Soft lemon cookies

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Yields: Approximately 24 cookies

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (about 2-3 lemons)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

Instructions:

Prepare the Cookies:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients:
   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, fresh lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix the Dough:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft and smooth cookie dough forms.
6. Chill the Dough:
   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and enhances the flavor.
7. Shape Cookies:
   • Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.
8. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake for a chewy texture.
9. Cool:
   • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Glaze:

10. Whisk Glaze Ingredients:
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and fresh lemon zest until smooth.
11. Glaze the Cookies:
    • Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top of each cookie using a spoon or piping bag.
12. Let the Glaze Set:
    • Allow the glaze to set before serving or storing the cookies.
13. Serve and Enjoy:
    • Serve these soft lemon cookies with a refreshing burst of citrus flavor. Enjoy with a cup of tea or as a delightful dessert!

Note: For an extra lemony kick, you can add a bit more lemon zest to the cookie dough or the glaze. Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less powdered sugar based on your preference.