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Description
Make zesty lemon shortbread cookies, a tangy and buttery treat perfect for any occasion. This recipe provides a simple guide to creating these classic cookies at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 2 medium lemons)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (optional, for glaze)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about ½ inch thickness and cut into desired shapes (rounds, squares, fingers), or form it into a log, chill for 30 minutes, then slice.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies should still be pale in the center.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Lemon Glaze: While cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies.
Notes
- For a richer lemon flavor, increase the amount of lemon zest.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg