Lemon Meltaway Cookies
He is risen!
I hope you had a wonderful Easter full of food and love. But you know, if you didn’t have a picture-perfect holiday, I hope you’re not looking through your Instagram feed and feeling like a black sheep. Or worse, feeling like a misfit toy.
Let me help you by telling you about my Easter “celebration.” It began bright and early at 5:45 am when my dog woke me up to go outside. After taking her out, I stumbled into the kitchen. I didn’t eat the gorgeous Coconut Cheesecake Breakfast Braid that I developed as an Easter morning breakfast. Instead, I ate leftover chips and queso while standing at the kitchen sink. Then I played Word Crack for awhile before falling back to sleep.
I’ve been going to what I call a “recovery church” in Raleigh for the past two years: an amazing community of people re-figuring things out. But I decided that for Easter, I really wanted to go to a church with worship songs I love and remember. I picked one out online to try. When Mike and I arrived, it was a megachurch. I have nothing against megachurches; in fact, I almost feel more comfortable in them, since I attended one most of my life. But this church was more of a . . . production. Things felt very orchestrated. It just didn’t feel natural to me.
We shuffled in; sang two songs, neither of which I knew; listened to a sermon I found a little misguided (albeit well-intentioned); and shuffled out. The whole thing left me feeling alone in my faith again.
Back at home, I took a fitful nap. Mike and I got in a fight and then made up by watching a video of pugs wearing bunny ears. I worked until midnight (12:08, to be exact, and not finished yet!) before finally going to bed.
Today wasn’t all bad by any means. Easter is incredibly special to me and this one was no exception. But if all you saw were my posts on social media — my “Happy Easter!” Facebook status, my Pinterest-worthy dinner picture — you might feel like everything was just peachy. You might wonder why you couldn’t get it together when everyone else’s Easter was hopping along so nicely. You might not have realized that we’re all driving over our own rocky roads.
Let’s let each other off the hook. Let’s let ourselves off the hook. Bake up some sweet, buttery lemon cookies and share in the comments below or over on Facebook the ways your life has been decidedly un-Pinterest-worthy lately!
One year ago: Strawberry Coconut Cream Pie Bars
Two years ago: The Ultimate Moist, Fluffy, Ridiculous Coconut Cake
Three years ago: Buttery Coconut & Almond Morning Buns
Four years ago: Birthday Cake Cheesecake
Five years ago: Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Squares with Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons lemon extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
- milk (or water) as needed to thin to spreading consistency
- lemon zest for topping
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a light-colored baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale, light, and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg and lemon extract and mix until just combined. Add the flour mixture in about 4 additions, mixing until just combined after each. Mix to completely combine.
- Roll the mixture into 1-tablespoon balls between your hands (get them really smooth), place them on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart, and gently flatten them with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake the cookies for 7 and a half minutes. They won't brown at all, but they're ready! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon extract. Add milk or water in tablespoon measures, whisking after each addition, until the icing reaches spreading (not pouring) consistency. Use the back of a spoon to spread the icing onto each cooled cookie, zesting a lemon over them after you ice each batch of 5 or so (so the icing won't set before the zest hits it).
- Let the cookies rest for 10 minutes so the icing sets completely and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, but serve at room temperature.
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
April 6, 2015 at 1:11 am (10 years ago)These cookies are gorgeous!! Pinned and dying to make!
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian
April 6, 2015 at 2:03 am (10 years ago)I really enjoyed your post, Julie. It’s so true. Life doesn’t always fit into this great image we unconsciously create in our comments and regular blogs. It’s more complicated than that, and really appreciate your honesty. It inspires me. I went to church this morning for the first time in a really long time. My husband, though I love him, is an agnostic. I wish so much it’s something we could share, but it isn’t. He’s a humanist – and there’s nothing wrong in that. But I was frustrated today by the fact that while I was sharing some moments from the service with him, that he was testing ring tones on his phone. (I’m sure there’s a good post in there.) And I spent much of the day nursing a sick puppy. Life sometimes is just what’s happening right then, and knowing how important it is to be present to that. It may not be the perfect image we all have about a holiday like Easter, but that’s ok too. Some years are. Some years aren’t.
Elizabeth Conboy
April 7, 2015 at 6:20 am (10 years ago)Susan, I’m glad you attended church today and sorry that your husband doesn’t share the same religious belief.I’ve been married 50+ years and it is the same situation here. But my faith is my lifeline and has guided me and gives me hope and strength for each day. It’s really true that “The first 50 years are the hardest! But I think the days will be much better with these delicious Lemon Meltaway Cookies, I can hardly wait for some!
We must thank dear Julie for this great recipe.
Hang on tight Girlfriends everywhere, and stay true to yourself.
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian
April 6, 2015 at 2:03 am (10 years ago)Oh, and I love the cookies 🙂
Renee
April 6, 2015 at 2:11 am (10 years ago)Those cookies look delicious! Yumm’d it for you and for me to try later!
Elle
April 6, 2015 at 2:43 am (10 years ago)This post really resonated with me – I didn’t have the perfect Easter either. Far from it. And that’s okay. These cookies look delicious, will definitely have to try it when I get some lemons 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
April 6, 2015 at 7:31 am (10 years ago)He is risen indeed!
And these cookies are gorgeous! The lemon is perfect for Spring! Pinned!
Kirsten
April 6, 2015 at 9:06 am (10 years ago)Julie,
Thanks for writing, yet again, words that resonate with me.
At lunch yesterday I looked around Five Guys at the other folks who chose to eat burgers and fries on Easter Sunday. We were there because it was my daughter’s birthday, and on your birthday in our family what you want to eat trumps what holiday dictates you *should* be eating.
My burger was tasty and the fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and my daughter splurged on a bacon cheeseburger and relished every bite. That’s a win in my book–even if it doesn’t match the FB/Pinterest ideal.
These cookies, though–totally meet the ideal, and right up my son’s alley since he’s a big lemon fan. Coincidentally, his birthday is coming up next!
Thanks!
Melissa Falk
April 6, 2015 at 9:17 am (10 years ago)You had me at lemon 🙂 Seriously, I am bookmarking this one. Thanks!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
April 6, 2015 at 9:28 am (10 years ago)These cookies look melt-in-your-mouth amazing! I’m loving all things lemon right now and these look so perfect for spring!
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist
April 6, 2015 at 9:38 am (10 years ago)These are so cute!! Love the lemon zest on top too. Just such a cute touch.
marcie
April 6, 2015 at 11:15 am (10 years ago)I love lemon desserts, and these look melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
Rina I Thee Cook
April 6, 2015 at 2:48 pm (10 years ago)I just love all dessert that are lemon. These look so good!
Sarah - High Heels and Grills
April 6, 2015 at 3:42 pm (10 years ago)These look beautiful! I love the realness of your post as well. Thanks for giving us a glimpse inside your life and letting us all know that life doesn’t always turn out perfectly! I hope your day is better today. 🙂 XOXO
Teresca
April 6, 2015 at 7:03 pm (10 years ago)These look gorgeous. I could eat a dozen of them!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
April 6, 2015 at 11:04 pm (10 years ago)I was visiting my mom for Easter and I went to church with her. I always loved Easter mass, but I thought this was was just, meh. I don’t go often, so had hoped for something special. Oh well. It made my mom happy that I went 🙂
Your cookies looks absolutely awesome! So pretty & cheerful. Yum!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits
April 7, 2015 at 1:53 am (10 years ago)I loved your candor in this post, Julie! It’s true that as a blogger, I want to paint a good picture for my readers. But like you said, life isn’t always peachy keen. I find it adorable that you and Mike made up by watching videos of pugs in bunny ears! Anyway, Iet’s just let these cookies melt away some of our problems. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
Margie
April 7, 2015 at 12:41 pm (10 years ago)Dear Julie,I printed your lemon cookie recipe earlier today,but you stayed on my mind,about your Easter service,it seems like All the mega Churches are not spirit filled anymore.
But know our LORD is alive and well,and hears us when we call on him with our prayers.
And there is nothing like hearing them great old hymns like Amazing Grace and so many others. Just remember JESUS OUR LORD LOVES YOU! Hugs,to you and your hubby,glad you made up!!
mad sad
April 7, 2015 at 12:51 pm (10 years ago)delicious cookies
mad sad
April 7, 2015 at 12:51 pm (10 years ago)looks gorgeous
Candace
April 7, 2015 at 8:34 pm (10 years ago)Thank you for being genuine. As my Great Grandmother Wiseman used to say, “Life isn’t full of sunshine and roses.” I am so glad I read your post today. Hugs for letting us sharing with us.
Lily Lau
April 11, 2015 at 1:26 pm (10 years ago)Those cookies look brilliant! And I especially love that lemon touch 🙂
Karen
April 13, 2015 at 10:31 pm (10 years ago)Your baking always looks so fresh and inviting! I keep coming back to these cookies and will have to make them soon. Thanks!
Elaine
September 18, 2019 at 12:53 pm (5 years ago)Can you substitute the lemon extract with real lemon? Same amounts? Thank you!
Julie Ruble
September 18, 2019 at 3:18 pm (5 years ago)Hi Elaine! It’s hard to do that substitution because lemon extract is much more concentrated and using lemon juice to get the same level of flavor will add too much moisture. I would use the same amount of lemon juice (so the batter won’t have too much moisture) and then add the zest of a lemon to the batter too. The flavor won’t be as concentrated but that should help.