Frosted Lemon Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 None lemon, zested and juiced
3/4 cup sugar
1 None large egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 tbsp meringue powder
None None red food coloring

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
In a mixer, beat butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds, or until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat for 30 seconds. Add lemon zest and sugar. Beat for 1 min. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Beat for 1 min. Reduce speed to low and add flour. Mix until dough just comes together. Shape into 2 - 8 inch long cylinders, wrap in wax paper and chill or freeze until firm.
Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices. Transfer to a greased baking pan and bake for 8-10 mins, until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Let cool on pan for 5 mins then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
To make the royal icing, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 6-8 tbsp water for 5-7 mins, or until thick and white. Divide in half. Tint 1 portion with red food coloring. Transfer white and red royal icing to piping bags fitted with plain tips and decorate as desired. Set aside to dry for 4 hours, or overnight.