Few cookies live up to their name quite like Zesty Lemon Meltaway Cookies. Delicate, buttery, and feather-soft, these cookies quite literally melt the moment they touch your tongue. Bright lemon zest and juice cut through the richness, while a light lemon glaze adds just the right balance of sweetness and tang.
These cookies are elegant yet simple, perfect for holidays, tea time, spring gatherings, or anytime you crave a refreshing citrus dessert. If you love cookies that are not overly sweet, with a smooth, tender crumb and a fresh lemon aroma, this recipe deserves a permanent place in your baking collection.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make the best lemon meltaway cookies, plus expert tips, variations, storage advice, and baking secrets to ensure perfect results every time.
Why You’ll Love These Lemon Meltaway Cookies
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🍋 Bright, zesty lemon flavor without bitterness
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🧈 Ultra-buttery and tender texture
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❄️ Soft, pale cookies that truly melt in your mouth
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🎁 Perfect for gifting, holidays, and cookie platters
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👩🍳 Beginner-friendly with bakery-quality results
Unlike crisp lemon cookies or chewy lemon crinkles, meltaways are intentionally soft and delicate. These cookies are all about texture and balance.
What Are Meltaway Cookies?
Meltaway cookies are a classic style of cookie known for:
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Minimal structure
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High butter content
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Use of powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar
This combination prevents gluten development and creates that signature smooth, dissolving bite. Lemon simply elevates them to another level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Lemon Cookies
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1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup powdered sugar
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1¾ cups all-purpose flour
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¼ cup cornstarch
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Glaze
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¾ cup powdered sugar
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1½–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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