If you adore cookies that simply melt in your mouth with a burst of sunny citrus flavor, then you’re in for a treat! Meyer Lemon Meltaways are everything you wish for in a dainty, tender cookie — they’re buttery, delicately sweet, and kissed with the fragrant zest and juice of Meyer lemons, which are prized for their uniquely bright yet gentle tang. Whether you serve them with afternoon tea or as an elegant finish to a dinner party, these cookies have a way of charming everyone who tries them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple, classic ingredients, Meyer Lemon Meltaways come together with surprisingly little fuss. Each item plays a starring role — from the richness of the butter to the floral notes of the Meyer lemon zest, you’ll taste the love in each bite.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates that dreamy, tender crumb and defined flavor profile.
- Powdered sugar: This ultra-fine sugar blends seamlessly into both the dough and the final coating, lending a sweet, delicate finish.
- Meyer lemon zest: The zest holds essential oils and bold, aromatic citrus flavor—use a microplane for the best texture.
- Meyer lemon juice: Adds a fresh, juicy tang without overwhelming tartness, making these cookies truly sing.
- Vanilla extract: Essential for warmth and depth, vanilla cozies up to the lemon for amazing balance.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure while keeping them buttery-soft and light.
- Salt: Just a pinch perfectly sharpens all the flavors so each bite pops.
- Powdered sugar for coating: This final dusting of sugar makes the cookies beautiful and extra melt-in-your-mouth tender.
How to Make Meyer Lemon Meltaways
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and half a cup of powdered sugar. This step is your foundation for a soft, airy cookie, so beat until the mixture is truly light and fluffy. Incorporating plenty of air now results in melt-in-your-mouth Meyer Lemon Meltaways later!
Step 2: Add Lemon and Vanilla
Fold in the vibrant Meyer lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a splash of vanilla extract. When you stir this fragrant trio into the creamed mixture, the kitchen is instantly filled with a dreamy, sunny aroma. This is the moment you realize these cookies are going to be extra special.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisking not only evenly distributes the salt but also helps to aerate the flour, resulting in cookies that are soft but not heavy.
Step 4: Mix Dry into Wet
Gently add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in batches. Mix just until combined—over-mixing is the enemy of tender Meyer Lemon Meltaways! The dough will be slightly soft, but that’s exactly how you want it.
Step 5: Shape and Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and roll each into a log about 1 and a half inches in diameter. Wrap those logs in plastic wrap and send them to the fridge to chill for at least one hour. This step is vital: chilling keeps the cookies from spreading in the oven and allows the flavors to truly develop.
Step 6: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Once the dough is firm, slice each log into quarter-inch thick rounds and space them out an inch apart. After 12 to 14 minutes of baking, the edges should just begin to turn golden.
Step 7: Coat in Powdered Sugar
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then give each one a gentle toss in powdered sugar while they’re still warm. This step not only adds a sparkling finish, but ensures the sugar clings perfectly, creating the classic “meltaway” texture Meyer Lemon Meltaways are known for.
How to Serve Meyer Lemon Meltaways
Garnishes
For an extra pretty presentation, sprinkle a touch more Meyer lemon zest over the sugar-dusted cookies, or garnish your serving plate with fresh lemon twists or edible flowers. The pop of color signals just how fresh and vibrant Meyer Lemon Meltaways truly are!
Side Dishes
Pair your Meyer Lemon Meltaways with a cup of delicate white or green tea, a creamy Earl Grey latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A fruit salad featuring berries or juicy orange segments also complements the cookies’ gentle citrus punch.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a beautiful glass jar tied with ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift, or arrange them in mini cupcake liners on a tiered tray for a baby shower or brunch. For a fun twist, try sandwiching a thin layer of lemon or berry curd between two Meyer Lemon Meltaways for your own “cookie sandwich” delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Meyer Lemon Meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Their soft texture stays best when you keep them away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Freezing
You can freeze Meyer Lemon Meltaways before or after baking. For unbaked dough, freeze the wrapped logs, then thaw slightly and slice before baking. Baked cookies freeze beautifully in a zip-top bag—let them come to room temperature before serving, and if desired, toss them in powdered sugar once more for freshness.
Reheating
If you’d like to gently warm your cookies for that just-baked taste, let them sit out for about 30 minutes, then heat in a 275°F oven for 2–3 minutes. Don’t microwave, as this can make them lose their signature delicate texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular lemons instead of Meyer lemons?
While you certainly can use regular lemons in a pinch, the flavor will be noticeably more tart and less floral. Meyer Lemon Meltaways are special because of the sweet, fragrant notes Meyer lemons provide.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling solidifies the butter and helps the dough firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much and ensures that perfect meltaway texture.
Can I add extra lemon flavor?
Absolutely! If you love your cookies extra zesty, feel free to add a few drops of lemon extract to the dough, or scatter additional zest on top before serving.
How do I get perfectly round cookies?
Take care when shaping your dough logs—roll them tightly and evenly, and don’t forget to occasionally press in the ends for a smooth shape. If needed, you can gently reshape each slice just before baking.
Do Meyer Lemon Meltaways ship well?
Yes! Because they’re firmer and not frosted, Meyer Lemon Meltaways hold up beautifully when packed between sheets of parchment paper in a sturdy tin for gifting or mailing.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you bite into one of these Meyer Lemon Meltaways, you’ll understand why they’re such a treasured favorite. They’re a little bit of sunshine in cookie form—bursting with bright flavor and irresistible tenderness. I hope you give them a try and share the joy with everyone you love!
Print
Meyer Lemon Meltaways Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Meyer Lemon Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies with a refreshing citrus flavor that literally melt in your mouth. Perfect for any occasion, these easy-to-make cookies are a delightful treat for lemon lovers.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Coating:
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in Lemon and Vanilla: Add Meyer lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Shape and Chill: Divide the dough, shape into logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat and Slice: Preheat oven, slice chilled dough, and place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are golden.
- Coat Cookies: Toss warm cookies in powdered sugar and cool before storing.
Notes
- These cookies can be made ahead and frozen before baking.
- Meyer lemons are recommended for their sweetness.
- For extra lemon flavor, consider adding lemon extract to the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
