Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies (Printable)
Buttery shortbread infused with lavender and lemon zest, finished with sweet lemon icing for an elegant treat.
# What You Need:
→ Shortbread Dough
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
02 - 2/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
03 - 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
04 - 1 teaspoon culinary dried lavender buds, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
→ Lemon Icing
07 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
08 - 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender buds for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Beat softened butter and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl until pale and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl sides as needed.
02 - Fold in lemon zest, chopped lavender, and salt until evenly distributed throughout the creamed mixture.
03 - Gradually add flour while mixing on low speed. Continue mixing just until dough forms and no dry flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing.
04 - Divide dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a 2-inch diameter log. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes until firm.
05 - Set oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Remove chilled dough logs from refrigerator. Slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds and arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
07 - Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until edges turn light golden brown. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in small bowl until smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with additional lemon juice if needed.
09 - Drizzle or spread icing over completely cooled cookies. Sprinkle lavender buds on top while icing is still wet. Allow icing to set for 15 minutes before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- These cookies manage to be both incredibly refined and comfortingly simple, the kind of elegant treat that makes you feel fancy without requiring any special skills
- The lemon cuts through the rich butteriness while lavender adds this dreamy floral note that makes people pause and ask what exactly theyre tasting
02 -
- Culinary lavender can be overwhelming, start with the recommended amount and you can always add more next time but you cannot undo too much floral flavor
- The chilling step is not optional, warm dough spreads into sad flat cookies instead of holding their shape
03 -
- If your dough feels too soft to slice, pop the logs in the freezer for fifteen minutes, they will cut like butter
- Room temperature ingredients are your best friend, cold butter refuses to cream properly and will leave you with tough cookies