Weekend Baking 1.5

LEMON COOKIES!

With sprinkles just to make them a little more fun. I've been wanting to make these for weeks, but just got around to it last night. I figured that Valentines cookies were probably best on Valentines Day. Am I right? So I got my butt in gear and baked them. Boy am I glad I did that.

I took in 1 1/2 dozen to work today and they were gone, no problem. Aaron was a little sad that I gave away so many of them (he always is). He says his favorite part is the frosting - a lemon glaze. One of my favorite coworkers said she liked the cookie best - kind of a lemony shortbread. I like the two things together, personally. They work together perfectly.

Of course, they don't have to be just for Valentines day, as you can cut them into whatever shape you want. I just pulled them from a valentines day issue of a magazine a few years back.

Anyway, here's the recipe. If you make them I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Lemon Cookies
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens


Ingredients:
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp vanilla
3 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
Lemon Glaze (recipe below)

In a small bowl stir together flour and baking powder; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an eletric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Add teh sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in lemon peel.

Chill dough in refrigerator approx. 3 hours.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out dough with cookie cutters. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are golden. Carefully transfer to a cooling rack; cool completely.

Lemon Glaze:
In a large bowl stir together 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Color as desired, and spread or pipe onto cookies.