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If sunshine had a flavor, it just might be these sweet little meltaway cookies. Soft, buttery, and bursting with bright lemon flavor, these Southern-style cookies live up to their name. They literally melt in your mouth.

And the best part? They’re easy to make and perfect for gifting, brunches, or just a little bite of joy with your sweet tea. Dust ’em with powdered sugar, and you’ve got yourself a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast… So you might want to double the batch!

Easy lemon meltaways

What makes lemon meltaway cookies Southern in origin (or at least Southern in style) has to do less with geography and more with cultural cues, ingredient choices, and how the recipe is cherished and passed down.

Southern baking is famous for its use of butter and rich fats to create melt-in-your-mouth textures, and lemon meltaways follow this tradition with a shortbread-style base that crumbles tenderly with every bite. Also, lemon desserts have long held a place on Southern tables, and the bright, tangy citrus is especially beloved in warm Southern climates, where fresh, zesty flavors help cut through the heat and humidity.

Ingredients

At the heart of these Southern lemon meltaway cookies are a handful of simple, soulful ingredients that come together to create something truly special. It’s a humble combination, but when baked with love, these ingredients create a cookie that tastes like tradition with a citrus twist.

All-purpose flour lays the foundation.
Cornstarch gives each cookie its signature tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Powdered sugar sweetens the dough and adds a delicate dusting that feels like a kiss of Southern charm.
Softened butter, rich and creamy, binds everything with that unmistakable homemade flavor.
Freshly grated lemon peel and lemon juice bring brightness, zing, and just the right amount of Southern sunshine to every bite.

How to make lemon meltaway cookies

These are the kind of treats Grandma kept tucked away in a tin, ready to share with unexpected guests or to brighten a neighbor’s day. With their soft, shortbread-like texture and vibrant lemon flavor, these meltaways are easy to make and even easier to fall in love with.

Mix all the ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
In your hands, roll the cookies into balls and place them on a greased cookie sheet.
Flatten the cookies by placing the bottom of a drinking glass on top of them.
Bake and let the cookies cool for an hour before frosting them.

The ultimate lemon glaze

The icing is where these Southern lemon meltaway cookies truly shine, light, luscious, and bursting with citrusy charm. It starts with melted butter, which adds a rich, velvety base that clings to each cookie like a warm hug. Powdered sugar blends in to create a silky-smooth texture and just the right amount of sweetness, while a splash of fresh lemon juice adds a bright, zesty tang. This simple trio comes together to form a glaze that’s both decadent and refreshing, drizzling over each cookie like a sunbeam on a summer porch!

How to harden the lemon glaze

After spooning or drizzling the lemon glaze onto the cookies, place them in a single layer on a wire rack or parchment-lined tray. Leave them uncovered at room temperature for at least 6 hours. The glaze will naturally firm up as the moisture evaporates and the butter cools.

When to serve lemon meltaways

These delicious Southern treats are ready to serve once they are glazed. So, make sure the cookies are completely cool before glazing. If they’re even slightly warm, the glaze will melt and stay runny instead of setting. Most importantly, don’t cover or stack the cookies until the glaze is fully hardened. Otherwise, they may smudge or stick.

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Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.