Lemon Drops

This is a great, easy cookie.  I'm a huge fan of cookie recipes that you only need one bowl for everything.  The less dishes the better.  The lemon isn't overpowering at all, it gives you a nice light cookie that you will eat a lot of.  If you are in quick need of a cookie for something, this is it.  The best part is that once they come out of the oven, you put a lemon glaze on top of each cookie and then sprinkle with colored sugars or chopped yellow gum drops. 

I know it's a little early for Christmas colors
but it was all I had

I had made and baked off all of these cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish.  If I had paid more attention I'm guessing it would be in the 20 minute range.  That easy and quick.  While the first batch of cookies is in the oven I made the lemon glaze and then while I took 2 sheets out and put 1 in I brushed the tops of each cookie with the glaze and then sprinkled with the colored sugar.  The glaze and topping part is great for those of you who have kids who want to help out in the kitchen.  This would work well with lime or orange as well. 

Lemon Drops

makes about 36 cookies

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

4 tsp lemon peel

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 cups all purpose flour

Lemon Glaze

Coarse Sugar

Yellow gum drops, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.  In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium-high speed for 30 seconds.  Add the sugar, lemon peel, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Beat until combined, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally.  Beat in egg, sour cream and lemon juice until combined.  Add in flour and beat until combined.
2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 3" apart onto prepared cookie sheets.  Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are golden and tops are firm.  Transfer cookies to wire rack.  Brush tops of warm cookies with Lemon Glaze.  Sprinkle with coarse sugar and/or chopped gumdrops.  Let cookies cool.
3. Lemon Glaze: In a small bowl stir together 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tbsp lemon juice.