Homemade Lemon Canestrelli

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 large egg yolks 2 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 8g (5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 11g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 0.3g
• Salt: 0.06g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. 2.
   Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and freshly grated lemon zest to the bowl. Mix well until fully combined.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm).
8. 8.
   Use a canestrello cookie cutter or a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies from the rolled dough. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.
9. 9.
   Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining dough.
10. 10.
    Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. 11.
    Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. 12.
    Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar.
13. 13.
    Serve and enjoy these delightful Homemade Lemon Canestrelli!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Butter — Make sure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemons, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of lemon flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the dough.
• To achieve a crumbly texture, avoid overmixing the dough.
• If you don't have a canestrello cookie cutter, you can use a round cookie cutter and create a flower shape by gently pressing the tines of a fork into the dough.

Serving advice

Serve these Homemade Lemon Canestrelli with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They also make a lovely addition to a dessert platter or as a homemade gift.

Presentation advice

Arrange the powdered sugar-dusted Homemade Lemon Canestrelli on a decorative platter or in a cookie tin for an elegant presentation. The delicate flower shape and white powdered sugar create a visually appealing display.