Annemarie's Lemon Bars
Lemon Cookies – The Perfect Recipe for Special Moments
If you are looking for a quick, fragrant, and extremely delicious dessert, lemon cookies are the ideal choice. These sweet delights, with an intense lemon flavor, melt in your mouth and are perfect for any occasion, whether it's a party, a picnic, or simply a relaxing afternoon at home. In this recipe, I will show you step by step how to prepare these lemon cookies, which are sure to become everyone's favorite.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Number of Servings: 12 cookies
Ingredients
For the base:
- 100 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup and 1/3 of flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- A pinch of salt
- Vanilla sugar (optional)
For the filling:
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 and a half tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Preparation Technique
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (or the cake setting). This will ensure even baking for your cookies.
Step 2: Prepare the base
In a bowl, combine the soft butter, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well until you get a soft and elastic dough. If you prefer, you can add vanilla sugar for extra flavor.
If the dough is hard to spread, don't worry! You can shape it directly in the baking pan, pressing it well with your hands until you reach the edges. This is a simple and effective method.
Step 3: Bake the base
Once the dough is evenly distributed in the pan, place it in the oven for exactly 20 minutes. You'll want to keep an eye on the time, as the base should not brown; it should remain light in color.
Step 4: Prepare the filling
While the base is baking, you can prepare the filling. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the white sugar until the mixture becomes frothy. Add the two tablespoons of flour, baking powder, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, mixing well to achieve a homogeneous composition.
Step 5: Final baking
After the 20 minutes of baking the base, remove the pan from the oven and carefully pour the filling on top. Place the pan back in the oven and let it bake for another 20 minutes. The lemon aroma will fill the entire kitchen!
Step 6: Serving
Once the baking time is up, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool. Once cooled, you can cut the cookies into squares or rectangles. Finally, dust them with powdered sugar and decorate the plate with a little grated lemon for an elegant look.
Practical Tips
- Flour: Make sure to use good quality flour for optimal results. Cake flour is an excellent choice as it provides a finer texture.
- Sugar: Vanilla sugar can be made at home by mixing regular sugar with a vanilla pod. This will add a subtle flavor to your cookies.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh lemons, as the natural juice brings a much more intense and vibrant flavor compared to store-bought juice.
Nutritional Benefits
Lemon cookies contain simple yet beneficial ingredients. Lemons are known for their high vitamin C content, which helps strengthen the immune system. Additionally, butter adds healthy fats, and sugar, although present in moderate amounts, provides the necessary energy to enjoy these delights.
Possible Variations
While the basic recipe is already delicious, you can experiment with different ingredients:
- Add lemon zest: Grate the lemon zest and add it to the filling for an extra flavor boost.
- Nuts: You can enrich the dough with ground nuts or almonds, which will add an interesting texture to your cookies.
- Berries: Try adding some fresh berries to the filling to create a delicious combination of flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use another type of sweetener? Yes, you can substitute sugar with natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind that the final texture may be different.
- How do I store lemon cookies? These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also freeze them, but it's better to consume them fresh.
- What can I serve lemon cookies with? These cookies pair perfectly with a cup of green tea or fresh lemonade. Additionally, a berry sauce can turn the dessert into a true indulgence.
Now that you know how to prepare these delicious lemon cookies, it's time to gather your ingredients and get cooking. I'm sure each bite will bring a smile to your face and those of your loved ones. Enjoy!
Ingredients: I. 100g Soft butter (at room temperature) 1 cup and 1/3 of flour 1/4 cup sugar vanilla sugar (to taste) II. 2 eggs 3/4 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 3 and a half tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
