Snack: Lemon Ornament Cookies

Recipe by Woman's Day Kitchen These darling cookies — spiked with the taste of tart lemon — are finished so beautifully, you may want to use them for decorating as well as eating.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Lemon Ornament Cookies

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
Thick Decorating Icing (recipe follows)
Assorted gel food colors (optional)
You'll also need: 3-inch ornament cookie cutters, assorted colors of edible pearl dragées

Instructions

Beat ingredients except flour in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until creamy. On low speed, gradually beat in flour.
Divide dough into four portions. Shape each into a 1/2-inch-thick disk; wrap separately. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. You'll need a baking sheet(s) coated with nonstick spray.
Place one disk at a time (keep others refrigerated) between two sheets of wax paper that have been sprinkled with flour. Roll out to 1/8 inch thick. Remove top sheet of paper. Cut out desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Transfer shapes with a floured spatula to prepared baking sheet(s), spacing them 2 inches apart. Chill scraps, then re-roll and cut.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, just until edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet on wire rack 2 minutes, then remove to rack to cool completely.
Beat confectioners' sugar and Just Whites (see Note) in a large bowl with mixer on low speed until combined. Add water; beat until blended. Increase speed to high; beat 8 minutes or until icing is very thick and white. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Divide some of the icing among smaller bowls, one for each desired color; tint with food colors. Add drops of water to icing just until thin enough to spread. Spread over cookies; let dry several hours. Using thick icing (white or tinted), pipe designs on cookies and decorate with colored dragées. Let dry completely, about 3 hours.
Store airtight with wax paper between layers at cool room temperature up to 2 weeks, or freeze (undecorated) up to 3 months. Store decorated cookies at room temperature up to 5 days.

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