Name: Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating); Zest of 2 Meyer lemons; 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup cornstarch

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Buttery, citrusy, and literally melting in your mouth, Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe is the sunshine your cookie jar has been waiting for. With a delicate crumb that dissolves into a burst of sweet-tart flavor, these treats are the perfect marriage of lush Meyer lemons and classic shortbread. Whether you’re baking for a holiday spread or hoping to brighten up your afternoon tea, these meltaways deliver zing, aroma, and nostalgia in each bite—and once you taste them, they’re sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.

Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The charm of these cookies starts with a simple set of ingredients, each one chosen to enhance their sunny flavor and signature texture. Here’s what goes into the Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe, and why each item matters:

Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich, tender crumb.
Powdered sugar: This not only sweetens but also gives the cookies an ultra-fine, almost creamy consistency—it’s also perfect for coating the finished cookies.
Meyer lemon zest: The zest delivers pure lemon fragrance and infuses the dough with uplifting citrus oils.
Meyer lemon juice: The juice provides a gentle tartness and juicy floral flavor unique to Meyer lemons.
Vanilla extract: Just a dash brings warmth and rounds out the lemon notes beautifully.
All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure without weighing them down, resulting in a delicate shortbread.
Salt: A pinch intensifies all the bright flavors, keeping the cookies from tasting flat.
Cornstarch: Essential for that signature “meltaway” feel; it adds lightness and a powdery finish to every bite.

How to Make Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened butter and powdered sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Don’t rush this step—whip them until the mixture looks pale and wonderfully fluffy. This important foundation is what will make your cookies truly “meltaway.”

Step 2: Add the Meyer Lemon and Vanilla

Sprinkle in the vibrant zest of two Meyer lemons, add their juice, and pour in the vanilla extract. Blend everything together just until combined. You’ll notice the aroma gets instantly sunnier, and the dough becomes beautifully fragrant.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and salt together. This quick mix ensures every bite is even. Slowly add the dry ingredients to your lemony butter mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that delicate crumb.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions, then gently roll each half into logs about one and a half inches thick. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to seal in moisture and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or until fully firm. Chilling is what allows those neat, tidy slices later on.

Step 5: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut the chilled logs into quarter-inch slices and set them an inch apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes—watch for a light golden hint on the bottom, but keep the tops pale for ultimate tenderness.

Step 6: Coat in Powdered Sugar

Let the cookies cool for five minutes on their pans, then gently toss each warm cookie in powdered sugar to coat. Set them on a wire rack to cool completely. For more lemon sparkle, don’t hesitate to add extra zest or a fresh sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving.

How to Serve Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe

Garnishes

Dressing up Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe is pure fun. Dust them generously with powdered sugar for the classic look, or sprinkle with a pinch of fresh Meyer lemon zest for color and an extra citrusy pop. If you want to make them even fancier, a delicate dip in melted white chocolate adds a layer of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the lemon.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine with a cup of Earl Grey or green tea, balancing creamy richness with aromatic tannins. They’re fabulous alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or tangy lemon sorbet for dessert platters. For an afternoon treat, pair with a bowl of fresh berries or a fruit salad to highlight their floral notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe in petite cupcake papers on a bright serving platter or stack them inside a glass jar tied with ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift. At parties, try assembling a DIY “lemon cookie bar” with various toppings—like white chocolate shavings, candied lemon peel, or even edible flowers—for guests to personalize their treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll happily stay fresh for up to one week. Their texture stays lovely, and their citrus essence won’t fade—just be sure the container is truly airtight to prevent any hardening.

Freezing

If you want to plan ahead, you can freeze both the baked cookies and the raw dough. To freeze the dough, chill and slice it, then layer the rounds between sheets of parchment in a freezer container. Baked cookies can be frozen once cooled and before the final powdered sugar dusting; just let them thaw, then toss in sugar before serving.

Reheating

Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe are tenderest when enjoyed at room temperature, so simply remove them from the fridge or freezer and allow them to stand for an hour. Reheating in the oven isn’t needed, but if you like a just-baked feel, a minute or two in a toaster oven on low works well—don’t overdo it, as they are delicate.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular lemons for Meyer lemons?

Yes, you can swap in regular lemons, but Meyer lemons are sweeter and less sharp, giving these cookies their signature floral, gentle tang. If using regular lemons, consider adding a bit more sugar and using slightly less juice or zest to keep the flavor balanced and nothing too tart.

Why chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, ensuring your cookies keep their neat, round shape and don’t spread too much in the oven. It also gives the flavors time to meld, intensifying the Meyer lemon’s presence in every bite.

Can I make these vegan or gluten-free?

Absolutely! For a vegan twist, use a plant-based butter substitute. For a gluten-free version, a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour mix should work well—just be sure to check the consistency of your dough and adjust as needed, since some blends absorb more liquid than others.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe are ready as soon as their edges are set and the bottoms look lightly golden. The tops should remain pale and soft—they’ll firm up as they cool, creating that perfect meltaway texture.

What variations can I try?

Feel free to add a teaspoon of poppy seeds for a subtle crunch, or dip cooled cookies in melted white chocolate as suggested. If serving for a special occasion, sandwich two cookies together with a thin layer of lemon curd or berry jam for a delightful twist!

Final Thoughts

Baking Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe feels like bottling up pure joy, and every bite is a celebration of citrusy sunshine. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend, and experience the irresistible magic these cookies bring—one melt-in-your-mouth morsel at a time.

Meyer Lemon Meltaways: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Meyer Lemon Meltaways are a delightful citrus-infused treat that will melt in your mouth with each bite. The perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess makes them a favorite dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

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For the Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
Zest of 2 Meyer lemons
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cornstarch

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Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Lemon and Vanilla: Mix in the Meyer lemon zest, juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cornstarch.
Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape into logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Bake Cookies: Preheat oven, slice chilled dough, place on baking sheets, and bake until lightly golden.
Coat Cookies: Toss warm cookies in powdered sugar and let cool on a wire rack.
Serve: Optionally sprinkle with more lemon zest or powdered sugar before serving.