This Pioneer Woman Lemon Meltaways recipe is buttery and soft, which uses fresh lemon zest and lemon juice. It’s a classic, foolproof cookie recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes including chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Lemon Meltaways Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar

How To Make Pioneer Woman Lemon Meltaways
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add lemon and vanilla: Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and chill: Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into a 1.5-inch thick log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours).
- Prep oven and pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice and bake: Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick rounds and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Coat in sugar: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm.
- Finish and serve: Once fully cooled, dust with more powdered sugar before serving.

Recipe Tips
- Why are my lemon meltaways spreading? Make sure the dough is well chilled before baking.
- How do I get cookies to melt in your mouth? Use cornstarch as directed and avoid overbaking.
- Can I freeze lemon meltaway dough? Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- How to store lemon meltaway cookies? Keep in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, the dough can chill up to 24 hours before baking.
What To Serve With Lemon Meltaways
These lemon cookies pair well with:

- Hot tea
- Coffee
- Fresh berries
- Vanilla ice cream
- A glass of cold milk
How To Store Lemon Meltaways
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Freeze Dough: Store wrapped dough logs in the freezer and slice when ready to bake.
Lemon Meltaways Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make lemon meltaways without cornstarch?
Cornstarch helps create the soft texture, but you can substitute with additional flour if needed.
Why are my cookies crumbly?
Too much flour or overbaking can make them dry and crumbly.
Can I add more lemon flavor?
Yes, increase lemon zest slightly for a stronger citrus taste.
Do lemon meltaways need to be refrigerated?
No, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Cheesecake
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Muffins
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Pioneer Woman Lemon Meltaways
Description
Buttery lemon meltaway cookies made with fresh lemon zest and coated in powdered sugar for a soft, delicate texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Combine dry ingredients with butter mixture to form dough.
- Shape into logs, wrap, and chill 1 hour.
- Slice into rounds and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
- Dust again after cooling and serve.
