Hey, everyone!! Happy New Year! (I'm a little late in saying that, forgive me). This year I plan on making wayyyyy more booky cookies, and I can't wait! I especially LOVE seeing people use these recipes to create a little cookie magic in their homes, keep em' coming :))
Okay so January's Booky Cookie is inspired by Mara Rutherford's CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL.
If possible, order it on amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound, or go grab it from your library. You will not regret it!!
Here's the synopsis:
For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…
Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.
Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen…and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.
SOUNDS INCREDIBLE RIGHT?
Mara Rutherford is...so talented, and her books are magical. This story pulls you in from the first line, and doesn't let you go, even after you've finished. I'm committed to Nor's and Zadie's adventure! Who's excited for KINGDOM OF SEA AND STONE?
Anyyyyyway, onto the cookies. These are lemon melts (like sugar cookies, only thicker and softer). I wanted do something artful here, that reminded me of the cover art which I absolutely adore. For this, I got creative with a tie-dye application---a lemon juice powdered sugar glaze that's light and easy to mix. I wanted the impression of tie-dye, and I think this worked.
Here's the recipe:
Lemon Cookies
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted room temperature butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large egg yolks
Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Food coloring
Edible & decorative pearls!
How to make the cookies:
Whisk flour and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
You can use an electric mixer or a stand-mixer. 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; just to blend.
Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture and beat, occasionally scraping down sides, just to blend.
Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop with small ice cream scoop, and flatten the tops. Transfer to prepared sheets, spacing 1" apart.
Bake until cookies are firm, 14–16 minutes.
Transfer to wire racks and let cool
Icing:
Whisk sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl, adding more juice by 1/2-teaspoonfuls if too thick.
Divide into however many colors you want to make, 1 color per bowl.
Add coloring, and mix until combined.
Scoop colors onto plate, making a design if you like.
Dip the tops into the design and decorate with sanding sugar or pearls or whatever your heart desires!
Let stand until icing sets, about 20 minutes
ENJOY!!
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