Christmas Cookie Countdown and Lime Meltaways
Remaining dedicated to my Christmas Cookie Countdown has proven to be a real challenge this week. Is anyone else short on time during these days leading up to the Holidays, or is it just me? I’ll admit that I am a rather poor time manager. But, the days fly by and I feel as though I get little accomplished. The sun comes up, and goes down again, leaving me wondering – what have I accomplished during the past fourteen hours. Let’s take a closer look at today for example. I was out of bed by 7:00 am. I took an hour long walk. I wrapped gifts, which I then took to the post office so that my daughter will have something to open during the eight nights of Hanukkah. Back home again, I made a batch of gingerbread biscotti that were so bad they ended up in the trash. Slip covers came off the sofa and into the washer, then back onto the sofa. Another batch of cookies, which turned out beautifully and are the subject of today’s post. Major Spring cleaning was performed in the living room before the decorating begins. (I guess I was a few months behind on that one.) Dinner – a girl needs to eat. Then, another batch of cookies which are headed to the freezer for a party next week. Ah, finally at 9:30, I get to sit down. So – I don’t know if I manage my time poorly or if there just aren’t enough hours in a day to get it all done. I want to think the latter.
Today’s recipe is for a citrusy butter cookie. I chose it for its simplicity and ease, which was a priority today, but also for its fresh and perky flavor. Just a hint of zest and juice deliver a little lime surprise to the tastebuds. Be warned, these diminutive bites are addictive. You won’t be able to eat just one. But then, why would you want to.
These cookies offer the perfect little bite of buttery goodness, enlivened with a hint of lime, and cloaked in a blanket of sugary sweetness.
Lime Meltaways
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus grated zest of 2 limes
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, for coating the baked cookies
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and 1/3 cup of confectioners’ sugar until fluffy. Add the lime juice, zest, and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add to butter mixture, and beat on low speed until combined. Refrigerate dough until chilled, at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350˚. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Place the 3/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl.
Using a very small scoop, one that holds approximately 2 teaspoons of dough, place small scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly using the bottom of a glass. If the glass sticks to the cookie, dip the bottom of the glass into flour.
Bake until barely golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly, 7 to 8 minutes. While still warm, toss several cookies at a time into the confectioners’ sugar. Cool completely on a wire rack. Freeze, or if wrapped tightly, these cookies will last for days at room temperature.
Yield: Approximately 3 1/2 to 4 dozen cookies
Source: Adapted from Martha Stewart
These look kinda like the “sandtarts” my aunt used to make, which I absolutely love. A hint of citrus sounds fabulous – gonna try it, maybe today!
Thanks mary!
Let me know how they turn out!
I feel you. Some days I feel so productive, but when I count the things I did…it`s not much.
These lime meltaways look great. I love lime flavored things and I bet I`ll love these.
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