Italian Lemon Cookies
Deliciously light and flavorful cookies boasting a delightful blend of sweetness and tartness from fresh lemons, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour Basic structure
- 4 teaspoons baking powder Leavening agent
- 1 cup white granulated sugar For sweetness
- ½ cup vegetable shortening (Crisco) For texture
- 3 large eggs, room temperature For moisture and structure
- ½ cup milk, room temperature For moisture
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest from about 1 medium lemon For citrus flavor
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice For tartness
- 4-6 tablespoons multicolored sprinkles (optional) For visual appeal
For Lemon Icing
- 3 cups powdered (confectioner's) sugar For sweetness and texture
- 4 teaspoons lemon zest from about 1 large lemon For citrus flavor
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice For tartness
- 2-4 tablespoons milk Add more if needed for consistency
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together the sugar and vegetable shortening until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Pour in the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until well blended.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- If using sprinkles, gently fold them into the dough.
Baking
- Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spaced a few inches apart.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Icing
- Prepare the lemon icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk.
- Once the cookies are cool, drizzle or spread the icing over the top of each cookie.
Notes
Ensure ingredients like eggs and milk are at room temperature for better mixing. Chill the dough for thicker cookies.