Description
Bright, buttery, and impossible to stop at one, these Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies are the kind of easy recipe that makes any dessert table feel special. Each cookie bakes up soft and tender with a delicate crumb, then gets topped with a smooth lemon glaze and a sprinkle of fresh zest for a fresh bakery-style finish. They are perfect for a quick breakfast treat, afternoon snack, holiday baking tray, easy dessert, spring gathering, or whenever you need fresh food ideas that feel simple but impressive.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Gently flatten each dough ball slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the bottoms are lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
11. Spoon or drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.
12. Finish with fresh lemon zest and let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
Do not overbake these cookies, because pulling them from the oven when they are just set is what keeps the centers soft and gives them that true meltaway texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 22mg