Lemony Cut-Out Cookies Wins the Blue Ribbon in the San Diego County Fair's New Cookie Challenge

Rozanne Gooding has won 1st place in the new Gold Medal Flour Scratch Bakers Cookie Challenge at the San Diego County Fair for her Lemony Cut-Out Cookies. For her prize, Rozanne wins a $100 cash prize, a blue ribbon and a complimentary bag of Gold Medal flour. The juice and zest of fresh Meyer lemons (plus some lemon liqueur: limoncello) gives the Lemony Cut-Out Cookies a flavor that pops; a hint of coconut oil adds a tropical element.

Runner-up awards went to Teresa Collins for her Toffee Pecan Chocolate Chippers and Alberta Dunbar for her Chocolate Dipped Surprise Cookies.

Check out the blue ribbon winning recipe below!

Gold Medal Flour Scratch Bakers Cookie Challenge
Rozanne Gooding of Carlsbad, 1st Place, 2013 San Diego County Fair

Lemony Cut-Out Cookies

Cookie:

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 Tablespoons coconut oil, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

3 Tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 cups Gold Medal Flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon real vanilla bean

Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/8 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice

2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Lemon Curd:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 Tablespoons limoncello liqueur

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For the cookie: combine butter, coconut oil, sugar and egg with electric mixer until smooth. Add lemon juice, lemon peel and mix until blended. Add flour, baking powder, salt and vanilla bean. Mix on low until blended, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out the dough with enough flour so your hands do not stick to dough. Cut out in preferred shapes (Rozanne did the letters U, S and A) and place on baking stone (Rozanne's preference) or nonstick baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges turn brown. Cool completely. For icing: combine ingredients, mix and set aside. For lemon curd: Whisk butter and sugar; add eggs and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat until thickens. Add lemon juice, zest, liqueur and mix. Let cool and refrigerate to chill. For finishing steps: spoon icing onto cut-out cookie. Smooth a layer of lemon curd over the icing. Top with fresh raspberries and blueberries dipped in melted white chocolate for a red, white and blue theme. *Rozanne cut out letters into USA for the July 4 holiday and presented it with a red, white and blue theme since the Gold Medal Contest was on July 4.