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Lemon Vanilla Tea Cookies

Delight in the refreshing crunch of cookies infused with bright lemon and creamy vanilla flavors, perfect for afternoon tea or as a sweet snack.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 100
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Provides structure and a tender crumb.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar Sweetens and helps achieve a golden color.
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder Leavening agent for light texture.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest Adds bright citrus flavor.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt Balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup cold butter Provides richness and tenderness.
  • 1/4 cup milk Adds moisture and binds ingredients.
  • 1 large egg Binds the ingredients.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds depth to flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice Enhances lemon flavor.
For Dusting
  • 1 cup powdered/icing sugar Used for dusting before serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl or food processor, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt.
  2. Incorporate the cold butter, milk, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice, then mix until almost formed into a dough.
  3. Adjust the dough consistency by adding more flour if too wet, or more milk if too dry.
  4. Move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently to form a compact, non-sticky soft dough.
  5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for one hour.
Shaping and Baking
  1. After chilling, form the dough into golf ball-sized balls and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets 1-1.5 inches apart.
  2. Chill the shaped cookies for 15-20 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  3. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
  4. Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Dust the cookies with powdered/icing sugar before serving.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Consider adding almond extract for extra flavor or adjusting the flour for the right dough consistency.