American Classics: Iced Lemon Cookies

[Photograph: Alexandra Penfold]

As a small child I loved lemon cookies, especially anginetti, the Italian, rainbow sprinkle-bedecked, pillowy lemon cookies that made appearances at holiday parties with my mother's family. I also loved the frilly edged Archway Frosty Lemon cookies that my dad's mom used to buy.

These cookies are a hybrid of a classic Italian and a classic American treat. They're soft and chewy like a really good sugar cookie, but with more than a hint of pucker from lemon juice, zest, and extract. Best of all they're easy to make and perfect for holiday giving and sharing.