Description
Zesty citrus lemon cookies bring sunshine to classic dessert tables with delightful Mediterranean flair. Crisp edges and tangy centers invite bakers to savor sweet-tart perfection in each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Flour and Leavening Agents:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Flavoring and Filling Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal cookie performance.
- Construct the dry ingredient foundation by meticulously combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, creating a uniform powder mixture.
- Transform butter and sugar into a light, fluffy emulsion through vigorous beating, developing a smooth, aerated base for the cookie dough.
- Integrate egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice into the butter mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and developing complex citrus undertones.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, utilizing minimal stirring to maintain the dough’s delicate texture and prevent potential toughness.
- Craft a luxurious cream cheese filling by blending softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until achieving a silky, consistent composition.
- Construct individual cookies by flattening dough portions, nestling a precise dollop of cream cheese filling at the center, then carefully encasing the filling by folding and rolling into uniform spheres.
- Arrange cookie spheres on prepared baking sheet, maintaining strategic spacing, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges exhibit a delicate golden hue, signaling perfect doneness.
Notes
- Softening Butter Matters Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing, which creates a tender cookie texture.
- Zest Technique Use a microplane or fine grater to extract maximum lemon flavor without bitter white pith.
- Chilling Dough Option Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg