Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Delicious Lemon Shortbread Cookies with a zesty flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- small food processor
- Large bowl
- handheld mixer
- Stand Mixer
- cookie cutter
- baking sheets
- Cooling Rack
- Whisk
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
Cookies
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- coarse sparkling sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Icing (Optional)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon milk any kind, heavy cream, or half-and-half
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- fresh lemon zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cookie Preparation
- Place the sugar and lemon zest in a small food processor and pulse several times until the sugar is moistened and lemon zest is finely chopped.
- In a large bowl, beat the lemon sugar and butter together on high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the lemon juice and vanilla, and beat until combined.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, and salt and beat on low speed for 1 minute. Then beat on medium speed until the dough clumps together, about 1-3 minutes.
- Dust parchment paper with flour, roll the dough out to about ¼ to ½ inch thick, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut the dough into shapes with a cookie cutter, and lightly sprinkle coarse sparkling sugar on top if desired.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes until edges are set and starting to turn golden. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.
- For the icing: whisk confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip cooled cookies in icing and allow to dry.
- Enjoy cookies right away or wait until the icing sets.
Notes
Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Iced cookies can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.1mg
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