Lemon Sunshine Meltaway Cookies

Q: Can I freeze the dough for these lemon meltaway cookies?

Absolutely! Freezing cookie dough is a brilliant time-saver, a bit like batch-cooking your Sunday roast. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, and then roll, cut, and bake as directed. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time.

Lemon Sunshine Meltaways My Zesty Cookie Recipe

By Sally ThompsonSeptember 19, 2025

5.00 (2 Ratings)

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Ever find yourself needing a bit of sunshine? Honestly, these lemon meltaway cookies are like a mini vacation for your taste buds.

They've got that perfect melt-in-your mouth texture and a bright, zesty lemon kick. You know?

Bite Sized Bliss: All About Lemon Meltaway Cookies

These little beauties are inspired by classic lemon shortbread cookies , with a twist. They're a delicate, buttery citrus cookies , and they are like a warm hug from your grandma if your grandma was a Michelin star chef.

This easy cookie recipe is beginner friendly. We're talking 20 minutes prep, an hour of chilling (patience is key!), and 10- 12 minutes baking.

This batch makes about 24 cookies. Perfect for sharing or, you know, not sharing.

Why You'll Love These Little Lemon Drops

These aren’t just any powdered sugar cookies . The fresh lemon zest gives it an uplifting citrusy aroma that is totally irresistible.

They make any occasion special. It might be a sunday brunch or a tea-time treat that gives you life again.

What makes these lemon meltaway cookies special? It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and that incredible melt-in-your mouth texture that you can't stop at one.

Ready to bake these baking recipes with lemon ? Let's check out the ingredients.

Ingredients & Equipment

Ready to whip up some lemon meltaway cookies ? Honestly, these are like little bites of sunshine. They are the perfect easy cookie recipe ! Plus, they are way easier than you think.

Here's what you'll need.

Main Players

Butter: 1 cup ( 227g ), unsalted and softened. This is crucial for butter cookies ! Get the good stuff; it makes a difference.
Sugar: ½ cup ( 100g ) of granulated sugar.
Lemon Juice: ¼ cup ( 60ml ), freshly squeezed. Skip the bottled stuff if you can. Fresh citrus cookies are the best!
Lemon Zest: 2 tablespoons, finely grated. About 2 lemons should do it. Hello, lemon zest cookies !
Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5ml ).
Flour: 2 ¼ cups ( 281g ) all-purpose flour.

Sweet Coating

Powdered Sugar: 1 cup ( 120g ). This gives our powdered sugar cookies that perfect finish.

I remember one time, I tried using margarine instead of butter to make these. Never again! It totally changed the texture.

Seasoning Secrets

For these lemon meltaway cookies , lemon is the star. But a tiny pinch of salt helps bring out the sweetness.

You could totally add a hint of vanilla extract for extra depth. Or try a pinch of cardamom for a warmer flavor.

Get creative with your meltaway cookie variations ! You can also find more lemon dessert recipes to improve your baking recipes with lemon skills.

Gear Up!

Mixer: Stand mixer or hand mixer. Either works.
Big Bowl: For mixing all the good stuff.
Measuring Tools: Cups and spoons are a must.
Baking Sheets: Line with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Rolling Pin: To roll out that dough.
Cookie Cutters: Optional, but fun!
Zester: Or microplane. Get ready to zest!

No fancy zester? A cheese grater works in a pinch. Just be careful not to grate the white pith, or the cookies will be bitter.

And no worries if you don't have cookie cutters; a knife works fine for cutting squares or triangles. Let's create the best lemon shortbread cookies with this shortbread cookie recipe !

Baking Up Sunshine: Lemon Meltaway Cookies

Alright, let's get cracking on these lemon meltaway cookies ! Think sunshine, melt-in-your mouth goodness, and a hint of cheeky British charm.

Honestly, these are like a ray of sunshine in cookie form. We're aiming for that perfect crumbly texture and a bright, zesty lemon flavour.

Trust me, everyone will be begging for more! If you liked the sound of this, there is many meltaway cookie variations

Prep Like a Pro

Before we even think about turning on the oven, let's get our act together. This is all about that mise en place , people! Soften your 227g of unsalted butter.

Zest those lemons about 2 should do the trick. Squeeze out 60ml of fresh lemon juice, no dodgy bottled stuff if you can help it.

Measure out all your ingredients. Organization is key, trust me. A tidy kitchen equals a tidy mind, and better lemon shortbread cookies ! Seriously, take your time! Rushing is the enemy of good baking.

And a quick safety note: Watch those fingers when you're zesting! Nobody wants a lemon flavoured knuckle.

Bake Like a Boss: step-by-step

Okay, oven's on! Let's do this.

Cream 227g softened butter and 100g granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in 60ml fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lemon zest , and 1.5ml salt.
Gradually add 281g all-purpose flour. Mix on low. Don't overmix!
Wrap the dough and chill for at least 1 hour . This is crucial .
Preheat your oven to 175° C ( 350° F) .
Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes.
Bake for 10- 12 minutes . Edges should be lightly golden.
Cool completely, then dust generously with 120g powdered sugar .

Pro Baker Secrets

Here's the tea: Don't overmix! Overmixing makes tough cookies. Chill time is your friend. It stops them from spreading. My Nan used to say, "Patience, love, patience!" I know its hard to do but its also the reason for the final result that will take you to your childhood memories.

Also, soft butter, not melted butter. It creams better. And if you want easy cookie recipe , try chilling the dough overnight! The flavour develops even more.

If you're after other baking recipes with lemon you may find that this technique it's the one you need.

One thing I've learned the hard way: These cookies are fragile when warm. Handle them with love. Seriously, they're like delicate little butter cookies that need to be cherished.

You can swap ingredients and make citrus cookies .

Honestly, these cookies are a winner. Whip up a batch, and get ready for the compliments to roll in! These lemon meltaway cookies are not just lemon dessert recipes ; they're little bites of happiness, especially a freshly baked batch of this shortbread cookie recipe .

Enjoy!.

Recipe Notes for Your Lemon Meltaway Cookies

These little gems are more than just lemon shortbread cookies ; they're a taste of sunshine. Honestly, baking them fills the kitchen with the most amazing citrus cookies aroma.

Before you dive in, let's chat about some important bits and bobs to ensure your baking sesh goes smoothly.

How to Serve Your Lemon Goodness

Got your cookies? Awesome! But what's next? These lemon zest cookies are fab on their own, obviously. Picture this: a delicate stack, dusted with snowy powdered sugar cookies , looking all elegant on a pretty plate.

Fancy, right?

But don't stop there! Serve them with a classic cuppa Earl Grey, perhaps? Or alongside a scoop of lemon sorbet for a double dose of citrus.

A simple elderflower cordial is also a lovely, light pairing.

Storing Your Butter Cookies for Maximum Freshness

Right, so you’ve baked a batch of these easy cookie recipe delights, but, somehow, you've managed to not eat them all at once. Impressive! Here's how to keep them yummy.

For short term storage, pop them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration is your friend.

They'll last up to a week in the fridge.

Freezing? Yep, you can freeze them! Place the completely cooled lemon meltaway cookies in a freezer safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating is simple. You can just enjoy them cold from the fridge, or pop one in the microwave for a few seconds for that fresh out-of-the-oven feel!

Meltaway Cookie Magic: Fun Variations

Want to mix things up a bit? You got it!

Feeling adventurous? Swap out the lemon for lime or orange. Instant meltaway cookie variations ! You can also experiment with different extracts, like almond or vanilla, for a unique twist.

For a gluten-free version, use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for that perfect crumb.

Nutritional Nitty Gritty

Okay, so these are cookies, not a health food. But hey, knowing what you're eating is always good. As a lemon dessert recipes , these cookies are mainly carbs and fats.

Each one is roughly 100-120 calories. Remember this is an estimate , so please do your research if you have a health condition!

On the plus side, the baking recipes with lemon do contain a touch of vitamin C from the lemon. Think of that vitamin C as a bit of sunshine in every bite!

So there you have it! All the extra bits to ensure these lemon meltaway cookies become your go-to treat. Give them a go and let me know how you get on.

Happy baking! If you love the sound of this, be sure to check out this shortbread cookie recipe for the classic taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my lemon meltaway cookies spreading too much in the oven?

Cookie spreading is a common baking woe! The most likely culprit is the butter being too warm. Make sure your butter is properly softened, not melted, before creaming it with the sugar. Also, chilling the dough for the full hour (or even a bit longer) is absolutely crucial to prevent excessive spreading.

If you're still having trouble, try adding a tablespoon or two of flour to the dough.

Can I freeze the dough for these lemon meltaway cookies?

Absolutely! Freezing cookie dough is a brilliant time saver, a bit like batch cooking your Sunday roast. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 2-3 months.

When you're ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, and then roll, cut, and bake as directed. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time.

My lemon meltaway cookies are too crumbly what did I do wrong?

A crumbly cookie usually means there's not enough moisture to bind the ingredients, a bit like a dry scone. The most common reason is using too much flour, so make sure you're measuring accurately (spooning and leveling is best!).

Another possible cause is over baking; watch them closely and take them out of the oven as soon as the edges are just starting to turn golden.

How should I store these Lemon Sunshine Meltaway Cookies?

To keep your Lemon Sunshine Meltaway Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay delightful for up to 5 days, although they are unlikely to last that long! For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Just let them thaw completely before enjoying.

Can I use a different citrus fruit instead of lemon in these meltaway cookies?

Certainly! Feel free to experiment and use lime or orange. For lime meltaway cookies, simply substitute lime juice and zest for the lemon. Orange zest and juice is also a delicious alternative, and a touch of cardamom would be lovely too! These variations are a great way to put your own spin on this classic recipe.

Are there any tips for making these lemon meltaway cookies healthier?

While these cookies are a treat, you can make small tweaks to lighten them up a bit. Substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lower fat option (though it may affect the texture slightly).

You could also try using a sugar substitute like stevia, but be aware that this can also alter the taste and texture. Remember, moderation is key, even with delicious lemon meltaway cookies!