Traditional Portuguese Washboard Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Using your mixer, cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar for about a minute or so, or until creamy and light. Crack the eggs in one at a time, beating well in between each one. You're done when your batter is light and fluffy and is sort of a pale yellow. Took me about 2½ minutes. Mix in the lemon zest.
2. In a separate bowl, wisk together the flour, salt and the baking powder.
3. Using a big spoon, fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture and mix well.
4. Knead the dough in the bowl for about 5 minutes.
5. I did use my Kitchen Aid for this using the dough attachment on the lowest setting.
6. Using a pan, sprinkle the ¼ cup of sugar on the pan.
7. Shape the dough into balls that are about one and a half inches.
8. Roll each bowl in the sugar until completely coated and place on a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet about an inch to two inches apart.
9. Use a fork to gently flatten the balls with the fork tines creating lines in the dough.
10. This is where the washboard name comes from.
11. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a lightly golden color.

You can wait for them to cool, but they are amazing warm. Serve with a glass of milk, cup of tea or steaming mug of coffee. 

Photo Credit: Nicole Cook, dailydishrecipes.com 

Recipe Adapted from Portuguese Homestyle Cooking, portuguesecooking.com