Crispy Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
These crispy lemon lavender shortbread cookies offer a delicate balance of bright lemon zest and subtle floral lavender, creating a perfectly crisp and fragrant treat ideal for tea time or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened (preferably European-style)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds (food-grade)
- Zest of one large lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat 1 cup (227g) softened unsalted butter with ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the zest of one large lemon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until evenly combined.
- Gently fold in 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds and ¼ teaspoon salt, distributing evenly.
- Gradually sift in 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until dough starts to come together but remains slightly crumbly.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and press gently into a ball. Add a teaspoon of cold water at a time if too crumbly.
- Roll dough out to about ¼ inch (6mm) thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters or knife, or shape into small rounds or logs and slice.
- Place cookies about 1 inch (2.5cm) apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are delicately golden brown, watching closely after 12 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling if kitchen is humid to improve handling and texture. Use softened butter, not melted, to achieve crisp texture. Watch cookies closely near end of baking to avoid dryness. Parchment paper prevents sticking and burning. For gluten-free, substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter but expect softer texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 1
Keywords: lemon shortbread cookies, lavender cookies, crispy cookies, homemade treats, easy cookie recipe, floral cookies, lemon zest cookies, tea time cookies