1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Preheating is crucial for achieving that perfect bake. You want the cookies to rise correctly and develop a lovely golden color.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until combined and set aside. This step ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Beat on medium until creamy and smooth. You want a fluffy consistency.
4. In a small bowl, rub granulated sugar and lemon zest together. Add this mixture to the butter mixture and blend until smooth.
5. Add the juice of ½ lemon to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
6. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients. This gradual addition helps prevent flour from flying everywhere.
7. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and mix until the flour mixture is fully combined. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes.
8. Once chilled, roll the cookie dough into little balls, about a tablespoon of dough per cookie. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are very slightly browned. Let cool on cookie sheets.
10. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth.
11. Dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze and let them sit until the glaze hardens.
