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Meyer Lemon Meltaways on white plate with sunny lemon glaze

Meyer Lemon Meltaways

Meyer Lemon Meltaways are tender citrus cookies that practically dissolve with each bite and deliver a bright sunny flavor in a cute bite size form.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 32 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar divided; 1/3 cup for dough, remainder for glaze
  • 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp Meyer lemon zest finely grated
  • 2 to 3 tbsp Meyer lemon juice fresh
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour additional
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Glaze
  • 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar sifted
  • 2 to 3 tbsp Meyer lemon juice fresh, to make a thick, spoonable glaze
  • Meyer lemon zest optional, for sprinkling

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand Mixer
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

  1. Cream butter and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, then mix in Meyer lemon zest, Meyer lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth; if the mixture looks curdled, keep mixing and it will come together.
  2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture on low speed just until a soft dough forms; avoid overmixing for tenderness.
  3. Divide dough in half and roll each portion into logs about 1 1/2 inches thick; wrap and chill until firm, 1 hour in the refrigerator or 30 minutes in the freezer.
  4. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C); slice logs into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and just barely golden; aim for just set, not browned, to keep a meltaway texture.
  6. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, whisk glaze to a thick spoonable consistency, and spoon over cooled cookies; finish with optional zest.

Notes

If Meyer lemons are out of season, mix equal parts regular lemon and orange for both zest and juice to mimic the sweet floral profile; chilling keeps tidy edges and prevents spreading.