Description
Delight in the delicate floral flavor of Lavender Shortbread Cookies, infused with fragrant dried lavender buds and bright lemon zest. These buttery cookies are perfectly crisp and topped with a tangy lemon glaze for a sophisticated treat ideal for afternoon tea or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 1 to 1½ cups (120–180 g) powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon dried lavender buds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare lavender sugar: Process granulated sugar and dried lavender buds in a food processor for 10–15 seconds to evenly infuse the sugar with floral notes.
- Add lemon zest: Incorporate lemon zest into the mixture and pulse until the texture resembles wet sand, enhancing aroma and flavor.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat the softened unsalted butter with the lavender lemon sugar blend for 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Chill dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up, making it easier to handle and shaping.
- Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
- Portion dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake cookies: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden, indicating a perfectly crisp texture.
- Cool cookies: Transfer cookies to a rack and let them cool completely to prepare them for glazing.
- Make lemon glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and drizzle this glaze over the cooled shortbread cookies for a sweet, tangy finish.
- Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with dried lavender buds to add a decorative and aromatic touch to your glazed cookies.
Notes
- Ensure butter is fully softened for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and crumbly.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the cookie shape during baking.
- Adjust lemon juice in glaze to control thickness; add more sugar for thicker glaze.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
