Page 45 - Classic Cookies with Modern Twists

Lemon Me lting Mo ments

Melting Moments are like Mexican Wedding Cakes without the
nuts. Both are tender on the inside, with a generous coating of
confect ioners’ sugar on the outside. As the name suggests, they melt
in your mouth . Tr aditional recipes achieve this effect with

cornstarch , but I prefer to use white r ice our. Other than citr us ze st
and a touch of vanilla, these subtly avored cookies are plain and
simple and deser ve a high-quality sweet butter. For a twist, tr y the
addition of anise, which combines well with the lemon.

MAKES 4 DOZEN 1-INCH COOKIES

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup white rice flour

½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon gr ound aniseed (optional)

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
⅔ cup confectioners’ suga r, divided

4 teaspoons finely gr ated lemon zest, divided

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with
parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ours,
salt, and aniseed. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a st and mixer tted with the paddle
att achment, or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter,