Just as the name suggests, these lemon meltaway cookies will melt in your mouth. Featuring a buttery lemon cookie and a tart lemon frosting, these are a refreshing cookie to serve in the warmer months, or an unexpected cookie to serve along with other holiday treats. Although they do require a bit of prep, they’re quite easy to make and can be ready to eat within a few hours.
Ingredients for Lemon Meltaway Cookies
- Butter: Soften your butter prior to using for best results.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This powdery sugar is key to achieving the soft consistency of these cookies.
- Lemon juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice for an added boost in lemon flavor.
- All-purpose flour:Â Feel free to sub 1:1 gluten free flour if needed.
- Cornstarch:Â This key ingredient works to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Lemon zest:Â Use the lemon from the above lemon juice to grate fresh lemon zest.
- Yellow food coloring: Although this just requires up to 3 drops of food coloring, feel free to skip it if you’d prefer.
Directions
Step 1: Mix wet batter, chill
This is the longest step of the baking process, but the most hands-off. To start, in a large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar until well blended. Beat in lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch, and then gradually beat this into the butter mixture. Divide dough in half, shaping each into an 8-inch long roll. Wrap individually in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
Step 2: Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Unwrap rolls and cut dough crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until firm. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 3: Frost
To make frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in lemon zest, lemon juice and food coloring, if desired. Spread over cool cookies.
Recipe Variations
- Add sprinkles: For extra garnish, add rainbow or yellow sprinkles on top of frosting.
- Sub powdered sugar: If you’d like a lighter cookie, consider dropping each cookie in powdered sugar instead of topping with frosting.
How to Store Lemon Meltaways
Store cookies in a cookie jar or airtight container on the counter, or in the fridge in plastic wrap or other airtight container.
How long do lemon meltaways last?
At room temperature, these cookies will last up to 3 days. If stored in the fridge, up to 5 days.
Lemon Meltaway Cookie Tips
Can I make lemon meltaways vegan?
These cookies are quite simple to make vegan. Simply sub the butter for your favorite vegan baking butter, and continue the recipe as called for.
Can these be made gluten free?
Yes! Lemon meltaways can be made gluten free. Just sub out the flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten free flour mix.
What should I serve with lemon meltaways?
Serve these bright lemon cookies with other citrus flavored treats, such as creamy orange gelatin, lemon cookies or alongside lemon ice cream.
