Melt-in-Your-Mouth Lemon Meltaways Recipe

Welcome to the world of classic Lemon Meltaways! These delightful cookies live up to their name, offering an incredibly tender, buttery texture that truly melts in your mouth. Each bite bursts with a bright, zesty lemon flavor, perfectly balanced by a sweet, tangy glaze. Our simple slice-and-bake method makes them incredibly easy for any baker to master.

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Meltaways

• These lemon meltaways are effortlessly easy to make, perfect for beginners.
• They are ideal for make-ahead baking; prepare the dough whenever suits you best.
• Enjoy a bright, refreshing citrus flavor that’s never too overpowering.
• These elegant yet simple treats are sure to impress without much effort.
• Their versatility makes them perfect for any occasion, from casual snacks to fancy dessert platters.

Ingredients

Gather your ingredients to create these delightful Lemon Meltaways. The combination of simple pantry staples yields a truly exceptional cookie.

For the Cookies:

• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/3 c. powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. lemon zest
• 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp. lemon zest
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Notes & Substitutions

Adding cornstarch to cookie dough is a great way to achieve a delicate crumb, as it helps tenderize the dough by reducing gluten development, as explained by Food Republic. Learn more about how cornstarch affects cookie texture. Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature for the best creaming results and a perfectly smooth dough. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add an extra pinch of salt to the dry ingredients. Feel free to experiment with other citrus zest and juice, like lime or orange, for a unique twist. For the glaze, use fresh, fine powdered sugar for the smoothest, lump-free consistency.

Equipment

Having the right tools makes baking your Lemon Meltaways a breeze.

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment
• Large mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Small bowl (for glaze)

Instructions

Follow these clear, step-by-step instructions to create perfect Lemon Meltaways. You’ll be amazed at how simple they are to bake.

1. Whisk dry cookie ingredients together: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk them together until thoroughly mixed, then set this dry mixture aside.
2. Combine powdered sugar and lemon zest: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Mix on low speed for about 1 minute. You’ll notice the sugar start to clump as the lemon zest releases its aromatic oils.
3. Cream butter, then add vanilla extract: According to Sally’s Baking Addiction, using room temperature butter is crucial for proper creaming with sugar, which incorporates air and creates a lighter, fluffier texture in baked goods. Understand the importance of room temperature butter in baking. Add the room temperature butter to the sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, usually 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then beat in the vanilla extract until just combined.
4. Slowly mix dry into wet ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the whisked flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined, about 1 minute. Give a final stir with your spatula to ensure no traces of flour remain. Avoid overmixing the cookie dough.
5. Form dough into a log: Transfer the soft cookie dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Roll the dough into a log approximately 1 1/4 inch in diameter. This helps create uniform slice-and-bake cookies.
6. Chill dough until firm: Wrap the dough log tightly in the plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate the log until it is cold and firm, which takes at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. This chilling step is crucial for shape.
7. Preheat oven, line baking sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
8. Slice chilled dough into rounds: Unwrap the firm dough log. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the log into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
9. Arrange cookies on baking sheets: Place the cut rounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. These Lemon Meltaways do not spread much during baking, so they can be placed fairly close.
10. Bake until edges are barely golden: Bake the cookies, rotating the pans halfway through, for 11 to 13 minutes. They are done when they are set and the bottoms are barely golden.
11. Cool cookies completely on rack: Carefully transfer the baked cookies to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before applying the glaze; this prevents the glaze from melting.
12. Whisk glaze ingredients to consistency: While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
13. Spread glaze evenly on cooled cookies: Add more lemon juice, a little at a time, until the glaze reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Spoon a small amount of glaze onto each cooled cookie and use the back of the spoon to spread it evenly over the top.
14. Allow glaze to set before serving: Let the glaze set on the cookies for about 1 hour before serving your delicious Lemon Meltaways. This allows the glaze to harden and prevents stickiness.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture for your Lemon Meltaways is simple with these tips.

• Don’t overmix cookie dough: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cookies tough instead of tender. Mix until just combined.
• Properly chill dough for shape: Insufficient chilling can lead to spreading. A firm, cold dough ensures your cookies hold their perfect round shape.
• Avoid overbaking for melt-in-mouth texture: Watch the cookies carefully. Pull them from the oven when edges are just set and barely golden for that signature tender crumb.
• Zest lemons before juicing: This makes it much easier to get all the fragrant zest from your lemons.
• Adjust glaze consistency with more juice/sugar: If the glaze is too thick, add a few drops more lemon juice. If it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it’s just right.
• Ensure cookies are fully cooled before glazing: Glazing warm cookies will cause the glaze to melt and run off, rather than set properly.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

These versatile Lemon Meltaways are perfect for many occasions and store beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these zesty lemon cookies alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee for an afternoon treat.
• Arrange them on a dessert platter; their bright color and delicate size make them a charming addition.
• They are an ideal candidate for holiday cookie exchanges or homemade gifts due to their delightful flavor and elegant appearance.

Storage Instructions

• Store baked, glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Unglazed, baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Glaze them after thawing.
• Freeze the raw dough log, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.

Variations

• For a different look, roll the baked (and cooled) lemon meltaways in powdered sugar, like snowball cookies, instead of glazing.
• Introduce different citrus zests or extracts, such as almond or orange, for a unique flavor profile.
• Drizzle with melted white chocolate for an extra layer of sweetness and elegance.
• Decorate with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets for festive holiday cookies.

Nutrition

Enjoy these delightful Lemon Meltaways as a wonderful treat. While precise nutritional values can vary slightly based on ingredients and portion sizes, these estimates offer a general guide. Remember, these are a delicious indulgence!

FAQ

Conclusion

There’s truly something irresistible about these simple Lemon Meltaways. Their tender texture, bright citrus flavor, and ease of preparation make them an instant favorite for any baker. We encourage you to bake a batch today and share the joy of these perfectly zesty, melt-in-your-mouth treats with your loved ones!

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Lemon Meltaways Recipe

These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Lemon Meltaways are delightful, tender cookies with a bright lemon flavor. They feature a crumbly, buttery shortbread base topped with a zesty lemon glaze, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Medium bowl
• Whisk
• Stand mixer
• paddle attachment
• Rubber spatula
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Small bowl
• spoon

Ingredients

  

For the cookies

• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/3 c. powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. lemon zest
• 3/4 c. salted butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the glaze

• 1 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp. lemon zest
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. lemon juice

Instructions

 

For the cookies

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt; then set aside.
• In a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar and lemon zest, then add butter and beat until light and fluffy; scrape the bowl, beat in vanilla, and slowly add the flour mixture until just combined.
• Transfer the dough to plastic wrap, roll into a 1 1/4-inch diameter log, and refrigerate until firm for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Unwrap the dough log, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake cookies for 11 to 13 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until set and lightly golden on the bottom; then cool completely on a rack.

For the glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, adding more juice until the glaze reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Spoon a small amount of glaze onto each cooled cookie, spreading it evenly over the top, and allow the glaze to set for about 1 hour before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure butter is at room temperature for a light and fluffy cookie dough. Chilling the dough thoroughly is crucial for easy slicing and maintaining cookie shape during baking. You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours.