Zesty Italian Lemon Cookies
Indulge in these delightful Italian Lemon Cookies that bring a refreshing citrus twist to your dessert table. Perfectly soft and chewy, these cookies are infused with vibrant lemon extract and topped with a luscious powdered sugar frosting that will tantalize your taste buds. Ideal for any occasion, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser and are sure to disappear quickly! Whether you're hosting a gathering or looking for a sweet treat to enjoy at home, these cookies have you covered with their bright flavor and irresistible sweetness. With the help of Crisco® Shortening, these cookies maintain a beautifully tender texture while offering an enticing aroma of fresh lemons. Enjoy them as a delightful snack or pair them with a cup of tea for a perfect afternoon treat!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
to taste (For greasing the baking sheet)
Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
2 cups (All-purpose flour for the cookie dough)
Sugar
1/3 cup (Granulated sugar for the cookie dough)
Baking Powder
1 tablespoon (Leavening agent to help the cookies rise)
Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
1/4 cup (or 1/4 stick) (For the cookie dough)
Milk
1/2 cup (Add to the dough)
Large Egg
1 (Beaten to combine with the dough)
Lemon Extract
2 teaspoons (Provides lemon flavor to the cookies)
Powdered Sugar
2 cups (For making the frosting)
Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
1/3 cup (or 1/3 stick) (For the frosting)
Warm Milk
1/4 cup, divided (Use most of it for the frosting, adding as needed for consistency)
Lemon Extract
1 teaspoon (Additional flavoring for the frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a baking sheet with Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon baking powder. Mix well.
3
Add 1/4 cup of Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening (or 1/4 cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening) to the dry mixture. Using an electric mixer on low speed, blend the shortening into the flour mixture until it is fully incorporated.
4
Next, add 1/2 cup of milk, 1 beaten large egg, and 2 teaspoons of lemon extract. Mix just until combined, taking care not to overmix.
5
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden brown around the edges. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet set on a wire rack.
7
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the frosting by beating together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening (or 1/3 cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening), 2 tablespoons of warm milk, and 1 teaspoon of lemon extract in a medium bowl using an electric mixer on low speed until blended.
8
Gradually blend in additional warm milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
9
Once cookies have cooled, spread the frosting generously over the tops of each cookie and let it set before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Italian Lemon Cookies?
These are soft and chewy cookies infused with vibrant lemon extract and topped with a luscious powdered sugar frosting.
What makes these cookies soft and chewy?
The use of Crisco Shortening helps maintain a tender and chewy texture in these Italian-style cookies.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Lightly coat the baking sheet with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray to prevent the cookies from sticking.
What flour is best for this recipe?
Pillsbury BEST All Purpose Flour is recommended for the cookie dough.
How much sugar is in the cookie dough?
The dough requires 1/3 cup of granulated sugar.
What leavening agent is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder to help the cookies rise.
How do I incorporate the shortening into the dough?
Use an electric mixer on low speed to blend 1/4 cup of shortening into the dry flour mixture until fully incorporated.
How much lemon extract is needed for the dough?
You should add 2 teaspoons of lemon extract to the dough for a vibrant citrus flavor.
Do I need to beat the egg before adding it?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 large egg that has been beaten.
What size should the dough balls be?
The dough should be shaped into 1-inch balls.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the baking sheet?
Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when they are lightly golden brown around the edges.
Should I cool the cookies on the baking sheet?
Yes, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet set on a wire rack.
What are the ingredients for the frosting?
The frosting consists of powdered sugar, shortening, warm milk, and lemon extract.
How much powdered sugar is used in the frosting?
The frosting requires 2 cups of powdered sugar.
How much shortening is needed for the frosting?
You will need 1/3 cup of Crisco Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening for the frosting.
How much lemon extract is added to the frosting?
The frosting uses 1 teaspoon of lemon extract for additional flavoring.
What temperature should the milk be for the frosting?
The milk used in the frosting should be warm.
How do I adjust the frosting consistency?
Gradually blend in additional warm milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
When should I apply the frosting to the cookies?
Apply the frosting only after the cookies have cooled completely.
Can I use Crisco Baking Sticks for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either Crisco Baking Sticks or Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening.
Is it okay to overmix the dough?
No, you should mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including those for the cookies and the frosting.
What is the texture of these cookies?
They are described as perfectly soft and chewy.
Are these cookies good for events?
Yes, they are a crowd-pleaser and ideal for hosting gatherings or as a sweet treat.
What can I pair these cookies with?
These cookies pair perfectly with a cup of tea for an afternoon treat.
How much milk goes into the cookie dough?
The cookie dough requires 1/2 cup of milk.
What should I do before serving the frosted cookies?
Let the frosting set on the tops of the cookies before serving.