Sweet and buttery, Lemon Shortbread Cookies are simple cookies perfect for holidays, special events or just as a treat for lemon lovers.
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This morning the birds outside our window were chirping up a storm. A sound we haven’t heard in months at that time of the morning.
My husband, not being a morning person, didn’t find the same magic in it that I did.
I have to admit though, I was as excited about hearing his grumblings as I was about the happy little chirping because his morning grumps are quite entertaining. But this is beside the point.
Hearing that enthusiastic little bird was a reminder that Spring is here and it is putting me in the mood for all my favorite Spring recipes like Simple Strawberry Salmon Salad, Springtime Pasta Salad and Avocado Egg Salad.
It also was a reminder to start preparing for Easter.
Honestly, what is better treat for the complete lemon lover than buttery, melt in your mouth Lemon Shortbread Cookies.
These cookies were completely soul satisfying for my lemon loving heart and my family adored them too.
What Is Shortbread
A traditional Scottish cookie (biscuit), shortbread is made of 1 part sugar to 2 parts butter and 3 parts flour. Often you will find the traditional recipes to be made with oat flour and or a combination of oat flour and cornstarch. Here in the U.S. most shortbread recipes will be made with all-purpose flour.
How To Make Melt In Your Mouth Lemon Shortbread Cookies
There are a few tricks to making Out of This World lemon shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth.
- Room temperature butter allows for a better texture with this particular cookie. In addition, it is easier to mix with the lemon zest.
- Properly measuring the flour will make a world of difference in creating the melt in your mouth texture. To do so, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level with a butter knife. This step will prevent the flour from becoming too compacted, thereby creating a dry cookie.
- Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment will make this already easy cookie a complete breeze to make. Not sure which stand mixer is for you? You will want to check out this article.
- Don’t over mix the dough. It is also important to not over mix the butter and sugar as you do not want to add extra air into the dough. Mix the sugar and butter until just combined and then add in the flour and mix until it just comes together.
- Sparkling Sugar mixed with lemon zest for the top of the cookies not only makes these gorgeous, but also adds in a little extra tasty pizzaz.
Cutting Shortbread Cookies
There are two approaches for cutting the shortbread cookies.
- Cut by hand using an approximate guess of what 1 inch by 3 inches would look like. There are no worries as the cookies do not need to be perfectly cut in those dimensions.
- Use this cookie cutter.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use salted butter for these cookies?
Yes and no. I have, in a pinch, used salted butter in baking when I did not have unsalted on hand. It does change the sweetness of these cookies slightly and it is extremely important to eliminate the salt if doing so.
Your best bet though for the highest quality of cookie will be to follow the recipe exactly, using unsalted butter.
Do these Lemon Cookies freeze well?
If placed in an airtight freezer container these cookies will stay fresh for 6-8 weeks.
What events are these cookies best for?
Easter, Christmas, baby showers, summer holidays and get togethers are all perfect times to make these lemon cookies. Also, if you love lemons, these cookies are wonderful anytime of year.
What is the best way to zest a lemon?
For these lemon cookies a fine zest will work best. This tool is my favorite for doing this.
How can I use the leftover zested lemons?
I love the question! Juice the lemons using this tool and make Simple Herbed Lemon Vinaigrette, One Pot Lemon Chicken and Rice or Mediterranean Tuna Salad.
More Springtime Desserts
Vanilla Bean Blueberry Dream Cupcakes
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 lg lemons zested
- 3/4 lb unsalted butter *room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour *see notes above one how to measure
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cookie Topping
- 1 lg lemon zested
- 1/4 cup Sparkling Sugar
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment mix together softened butter with zest of 2 lemons making sure to scrape down sides halfway through mixing.
- Mix granulated sugar with butter just until combined and then mix in lemon extract.
- Sift together flour and salt. With stand mixer turned off, add all of the flour mixture and mix on the lowest speed until dough just comes together, about 2 mins.
- Place dough on lightly floured surface and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 mins.
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Zest 3rd lemon and mix with sparkling sugar.
- Roll chilled dough into 1/2 inch thickness and form into a rectangle as best as possible. Using a sharp knife cut cookies into 1 inch by 3 inch rectangles.
- Using a spatula place cookies on 2 ungreased cookie sheets. Evenly sprinkle each cookie with sparkling sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 mins or until corners turn a light golden brown, making sure to turn cookie trays halfway through baking. Let cookies cool on cookie sheets.
Notes
Nutrition
Judy Beall says
Can this recipe be done as a bar cookie. I have never been successful with cookies that require cutting
Heather says
That is such a good question Judy. I haven’t made these cookies like that but now I am very interested in trying. If you do give a shot, please let me know how they turnout.
Sheila says
So many shortbread recipes are made into a roll then sliced. Would this work? I’d like to make the dough now and bake closer to an event in a few weeks.
Heather says
Hi Sheila.
This is such a good question. I haven’t attempted making the dough ahead of time as it only requires 30 minutes of chilling time. I am not fully sure how it will turn out and how challenging it may be to cut the dough.
I do apologize but please let me know if you get a chance to make them.
S Chick says
I thought this was too much flour. Is it an error? The dough was way to dry even with 2 cups flour like my other shortbread.
Heather says
Hi Shelley,
This recipe was adapted from Ina Garten’s 5 start rated shortbread recipe with the only changes being lemon zest, lemon extract and sparking sugar. This dough is meant to be dry and crumbly as you will see reflected in the comments on Ina’s recipe.The wrapping in plastic wrap and chilling is what brings the dough together. Please feel free to look around the comments on Ina’s recipe and let me know if there is any additional questions I can be a support with.https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/shortbread-cookies-recipe-1945855
Emma says
Wonderful recipe. Traditional consistency and crunch with a bit of a lemon flare.
Heather says
I am so glad to hear that Emma. We adore this shortbread recipe. Thank you for taking the time to make the recipe and also rate it!
Ally O'Connor says
Melt in Your Mouth Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Hi! These look so good!
I have CK Products White Sugar Crystals. Is that the same as Sparkling sugar?
Thanks! Ally-O in NJ
Heather says
Hi Ally! This is such a good question. Honestly, I am not familiar with that brand but this is what I used so hopefully seeing the product may help. https://amzn.to/3e2azwS
CC says
Just made these. Overall not bad. They spread a tad at the bottom while the top edges stayed sharp. I wonder if it’s due to the butter being room temperature instead of very cold? They also didn’t taste very lemony. I would perhaps up the lemon zest and extract. Or try a lemon glaze. I did just roll into a log that was roughly 1×3 inches and then sliced into individual cookies after chilling and it was very easy to do.
Heather says
Love hearing your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to make then and to rate the recipe.
Barb Gilmartin says
Great lemon shortbread cookie. This is my third time making. I now keep them in the freezer in case of company.
Heather says
I love hearing that. Thank you for giving the recipe and try and coming back to comment.
Shiloh Force says
Just made this recipe to make cutout stars for a Super Mario birthday party. The first batch held its shape pretty well, but they still spread a bit and had slightly more rounded edges than I wanted for a customer order. So on the second batch, I replaced 1/2 cup of the flour with corn starch, and that really turned the trick! Beautiful sharp edges, tender melt away crumb, and a lovely light lemon frangrance that is subtle and pairs quite well with vanilla royal icing. As others have noted, if you really want a pop of lemon flavor, pair these with a simple glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice (I like to put a spoonful of wildflower honey in mine for shine and depth of flavor).
Heather says
Love the suggestions. Thank you!!