On a chilly winter evening, nothing warms the heart and home quite like a batch of lemon snowflake cookies. These chewy, lemony delights, coated in powdered sugar, have become a staple in our household, especially during the holiday season. My husband proclaims them his favorite cookie, a sentiment echoed by the entire family. The fresh lemon zest and juice infused in every bite offer a burst of sunshine, a perfect remedy for the winter blues. This recipe, a gem discovered in an America’s Test Kitchen magazine from 2014, was lovingly adapted by my mother-in-law. It’s fascinating how these cookies, with their distinctive cracks on the top, resemble beautiful snowflakes, making them not just a treat but a visual delight.
I remember preparing an assortment of cookies for a gathering of friends one evening, aiming to introduce a different flavor alongside the double chocolate cookies and chocolate chip shortbread. The lemon cookies were intended as the perfect compliment to the existing selection. However, their popularity was so fast and overwhelming that I was afraid I’d have none left for the event. It’s no surprise that among an array of choices, these cookies were the star, praised by guests and family members alike. Their unique taste and texture make them stand out, not just as another sweet treat, but as a memorable favorite.
There’s a special joy in sharing these lemon crinkle cookies with others. Whether it’s a thoughtful gift for a neighbor or a tasty addition to a party spread, these cookies are always met with raving reviews. The testers of my baking adventures often have comments or suggestions on how to make my creations better, but with these cookies, the feedback is unanimously positive. They’re not only a personal favorite but have also become a beloved treat among friends and family. Their sturdy yet chewy texture makes them ideal for shipping, even to those in warmer climates, though one might consider the powdered sugar melting into the cookies as a factor. Yet, it’s this snowflake-like dusting that makes them so appealing, both in taste and appearance.
Why You’ll Love this Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Each bite of a lemon crinkle cookie is chewy and delicious!
- Lemon is a nice change up from chocolate and gives you fresh summer vibes!
- They look beautiful and each one is unique – that’s why I like to call them snowflakes.
Lemon Crinkle Cookie Ingredients
Diving into the world of Lemon Snowflake Cookies, one quickly realizes the magic behind these delightful treats lies within their ingredients. The zest and juice of lemons bring forth an unbeatable freshness, a secret tip for extracting the most juice being to gently warm them before squeezing. This citrusy essence forms the soul of these cookies, blending harmoniously with the butter and oil to create a buttery taste and a perfect chewy texture that one simply cannot resist.
To coat these cookies, powdered sugar plays a crucial role, ensuring each cookie is generously rolled into sweet clouds of sugar before baking. This process not only adds to their distinct snowflake appearance but also contributes to the overall flavor profile, creating a delicate balance between tart and sweet.
In addition to the citrus and sweetness, pantry staples such as flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, and vanilla come together to form the base of the cookie dough. These ingredients are the foundation that allows the lemon flavor to shine through, ensuring every bite is as delightful as the last.
The process of making these cookies involves more than just mixing ingredients. It’s an art of balancing flavors and textures to achieve a cookie that’s not only visually appealing but also irresistibly tasty. From the moment the dough is formed into balls and each piece is coated in sugar, to the final steps of baking, every stage is crucial in creating the perfect Lemon Snowflake Cookie.
This journey through the creation of Lemon Snowflake Cookies showcases not only the simplicity and beauty of baking but also the joy of crafting something truly special from basic ingredients. Each cookie, with its unique zest and buttery taste, promises to be a memorable treat, encapsulating the essence of winter in every bite.
How To Make Lemon Snowflake Cookies
Preparing the Dough
Begin by placing sugar and lemon zest into the bowl of a stand mixer. Turn the mixer on to combine these ingredients until they are well combined, releasing the essential oils from the zest to infuse the sugar with lemon flavor. Next, add the wet ingredients to the mixture. Mix these until the texture becomes pale and thickened, ensuring that the flavors meld perfectly together.
Adding Dry Ingredients
To the pale, thickened mixture, incorporate flour, baking powder, and salt. Carefully stir the mixture to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients without overmixing, as this could affect the texture of the cookies. Once mixed, refrigerate the dough for at least an hour. This chilling process is crucial for the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle in the next steps.
Shaping the Cookies
After refrigeration, use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to form balls of dough. This size ensures each cookie bakes evenly and maintains a uniform shape. Proceed to dip each ball into powdered sugar, completely covering the surface. This step is not just for aesthetics; the sugar layer contributes to the characteristic crinkle look and adds a sweet, delicate crust to the cookies.
Baking to Perfection
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto a baking sheet, ensuring there is ample space between them to allow for spreading. Bake in a preheated oven until the cookies have spread out and exhibit the signature crinkles on top. The powdered sugar creates a beautiful contrast against the golden cookie, highlighting the intricate patterns that make these cookies so visually appealing.
Final Touches
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting period lets the cookies set, ensuring they maintain their shape and texture. As they cool, the powdered sugar slightly melds into the dough, solidifying the covering and completing the transformation into the perfect Lemon Snowflake Cookies.
How To Store Lemon Snowflakes
Ensuring your Lemon snowflakes maintain their delightful texture and appearance requires proper storage techniques. Firstly, to protect the delicate powdered sugar on top, it’s advisable to layer them with parchment paper. This step prevents the cookies from sticking to each other and helps maintain their beautiful snowflake design. After arranging the cookies in layers, place them in an airtight container. This container should then be stored in the freezer, where the cold environment will preserve their freshness and flavor. The freezer is not just a storage space but a preservation chamber that ensures each cookie remains as perfect as the moment it was baked.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy these exquisite cookies at their best, any time you desire. Whether you’re placing them in layers for a gathering or storing them for a quiet evening at home, the key is to ensure they remain protected and freeze them in a way that retains their unique qualities. This method not only extends the shelf life of your Lemon snowflakes but also keeps that burst of lemony goodness intact for whenever the craving strikes.
Can This Lemon Crinkle Cookie Recipe Be Shipped?
Absolutely, Lemon crinkle cookies can indeed be shipped across distances without losing their integrity. Thanks to their sturdy nature, these cookies can withstand being jostled around during transit, ensuring they arrive in the same delightful condition as when they were first baked. However, one crucial consideration is the climate to which you are sending these treats. In a very hot climate, there’s a risk that the powdered sugar could melt into the cookies, altering their iconic snow-dusted appearance.
When planning to ship these lemon delights, it’s wise to pack them carefully, perhaps with parchment paper between each cookie to prevent them from sticking together. While the cookies themselves are durable enough not to fall apart, the powdered sugar topping requires a bit of extra care to maintain its aesthetic appeal. With these considerations in mind, sharing the joy of Lemon crinkle cookies with friends and family, no matter the distance, is a wonderful gesture that brings a taste of home to any corner of the globe.
How do you get the powdered sugar to stay on the cookie?
Achieving a thick layer of powdered sugar that stays put on your Lemon Snowflake Cookies even after baking is simpler than it might seem, thanks to two tips that ensure success. The first step involves ensuring your sugar is smoothly sifted and free from clumps. This preparation creates a fine, even powder that adheres better to the cookie surface. Then, the cookie balls need to be rolled in the sugar several times. This repeated action doesn’t just coat but envelops them, ensuring they are completely covered.
This method does more than just beautify the cookies; it plays a crucial role in their final taste and texture. As the cookies bake, the sugar slightly melds into the surface without disappearing, creating a sweet, crusty exterior that contrasts delightfully with the soft, chewy interior. By following these steps, the powdered sugar becomes an integral part of the cookie, rather than a decorative afterthought that vanishes in the oven.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of making Lemon Snowflake Cookies requires a blend of traditional baking techniques and a few clever tricks to ensure every detail, from the powdered sugar coating to the delicate lemon flavor, comes through beautifully. By carefully sifting the sugar to keep it free from clumps and rolling the cookie balls several times to get them completely covered with a thick layer, bakers can ensure these cookies emerge from the oven looking as enchanting as they taste. This journey from preparing the dough to the final presentation not only enhances the baking experience but also promises a delightful treat that captures the essence of the season, making Lemon Snowflake Cookies a cherished recipe for bakers at any skill level.
FAQs
Q1. Can I make Lemon Snowflake Cookies without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can make Lemon Snowflake Cookies without a stand mixer by mixing the ingredients thoroughly by hand or using a handheld electric mixer. Ensure the sugar and lemon zest are well combined and the dough reaches the right consistency.
Q2. How long can Lemon Snowflake Cookies be stored?
Lemon Snowflake Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to maintain their texture and flavor.
Q3. Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
While fresh lemon juice is recommended for its vibrant flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Keep in mind that fresh lemon zest is crucial for the aromatic lemony scent and taste.
Q4. Why is my powdered sugar melting into the cookies?
Powdered sugar can melt into the cookies if they are too warm when the sugar is applied, or due to high humidity. To prevent this, ensure the cookie balls are cooled to room temperature before rolling them in powdered sugar.
Q5. Can I freeze the dough for Lemon Snowflake Cookies?
Yes, the dough for Lemon Snowflake Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before shaping, rolling in powdered sugar, and baking as directed.
