Lemon Coolers

The highly coveted box of Lemon Coolers.  So tempting from atop the cookie aisle shelf.  It was my childhood grocery store challenge, talking my mother into the purchase.  And the prize for my hard sell: an incomparable, gloriously cool and tart, buttery and delicate, lemony taste treat.  Bliss.
And now, an unboxed cookie with that cool tangy goodness, a cookie reminiscent of years past, a homemade Lemon Cooler.  Can it be true?  Yes!

Lemon Coolers

Adapted from Martha Stewart & Food.com

Ingredients:

Cookies -

1 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tbsp cornstarch

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cups butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tbsp lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons)

2 tbsp lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons)

1/2 tsp unsweetened Kool-Aid lemonade

1 tbsp vanilla extract (or 2 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp lemon extract)

Coating -

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp unsweetened Kool-Aid lemonade

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2.  For the Cookies: in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.  Set aside.

3.  Beat the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer unit it is light and creamy.  Add the powdered sugar and beat until it is fluffy.

4.  Beat in the zest, lemon juice, and Kool-Aid.  Beat in the vanilla extract.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.  Beat until smooth and well blended.

5.  Add the flour mixture to the bowl.  Beat until the dry ingredients are just incorporated.

6.  Scoop tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2" between each.  Flatten slightly (a meat pounder, glass bottom, or measuring cup dipped in flour all work well).

7.  Bake for about 8 minutes or until the bottom edges are just golden.

8.  Transfer the baking sheets to racks to cool for 8 minutes.

9.  For the Coating: combine the powdered sugar and Kool-Aid in a large tiptop bag.  Shake to mix well.

10.  Working with several cookies at a time, gently shake the cookies in the bag with the sugar mixture.  Place the coated cookies on a platter to cool completely.