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Lemon Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 44 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Lemon Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and infused with fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright citrus flavor, topped with a smooth lemon glaze that adds a sweet, tangy finish.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cookies

  • 1/2 cup salted butter (softened at room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 whole lemon)

For the Lemon Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)

Instructions

  1. Lemon Shortbread
    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar
    In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and powdered sugar together until combined and smooth.
  3. Mix Dough
    Add in vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, and flour. Continue to beat until combined and dough has formed.
  4. Shape Cookies
    Divide the dough into 2 balls. Roll out each dough ball into a circle, 1/4 inch thick with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface, you could also use powdered sugar instead. Cut out cookies with a 2 inch cookie cutter and place on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown.
  5. Cool Cookies
    Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool.
  6. Lemon Glaze
    In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if its too thin, and more lemon juice if it’s too thick.
  7. Glaze Cookies
    Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the tops with the lemon glaze and let sit for a few minutes to set. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use powdered sugar or lightly floured surface to roll out the dough to avoid sticking.
  • Adjust glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice as needed.
  • Let glaze set fully before serving for best texture.