Lemon Coolers

Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat oven to 350ºF.

Mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Add butter and vanilla; beat (or simply mix with hands) to form a smooth dough.

Drop dough by generous teaspoons onto a parchment or Silpat-lined cookie sheet; roll into balls. Bake until cookie bottoms are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Place remaining sugar in a quart-size zipper-lock bag. Working a dozen at a time, drop cookies into sugar; shake to coat. Serve. (Can be stored in an airtight tin up to 1 week.)

Makes about 2 dozen.