Summer Citrus Sparkles (Lemon-Lime Sugar Cookies)

Yields: About 2 dozen
My Bakingdom

Citrus Sugar
¼ cup sugar
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest

Cookies
1½  to 2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1½  cups)
½  teaspoon baking soda (for vegan/dairy free, replace with 1 tablespoon corn starch)
¼ teaspoon baking powder (for vegan/dairy free version, increase to 1/2 teaspoon)
¼ teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature (margarine for vegan/dairy free)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg (for vegan/dairy free, replace with 3 tablespoons almond or soy milk)
1½ teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1½ teaspoons finely grated lime zest
1½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1½ teaspoons fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon vanilla

To make the sugar: Combine the sugar and both zest in a small bowl until the zest is evenly distributed; set aside. (Note: I did this last since it seemed like the sugar and zest were sticking together. I let the zest "dry out" a bit while I was baking the cookies)

To make the cookies: In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until combined, then stir in both zests and juices, as well as the vanilla. Once everything is combined, sprinkle half of the flour mixture over the top and gently mix in. Add the remaining flour mixture, mixing until no streaks of flour remain. If the dough is very sticky, add more flour, as needed, until the dough is barely tacky. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or Silpat mats. Once the dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll one tablespoon portions of dough into balls. Roll each dough ball in the citrus sugar to coat it completely, then evenly space the cookies on the prepared baking sheet(s). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges turn light golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before serving.