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Lemon Meltaways Recipe

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4.2 from 8 reviews

Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, offering a light citrus flavor balanced by a vanilla undertone. These melt-in-your-mouth treats are rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet, powdery finish, perfect for any tea time or dessert platter.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 stick (4 ounces; 113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

For Rolling

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter with 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar until well combined and creamy. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the mixture; continue to beat until everything is fully incorporated.
  2. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the flour, cornstarch, and sea salt over the wet mixture. Beat gently on low speed to mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. The dough will be slightly crumbly at this stage.
  3. Shape and Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Place each portion onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper and shape each into a uniform log approximately 12 inches long. Roll the logs tightly in the paper and twist the ends closed. Refrigerate the dough logs for 1 hour to firm up.
  4. Preheat the Oven: When the dough has chilled for an hour, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Slice the Dough: Unwrap the dough logs and slice each into 12 even pieces, creating roughly 24 cookies total. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
  6. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, monitoring closely. The cookies should barely start to turn golden at the edges and feel dry to the touch, though they will not have much color change.
  7. Cool and Sugar Coat: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place the reserved powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll each warm cookie in the powdered sugar to coat evenly, then allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest flavor.
  • Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy beating.
  • Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should remain pale with just slight golden edges.
  • Rolling the warm cookies in powdered sugar gives them a signature meltaway texture and sweetness.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/lemon-meltaways-recipe/