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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Cookies

    Lemon Shortbread Cookies

    Published by Melissa on July 8, 2013 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 58 Comments

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    Featured Image for post Lemon Shortbread Cookies

    These cookies are sandy and crumbly, tart and lemony, and definitely addicting, especially if you’re a fan of lemon desserts.

    I made these cookies to take to a party and loved them so much, I made another batch the next day. I love the rich buttery cookie, the crumbly sandy texture, and the tart lemon glaze. I dressed them up with a little sparkling yellow sugar.

    Lemon-Shortbread-Cookies-Collage-Barbara-Bakes

    They’re quickly to put together and easy to roll out. The dough does need to be chilled so it’s not sticky.

    I like to roll out cookie dough on a Silpat. I also cover the dough with plastic wrap so I don’t have to add additional flour, which results in a really tender, totally scrumptious cookie. Give this one a try and let me know what you think.

    Featured Image for post Lemon Shortbread Cookies
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Lemon Shortbread Cookies

    Cook Time12 mins
    Total Time12 mins
    Course: Cookies
    Servings: 2 dozen cookies
    Author: Barbara Schieving
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Ingredients

    Cookies

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

    Icing

    • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • yellow food coloring optional
    • yellow sanding sugar optional

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch and salt and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and lemon zest. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until well blended.
    • Shape the dough in to a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour.
    • Preheat oven to 350º.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut the dough in to desired shapes. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets or cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake until lightly browned on the bottom about 10-12 minutes. Don't over bake. Cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool.
    • Icing
    • Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice and food coloring if using to create a thin glaze. Spread the glaze on each cookie and sprinkle with yellow sanding sugar before the icing dries, if using.
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    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kitchen Belleicious

      July 09, 2013 at 7:45 pm

      cute, beautiful and they look so delicious. Refreshing and full of vibrant summer flavor

      Reply
    2. My Inner Chick

      July 09, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      Yummm.
      the only thing better than butter is “Lemon and butter!!!”
      Xx

      Reply
    3. Tammi

      July 09, 2013 at 11:29 am

      These look amazing. Can’t wait to try them.

      Reply
    4. Mila

      July 09, 2013 at 3:46 am

      Davvero adorabile!!! Bravissima

      Reply
    5. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      July 09, 2013 at 1:58 am

      Delightful! I want to dip them into a glass of cold milk!

      Reply
    6. Sue {munchkin munchies}

      July 09, 2013 at 12:37 am

      Homemade shortbread cookies are the best, and I bet these are even better with the lemon glaze!

      Reply
    7. Peggy Clyde

      July 08, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      My son will love these. His favorite foods are those with lemon flavor. Have you ever tried to roll out cookies with a little powdered sugar? I use powdered sugar with every cookie I roll out. The dough never gets too stiff like it does with flour. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
    8. Emily

      July 08, 2013 at 5:41 pm

      These look divine!

      Reply
    9. Melissa B

      July 08, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      Love these! =)

      Reply
    10. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      July 08, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      I’ve got just enough lemons to make these today! I love the shape you’ve used. Normally I’m pretty lazy and just cut mine into rectangles. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Delishhh

      July 08, 2013 at 3:36 pm

      These are sooo cute! Love them.

      Reply
    12. Nessa

      July 08, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      They look so light and delicious! Also very pretty 🙂

      Reply
    13. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

      July 08, 2013 at 2:24 pm

      These are so cute!! Lovely recipe!

      Reply
    14. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen

      July 08, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Adorable little cookies!

      Reply
    15. Rocky Mountain Woman

      July 08, 2013 at 11:45 am

      lemon desserts are a favorite – I’m taking these to a barbecue next week!

      Reply
    16. kelley {mountain mama cooks}

      July 08, 2013 at 10:49 am

      Yum!! I love anything lemony and these cookies look delicious!!

      Reply
    17. Rosa

      July 08, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Pretty and tempting cookies! Lemon flavored shortbread is irresistible.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    18. Amanda

      July 08, 2013 at 7:51 am

      I would like to try this recipe, but I am confused about the dried cranberries. It doesn’t say anything about them in the instructions, and it doesn’t look like the cookies have red spots in them.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        July 08, 2013 at 8:12 am

        Thanks for catching that. Just a mistake. I made a 4th of July version with the cranberries. I hope you enjoy them.

        Reply
    19. 2sistersrecipes

      July 08, 2013 at 7:29 am

      Barbara you always seem to amaze me! These look so adorable, my grandkids would g bonkers for these!

      Reply
    20. Maria

      July 08, 2013 at 6:31 am

      These are too cute!

      Reply
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