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.
Servings 36cookies
Prep Time 20 minutesmins
Cook Time 12 minutesmins
Chill Time 1 hourhr
Total Time 1 hourhr32 minutesmins
Equipment
Mixing bowl
Hand Mixer
Baking Sheet
Parchment paper
Wire Rack
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
3/4cupunsalted buttersoftened
3/4cupconfectioners' sugardivided; 1/3 cup for dough, remainder for glaze
1to 1 1/2 tbspMeyer lemon zestfinely grated
2to 3 tbspMeyer lemon juicefresh
1 3/4cupsall-purpose flour
2tbspcornstarch
2tbspall-purpose flouradditional
1/4tspfine salt
1tsppure vanilla extract
Glaze
1 1/2to 1 3/4 cupsconfectioners' sugarsifted
2to 3 tbspMeyer lemon juicefresh, to make a thick, spoonable glaze
Meyer lemon zestoptional, for sprinkling
Instructions
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.
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.
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.
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C); slice logs into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and just barely golden; aim for just set, not browned, to keep a meltaway texture.
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.