Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies

RECIPE :

Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 

Icing:

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl or using a mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Mix in sugar and beat until the mixture is creamy.
2. Add the egg, then the vanilla extract, and beat until the mixture is fluffy and lightened in color, which should take around 5-6 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, lemon zest, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
4. Alternate between adding the flour mixture and the lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until a rough dough forms. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until it is chilled.
6. Preheat the oven to 350º F when ready to bake. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Use a tablespoon or ice cream scoop to scoop cookie dough. Roll the dough between your hands to create balls, then transfer them to the lined baking sheets.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown and pull away from the baking sheet.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely.
10. To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more or less powdered sugar.
11. Once the cookies are cool, drizzle the icing over them and let it set before serving. Enjoy your delicious lemon cream cheese cookies!