cookies are vegetarian, as they contain egg but no other animal products. For those with dietary restrictions, it’s possible to adapt the recipe to be vegan by using plant-based substitutes for the butter and egg. Additionally, a gluten-free flour blend can replace all-purpose flour for those avoiding gluten.
- Nutritional Information: It’s beneficial to be aware of the nutritional content per serving, especially for those monitoring their intake of sugars or fats. Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, with 11 grams of sugar and 7 grams of fat. This detailed breakdown helps in managing dietary preferences and restrictions, ensuring that all enjoy these delightful treats responsibly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg