Description
These lemon shortbread cookies are buttery, tender, and bright with citrus flavor. Finished with a tangy lemon glaze, they’re perfect for tea time, gifts, or anytime you want a melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a zesty kick.
Ingredients
- 220 g (16 tablespoons) salted butter, room temperature (or unsalted + ½ teaspoon kosher salt)
- ¾ cup (≈ 88 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (≈ 260 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the lemon icing:
- 130 g (1 cup + 2 tablespoons) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter, lemon zest, vanilla, and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half. On plastic wrap or parchment, shape each half into an 8-inch log and wrap tightly. Stand logs upright in glasses and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice chilled logs into ⅓-inch discs (about 35 cookies total) and place on parchment-lined baking sheet 1 inch apart.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 13–15 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and thick. Dip cooled cookies into glaze, letting excess drip off. Let icing set before storing.
Notes
- Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 1 month before baking.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor.
- Glaze is optional but adds a sweet-tart finish.
- Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
