GLAZED LEMON COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions; heat oven to 375°F.
• In food processor, process granulated sugar and lemon zest until sugar looks damp and zest is thoroughly incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add flour, salt, and baking powder; pulse to combine, about 10 one-second pulses.
• Scatter butter chunks over; pulse until mixture resembles fine cornmeal, about 15 one-second pulses.
• In measuring cup or small bowl, beat together lemon juice, egg yolk, and vanilla with fork to combine.
• With machine running, add juice/yolk mixture in slow, steady stream (process should take about 10 seconds); continue processing until dough begins to form a ball, 10-15 seconds longer.
• Turn dough and any dry bits on counter; working quickly, gently knead together to ensure that no dry bits remain and dough is homogenous.
• Shape dough into log about 10 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap dough in parchment, and twist parchment to seal. Chill dough until firm and cold, about 45 minutes in freezer or 2 hours in refrigerator.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove dough log from wrapping and, using sharp chef's knife, slice dough into rounds 3/8 inch thick. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
• Bake until centers of cookies just begin to color and edges are golden brown, 14-16 minutes, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking time.
• Cool cookies on baking sheet about 5 minutes.
• Using wide metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack and cool to room temp before glazing.
• For the glaze: Whisk cream cheese and lemon juice in medium nonreactive bowl until no lumps remain. Add confectioners' sugar and whisk until smooth.
• To glaze the cookies: When cookies have cooled, working one at a time, spoon scant teaspoon glaze onto each cookie and spread evenly with back of spoon. Let cookies stand on wire rack until glaze is set and dry, about 1 hour.