Light Lemon Cookies for Spring

I know I'm not the only person who is ready for spring! 

 I've been throwing open the windows and enjoying the warm breeze every chance I get- and I'm totally ignoring the fact that we have a chance of snow again this weekend.

You know, I love the snow and cold- being raised in a region that is virtually seasonless has left me with quite a feeling of novelty when it comes to winter.  That being said, as soon as I get my first taste of spring-time warmth I'm done with it.  I'm suddenly reminded that shorts, flip-flops, and sunshine make me very very happy!

This time of year I enjoy bringing a little bit of that sunshine inside- and does anything taste more like sunshine than lemon?

Taste like sunshine you ask?

Yes.  I'm totally running with the lemons tasting like sunshine thing.

Because they're just so darn happy-tasting.

Yes, if something can taste like sunshine it can also taste like happy.  :-)

Last spring I made Strawberry Lemonade Cookies, and the other day I made Lavender Lemon Bars.

Today it was Light Lemon Cookies.

Sensing a trend?

These cookies are light and delicious.  Full of lemon flavor and full of happy.

I knew I wanted to finish them off with a glaze, and originally I was just going to go with lime.

Then I remembered that lavender in my spice cabinet...so I did both.  

I made two half batches of icing.  The first batch I dyed green and flavored with lime zest.  The second batch I dyed purple and flavored with crushed lavender flowers.

So.  Freaking.  Good.

I'm absolutely smitten with lavender, and I think that's pretty obvious- but that lime zest really made the other cookies shine too!

These really are a great snack when you're looking for a little bit of the sunshine when spring is being elusive.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have some warm weather to enjoy while it lasts!

Light Lemon Cookies

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 cup butter, softened 

1 1/2 cups white sugar 

2 eggs 

1 Tbsp lemon extract 

1teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until thoroughly combined. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy, about 5 minutes, then beat in eggs, one at a time, incorporating each before adding the next. Beat in the lemon and vanilla extracts. 

2. Gently mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Place dough on a sheet of wax paper and form into a 2" log. Wrap wax paper around log and chill the dough for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice log into 1/2" cookies and place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

3. Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are set and just beginning to brown at the edges, about 9 minutes; cool on baking sheets for 1 minute before removing to finish cooling on racks.

Sugar Cookie Glaze

From Allrecipes.com

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

2 tablespoons water

10 drops food coloring

1. Stir confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, and water together. Stir in food coloring (and flavoring or zest if desired). This glaze must be stirred each time you use it. If it is not stirred before each use it will dry with a mottled look instead of a solid color.