Lemon Shortbread Cookies

a lemon shortbread cookie on a white background

These lemon shortbread cookies are bursting with bright lemon zest and are melt-in-your-mouth soft. Shortbread is made without eggs, but are tender from the powdered sugar and sifted flour. The lemon zest adds a good amount of zing for everyone who is a fan of lemon baked goods.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 10

Cooling Time 10

Total Time 1 20

Course Dessert, Snack

Servings

Calories 135 kcal

Ingredients

125 g unsalted butter, or oil-based butter (see Note 1)
30 g icing sugar
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
5 ml (1 tsp) lemon extract
160 g all-purpose or plain flour, sifted (see Note 2)
1 (approx. 2 tsp) lemon zest

Instructions

Cream the butter and icing sugar in a bowl until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest until evenly incorporated.
Gradually add the flour and mix carefully by hand or with a mixer, avoiding overmixing to prevent dense dough.
Shape the dough into a log or flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Slice the log into ½cm thick rounds or use a cookie cutter if flattened.
Place on a lined tray and bake for 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
Let the cookies cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

Note 1 - Butter

I have made this recipe with Nuttelex (an oil based butter) as a dairy-free alternative and have had no issues with the texture, taste or final product. You want the butter to be slightly softened (no need for it to come to room temperature as this will make the dough harder to form)

Note 2 - Flour

Sifting is necessary for the super soft, melt in your mouth texture. I made this recipe without sifting the flour and you really can tell the difference.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 6mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Christmas cookies, Cookie recipe, Lemon Cookie, Shortbread Cookie

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