Potluck Eats

  • Recipe Index
    • Crockpot recipes
    • Easy Meals
    • Frosting Recipes
    • Side Dish Delights
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
    • Crockpot recipes
    • Easy Meals
    • Frosting Recipes
    • Side Dish Delights
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • About Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
    • Crockpot recipes
    • Easy Meals
    • Frosting Recipes
    • Side Dish Delights
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
  • About Me
×
  • A clear glass bowl piled high with pale pink jello cubes and topped with a fresh green mint sprig against a plain gray background.
    Pink Jello Weight Loss Recipe
  • Red gelatin cubes stacked in a clear glass bowl next to fresh lemon slices on a white marble countertop
    Jello Weight Loss Recipe
  • Sliced red onions pickling inside a glass jar with a wire bale latch lid sitting on a wooden cutting board against a dark background.
    Cava Pickled Red Onion Recipe
  • Three glass mason jars packed with sliced pink pickled red onions sitting on a table with pink hydrangeas blurred in the background.
    Bobby Flay Pickled Red Onion Recipe
  • Two glass mason jars filled with layers of halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red onions, garlic cloves, and spices sitting on a rustic wooden table next to fresh dill.
    Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Red Onions and Cucumbers Recipe
  • Graphic pin showing two views of bright pink pickled red onions in glass jars with text overlay reading Pickled Red Onion Recipe No Sugar
    Pickled Red Onion Recipe No Sugar
  • A gold fork lifts thin strands of vibrant pink pickled red onions from a clear glass jar filled with brine, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes
    Sweet Pickled Red Onion Recipe
  • A sealed glass clamp jar filled with bright pink pickled red onions and sliced jalapeños sitting on a white marble tabletop
    Spicy Pickled Red Onion Recipe
  • Sliced red onions and green chilis soaking in pink vinegar liquid inside a sealed glass jar
    Indian Red Onion Pickle Recipe
  • A close-up view of a small ceramic bowl filled with thinly sliced bright pink pickled red onions tossed with fresh green cilantro.
    Asian Pickled Red Onion Recipe
  • A glass jar filled with bright pink pickled red onions sits on a small speckled plate with two lime halves next to it
    Mexican Pickled Red Onions Recipe
  • Top down view of three round glass jars packed with vibrant pink pickled red onions and peppercorns on a marble surface next to a wooden spoon.
    Pickled Red Onion Recipe
Home » Spring Recipes

Lemon Meltaways Recipe

Published: Jul 16, 2025 by Betsy · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

lemon-meltaways this sugar

DifficultyBeginnerYields24 Servings

These lemon meltaways are the perfect combination of buttery goodness and bright, tangy lemon flavor. The cookies are soft, delicate, and practically melt in your mouth, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. With a simple frosting made of lemon zest and juice, these cookies are elevated to a whole new level of flavor, making them an instant favorite.

What makes these lemon meltaways so special is their texture and balance of flavors. The cornstarch gives them a soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, while the lemon juice and zest provide a refreshing citrus kick. With the optional yellow food coloring in the frosting, you can even add a cheerful pop of color to brighten up your dessert table. These cookies are perfect for springtime gatherings or anytime you want a light, zesty treat.

Ingredients for Lemon Meltaways:

For the Cookies:

 ¾ cup butter, softened
 ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
 ½ cup cornstarch

For the Frosting:

 ¼ cup butter, softened
 ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 1 to 3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Lemon Meltaways:

1

Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar together until they are well blended and creamy. Mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour and cornstarch. Gradually add this dry mixture into the butter mixture, beating until just combined.

lemon-meltaways-step-1

2

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into an 8-inch-long roll. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the dough is firm. This step is important for easy slicing!

lemon-meltaways-step-2

3

Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the chilled dough rolls and slice them crosswise into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Place the slices about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

4

Bake: Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm but not necessarily browned. Carefully remove them from the baking sheets and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

5

Make the Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, beat the ¼ cup softened butter and ¾ cup confectioners' sugar together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and, if you like, 1 to 3 drops of yellow food coloring for a brighter color.

lemon-meltaways-step-3

6

Frost and Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread the lemon frosting evenly over each one.

Notes

For best results, ensure the dough is chilled for at least 2 hours before slicing. This allows the cookies to hold their shape and bake evenly. You can also adjust the amount of yellow food coloring in the frosting to suit your preference for color intensity. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Prep Time20 minsCook Time12 minsTotal Time32 mins

lemon meltaways recipe

[cooked-sharing]

Nutrition Facts

24 servings

Serving size

1 cookie


Amount per serving
Calories49
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g4%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 25mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 0g
Total Sugars 2g
Includes 0g Added Sugars0%
Protein 0g

Vitamin A 0mcg0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 0mg0%
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Vitamin E 0mg0%
Vitamin K 0mcg0%
Thiamin 0mg0%
Riboflavin 0mg0%
Niacin 0mg0%
Vitamin B6 0mg0%
Folate 0mcg0%
Vitamin B12 0mg0%
Biotin 0mcg0%
Pantothenic Acid 0mg0%
Phosphorus 0mg0%
Iodine 0mcg0%
Magnesium 0mg0%
Zinc 0mg0%
Selenium 0mcg0%
Copper 0mg0%
Manganese 0mg0%
Chromium 0mcg0%
Molybdenum 0mcg0%
Chloride 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Lemon Meltaways:

For the Cookies:

 ¾ cup butter, softened
 ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
 ½ cup cornstarch

For the Frosting:

 ¼ cup butter, softened
 ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 1 to 3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Directions

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Lemon Meltaways:

1

Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar together until they are well blended and creamy. Mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour and cornstarch. Gradually add this dry mixture into the butter mixture, beating until just combined.

lemon-meltaways-step-1

2

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into an 8-inch-long roll. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the dough is firm. This step is important for easy slicing!

lemon-meltaways-step-2

3

Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the chilled dough rolls and slice them crosswise into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Place the slices about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

4

Bake: Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm but not necessarily browned. Carefully remove them from the baking sheets and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

5

Make the Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, beat the ¼ cup softened butter and ¾ cup confectioners' sugar together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and, if you like, 1 to 3 drops of yellow food coloring for a brighter color.

lemon-meltaways-step-3

6

Frost and Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread the lemon frosting evenly over each one.

Notes

For best results, ensure the dough is chilled for at least 2 hours before slicing. This allows the cookies to hold their shape and bake evenly. You can also adjust the amount of yellow food coloring in the frosting to suit your preference for color intensity. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Lemon Meltaways
IngredientsDirections

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

I’m Betsy, the cook behind Potluck Eats. Here you’ll find reliable, easy-to-follow recipes made with everyday ingredients, designed to help busy families enjoy flavorful meals together.

More about me

Popular

  • Overhead view of six chewy chocolate cookies sprinkled with flaky sea salt on a black wire cooling rack next to a blue checkered towel.
    Easy Chocolate Cookie Recipes
  • A plate filled with golden brown eggless chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky sea salt sitting next to a glass of milk
    Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Without Eggs
  • A white bowl holding a large scoop of edible style chocolate chip cookie dough on a marble surface
    Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe
  • A stack of thick golden brown sugar cookies on a white plate with a bite taken out of the top cookie next to two glasses of milk.
    Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Top Holiday

  • Chocolate-Glazed Baked Cake Mix Donuts
    Easy Baked Cake Mix Donuts (No Frying, 20-Min Prep!)
  • Overhead view of jalapeño popper mummies wrapped in golden crescent dough with candy eyes.
    Halloween Jalapeño Poppers Mummy Recipe: Spooky, Cheesy & Party-Perfect
  • Orange poke Halloween cupcake with candy eyes and sprinkles in a purple cupcake liner.
    Easy Orange Poke Halloween Cupcakes with Jello Surprise
  • zombie brain cupkaes
    Easy Zombie Brain Cupcakes With Strawberry Buttercream That Look Gory And Taste Amazing

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Contact

  • Contact
  • About

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2026 Potluck Eats.