Spring is in the air!

When I think of spring I think of the farmers market's fresh asparagus and strawberries and bright greens and spring onions.  But one of my favorite spring fruits is lemons!  And with a dinner to attend tonight where I was asked to bring "something sweet," I checked out the lemons in my fruit basket and searched all over the web for a good lemon cookie recipe.  This one just sounded good and I'd like to thank pinchmysalt.com for this great recipe!

Giant Lemon Sugar Cookies



2 C. sugar, divided
Zest of 2 lemons, divided
1 C. butter, softened
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 t. vanilla
1 T. lemon juice
2 3/4 C flour
1/4 t. salt
2 t. cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda


Prepare lemon sugar: In a mini food processor, blend 1/2 C. sugar with 1 t. lemon zest. Pulse several times until the lemon zest is incorporated into the sugar. Put sugar mixture in a shallow bowl and stir lightly with a fork to break up any clumps. Set aside.

Prepare cookie dough: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and remaining 1 1/2 C. sugar. Blend in eggs, one at a time then add vanilla, lemon juice, and remaining lemon zest. Add flour mixture, one cup at a time, blending well after each addition, until all flour is incorporated.


Refrigerate dough for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Shape the cookies: Using a jumbo cookie scoop or your hands, shape two tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball and roll in lemon sugar. Place ball of dough on cookie sheet and press down lightly with the bottom of a glass until cookie is about 1/2 inch thick. Repeat. Six cookies will fit on one 18″ x 13″ baking sheet.

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

The cookies came out great - i varied the size of the cookie as the first batch came out really large (just like the name of the cookie!).  They are cake-y in the middle, have a nice crunch from the lemon sugar on the outside and have a really nice lemon flavor that I love.  I am sure they will go over well at dinner tonight.

What are some of your favorite things about spring?  Any favorite veggies and fruits?

Chow for now! :)