Lemon cookies

Delicious Lemon Cookies: Simple and Quick Recipe

Who can resist the fresh and invigorating aromas of lemon? These lemon cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you're preparing them for a gathering with friends or treating yourself to a delightful sweet with your coffee. The citrus aroma, crunchy texture, and balanced sweetness make them the ideal dessert for citrus lovers.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: Approximately 20 cookies

Ingredients

- 350 g wheat flour
- 100 g sugar
- 5 g baking powder
- Zest of 3 lemons (approx. 30 g)
- Juice of one large lemon (approx. 70 ml)
- 1 tablespoon of orange powder (optional but recommended for extra flavor)
- 75 g palm oil (or sunflower oil)
- 50 ml cold water
- 30-50 g wheat flour (for shaping)

Necessary Utensils

- A large mixing bowl
- A spatula or wooden spoon
- A knife or pastry wheel for cutting
- A baking tray
- Baking paper
- A lemon grater

Preparation Steps

1. Sifting the dry ingredients: Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. This step is essential for achieving a fine and homogeneous texture of the dough. Add the sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and optionally, the orange powder. Mix the dry ingredients well to evenly distribute the flavors.

2. Adding the wet ingredients: In the center of the dry ingredient mixture, add the cold water, palm oil, and lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together. The dough may seem sticky, but don't worry, that's normal.

3. Kneading the dough: Once the ingredients are well mixed, knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. This step will help activate the gluten in the flour, giving the cookies a better texture. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid drying out the dough.

4. Resting the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. This resting time helps develop the flavors and makes the dough easier to roll out.

5. Preheating the oven: While the dough rests, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is important to ensure even baking of the cookies.

6. Rolling and cutting the dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll each part into a sheet about 0.5 - 1 cm thick. Use a knife or pastry wheel to cut the dough into rectangles approximately 7-8 cm x 2-3 cm.

7. Baking: Place the cut dough pieces on a baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving a little space between them. Put the tray in the oven and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, depending on how golden you prefer them. You can check the cookies by lightly pressing them; if they spring back quickly, they are done.

8. Cooling and serving: Once the cookies are baked, remove the tray from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. These cookies are delicious served warm, but also at room temperature.

Practical Tips

- Lemon grater: Use a fine grater to obtain the lemon zest, ensuring you do not include the white part, which is bitter.
- Sugar: If you want an even finer texture, you can grind the sugar before adding it to the mixture.
- Butter option: If you prefer a richer taste, you can replace the palm oil with melted butter.
- Storage: The cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.

Delicious Pairings

These lemon cookies pair perfectly with a cup of green tea or a flavorful espresso. You can also serve them with vanilla ice cream or a chocolate sauce for a truly decadent dessert.

Nutritional Benefits

Lemon cookies are not only delicious but also healthier compared to other desserts. Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system. Additionally, sunflower oil contains essential fatty acids that can help maintain heart health.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I replace wheat flour with a gluten-free alternative? Yes, you can use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture and taste will vary.
- Can I add other ingredients? Of course! You can experiment with chopped nuts, raisins, or white chocolate to create delicious variations.
- How can I make the cookies less sweet? You can reduce the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute like stevia.

These lemon cookies are not just a simple recipe, but also an opportunity to bring a touch of sunshine to every day. Regardless of the occasion, the refreshing flavors of lemon and the crunchy texture will make you come back to this recipe again and again. Enjoy your meal!