Meyer Lemon Meltaways Recipe
Meyer Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies infused with bright Meyer lemon zest and juice, creating a tender texture that melts in your mouth. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar, these meltaways offer a perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors, ideal for a refreshing treat or elegant dessert.
- Author: Natalie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest
- 1/4 cup Meyer lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch (for extra meltiness)
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 2/3 cup powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Meyer Lemon: Mix in the Meyer lemon zest and juice thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the citrus flavor evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until combined to form a soft dough.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up for easy slicing.
- Slice and Prepare for Baking: Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on a lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still tender inside.
- Cool and Dust: Remove from the oven and let cookies cool for a few minutes. While still warm, dust generously with powdered sugar to give them a sweet, snowy finish.
Notes
- For extra meltiness, the cornstarch in the dough helps create a delicate texture.
- Be sure not to overbake to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Chilling the dough log is important for clean slices and uniform shapes.
- Use Meyer lemons if possible for their unique floral and sweet citrus flavor, though regular lemons can be substituted.
Keywords: Meyer lemon meltaways, lemon cookies, meltaway cookies, buttery lemon cookies, citrus cookies, soft lemon cookie recipe