Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1¼ cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch (50 grams total)
  • zest & juice of one lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/2-1 tablespoon zest)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¾ cup +2 tablespoons butter (softened)* (185 grams total)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (strained)
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 zest lemon

Instructions

Cookies

  1. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, zest and salt.
  2. In a large bowl, beat on medium speed the butter and sugar until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Then add half the flour and the lemon juice beat to combine. Then add the remaining flour and with a wooden spoon or spatula combine to form a dough (the dough will be a little sticky, if the dough is too sticky then add 1-2 tablespoons of flour).
  3. Transfer the dough to a large piece of parchment paper and roll the dough into a log approximately 1 1/2 inches (4cm) wide. Wrap the dough in the parchment paper and refrigerate for one hour.
  4. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut into 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) slices. Place the slices on a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  5. Pre-heat oven to 320F (160C).
  6. Bake the cookies for 5 minutes, then raise the oven temperature to 350F (180C) and continue to bake for 9-10 minutes. The should be light gold in colour. Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies can be either dusted with powdered sugar or spread with a lemon glaze. Enjoy!

Glaze

  1. In a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice, powdered sugar and zest until smooth.

Notes

  • To keep cookies from spreading it helps to chill the dough before baking and the percentage of protein in the flour is a major culprit of flat cookies. I would advise that your flour has a percentage of at least 11% or even higher if possible.
  • If the cookies are unglazed then they should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they will last up to 5-6 days. If glazed then they should keep stored in an airtight container, in a single layer for about 3-4 days.
  • If your home is warm then I would advise refrigerating in an airtight container. If the cookies are refrigerated they will last up to 7 days.
  • You can always freeze them in either a freezer bag or an airtight container, they will keep for up to 4 weeks.
  • The unbaked cookie dough will last 2-3 days in the fridge and two months in the freezer. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and place in an air tight bag.

Source: Italian Lemon Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen