Lemon And Black Pepper Slice And Bake Cookies Food

LEMONY SLICE-AND-BAKES

Steps:

• For cookies:
• Whisk flour and salt in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large bowl, occasionally scraping down sides, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks; beat just to blend. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture and beat, occasionally scraping down sides, just to blend. Divide dough in half; roll each half into a 10"-long log about 1 3/4" in diameter. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• Arrange racks in lower and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap 1 dough log. Using a sharp, lightly floured knife, cut log into 1/4"-thick rounds. Transfer to prepared sheets, spacing 1" apart.
• Bake until cookies are firm and golden brown around edges, 16-18 minutes. Let cool for 1 minute, then transfer to wire racks and let cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough log, using cooled baking sheets and new parchment paper.
• For icing:
• Whisk sugar and 2 tablespoons juice in a small bowl, adding more juice by 1/2-teaspoonfuls if too thick. Add coloring, if desired. Spread or drizzle icing over cookies. Decorate as desired. Let stand until icing sets, about 10 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

LEMON-BLACK PEPPER CORNMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, cornmeal, black pepper and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter, sugar, and zest in a bowl with electric mixer, beginning on low and increasing to medium-high speed, until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg yolks, and beat to combine well.
• Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and beat on low speed just until blended: dough will be crumbly.
• Press the dough together with your hands and divide in half.
• Place each half on a sheet of wax paper and form each piece into a 10X1-3/4 inch log.
• Smooth each log with dampened fingers.
• Chill the logs, wrapped in wax paper, for at least 3 hours, or until very firm.
• At least 25 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400-degrees.
• Butter 2 large nonstick baking sheets.
• Cut each log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and arrange the rounds 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
• Bake, 1 sheet at a time (or, if using 2 sheets, rotate halfway through baking), until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer to rack and let cool.