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Italian Lemon Cookies

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Italian Lemon Cookies for Sweet Moments

Enjoy these Italian Lemon Cookies, a delightful treat that combines refreshing lemon flavor with a buttery texture.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 100

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Use flour with at least 11% protein content for a sturdy structure.
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch Helps create a tender, crumbly texture; swap with arrowroot powder if needed.
  • 1 each lemon (juice and zest) Freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated yellow skin are essential for flavor.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances overall flavor; increase to 1/4 teaspoon if using unsalted butter.
  • 1 cup butter (softened) Opt for high-quality butter to enrich flavor and improve texture.
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar Critical for sweetness in both the cookie dough and glaze.
For the Lemon Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar Helps achieve the perfect consistency for a sweet, smooth glaze.
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (strained) Offers a tangy kick to balance sweetness; use from the same lemons.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • hand mixer
  • spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, zest of one lemon, and salt until evenly combined.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar together using a hand mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Slowly add half of the dry mixture to the butter, followed by lemon juice. Mix on low speed until well incorporated. Gradually add the remaining dry ingredients with a spatula, folding gently until a cohesive dough forms.
  4. Transfer the dough onto parchment paper. Roll it into a log about 1.5 inches wide, wrap tightly and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  5. Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Slice the chilled dough into 1/2 inch thick rounds, placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart.
  6. Increase your oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and bake cookies for 5 minutes. Then, keep watching as you bake for an additional 9-10 minutes, until edges turn light golden.
  7. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-6 days. For longer storage, freeze glazed cookies for up to 4 weeks.

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