Name: Melting Moments
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: Australian
Ingredients: Melting Moments:; 250g (2 sticks + 1 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted (not pure icing sugar); 1 1/2 cups plain / all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornflour / cornstarch; Lemon Icing:; 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1 tsp lemon juice; Passionfruit Icing (optional alternative):; 80g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted; 4 tbsp fresh passionfruit pulp (not canned); 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Melting Moments are a beloved Australian classic—delicate, buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched with a tangy lemon or passionfruit buttercream that quite literally melt in your mouth. With their tender crumb and citrus-sweet filling, these café-style cookies are a treat worth savoring.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies have a luxuriously soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s unlike any other. They’re rich, elegant, and perfect for special occasions or afternoon tea. The lemon and passionfruit variations add a bright contrast to the buttery base, and they store well, making them perfect for gifting or make-ahead desserts.

Melting Moments

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookies:

Unsalted butter (softened)
Vanilla extract
Icing sugar / powdered sugar (soft, not pure icing sugar)
All-purpose flour
Cornflour / cornstarch

For the lemon buttercream icing:

Unsalted butter (softened)
Icing sugar / powdered sugar
Lemon zest
Lemon juice

For the passionfruit icing (optional variation):

Unsalted butter (softened)
Icing sugar / powdered sugar
Fresh passionfruit pulp
Lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) or 160°C fan-forced. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Cream the butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, vanilla extract, and icing sugar for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy. Start on low to avoid a sugar cloud.
Mix in dry ingredients: Add flour and cornflour in three batches, stirring with a spatula after each addition until a soft dough forms.
Form the cookies: Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball using lightly floured hands. Repeat to make 24–28 balls.
Flatten and bake: Place balls on prepared trays and gently press each one to about 1 cm thick with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes, swapping trays halfway through. Cool completely on the trays.
Make the lemon icing: Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar in three parts, beating well after each. Add lemon zest and juice, then beat for 2 more minutes until fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag.
Sandwich the cookies: Pipe frosting onto the flat side of half the cookies, then top with the remaining cookies.
Chill to set: Refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up the filling. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

For the passionfruit icing variation, follow the same method, substituting the lemon zest and juice with fresh passionfruit pulp and a little lemon juice.

Servings and timing

Servings: 14 sandwiched cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling/Setting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Variations

Flavor the cookies with a touch of almond or orange extract instead of vanilla.
Try flavored buttercream using raspberry, orange, or even earl grey tea infusions.
Mini Melting Moments can be made using a teaspoon of dough per cookie for daintier treats.
Gluten-free version by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend along with cornstarch.
Decorate the tops by dusting with powdered sugar or dipping half in melted white chocolate.

Storage/Reheating

Store Melting Moments in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
For longer storage, you can freeze the unfilled cookies for up to 2 months, then thaw and sandwich with frosting before serving.
Avoid freezing assembled cookies, as the frosting texture may change when thawed.

FAQs

Why are they called Melting Moments?

Because of their ultra-tender, buttery texture, they literally melt in your mouth when you bite into them.

Can I use pure icing sugar?

No, pure icing sugar contains starch and sets too firm for this recipe. Use soft icing sugar or powdered sugar.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted. If your dough feels too soft, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling.

Can I make these in advance?

Yes! Bake and store the cookies in an airtight container for a few days, then assemble with icing the day you plan to serve them.

Do I need a piping bag?

Not necessarily. You can spoon the frosting onto the cookies, but piping makes the process neater and more even.

Can I make them smaller?

Yes, use a teaspoon-sized scoop for mini melting moments—just reduce baking time by a few minutes.

What kind of passionfruit should I use?

Use fresh passionfruit pulp if possible. Avoid canned versions as they tend to be too sweet or syrupy.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and let it soften before piping.

What’s the best flour for this recipe?

Regular all-purpose (plain) flour works best. Avoid self-rising flour as it will affect the texture.

Can I add food coloring to the icing?

Yes, add a few drops of gel food coloring to match a theme or holiday.

Conclusion

Melting Moments are a timeless, elegant treat that live up to their name with every bite. Whether you fill them with tangy lemon or sweet passionfruit buttercream, these cookies are guaranteed to impress. Buttery, delicate, and bursting with citrus flavor, they’re a beautiful addition to any dessert spread or afternoon tea.