Lemon and vanilla!

   Don't those two things sound delicious together? Perfect in a cookie, right? My friend from the lab went home to Mexico last week and she brought me some delicious, aromatic Mexican vanilla extract. So what is a better way to say thank you than bake some vanilla goods and bring it to the lab? Since it's such a exquisite ingredient you don't have to go crazy and add too many things, actually the simpler dish, the better. So I decided to make some vanilla lemon cookies - simple, clean flavors that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Here is the recipe (makes 24 cookies):

*  2 cups all-purpose flour
*  1 stick of butter (softened)
*  3/4 cup sugar
*  1 egg
*  1/2 tsp baking soda
*  1/4 tsp baking powder
*  1/4 tsp salt
*  2 tsp vanilla extract
*  1 tbsp lemon zest
*  2-3 tbsp lemon juice

1. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
2. With a mixer, cream butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix all together.
3. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter and mix in. Add another half and mix until combined.
4. Layer the baking sheet with a parchment paper, scoop the cookie dough (about 1 tablespoon size) into your hands, form balls and arrange on a baking sheet spacing evenly.
5. Bake at 350F for 13-15 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

   Soft and lemony, that's the best description of these cookies. You can taste the lemon zest without overpowering a delicate vanilla, just the perfect combination. What am I going to do when I run out of this great vanilla? I guess I will just have to go to Mexico myself and get some more! Oh, well... another vacation!

Enjoy.
Magda.