Shortbread cookies are simple and delicious. With the addition of just a few things, they are all ready for a party.
Planning for a Zoom baby shower, I was looking for a treat for us all to share together since we would not be physically present. I decided a shortbread cookie would be tasty, and would travel well for those folks who live out of the area. To make them a little more festive, lavender and lemon, two fine companions, came to mind.
There is nothing wrong with a basic shortbread cookie recipe. It’s a simple formula using butter, sugar, flour, and salt. The are flavorful, with a lovely sandy texture, and full butter flavor. But, you can add any number of different flavors to change them up. I wanted to make them special, so with just a couple additions and some simple glaze and decoration, we have a special treat.
Lots of lemon
I used a lot of lemon zest, two lemon’s worth. And a full tablespoon of crushed lavender in the recipe. But sometimes in baking, both these flavors can become muted, so I boosted them with a simple lemon glaze and sprinkling of lemon zest and florets. This resulted in flavorful cookies that did not go overboard on either flavor. You can use gluten-free baking mix, and vegan butter as well. They also freeze beautifully, both the dough and the finished cookies.
Lemon and Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Yield 3 dozen or more cookies
- Zest of two lemons, microplane
- 1 tbsp. food-grade lavender, crushed
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3 sticks of unsalted butter, very soft at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
Rub the lavender in the palms of your hand to release the oils and flavor. Add the zest and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of your standing mixer, or with a hand mixer, on medium, combine the butter and sugar until fluffy and light. You can also do this by hand in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, it just takes longer. Blend in the extracts, and add the flour, and zest/lavender mixture. Add a bit of food coloring if you want a light lavender color. Mix only until flour is combined. This is pretty fast. Pour out onto some plastic wrap and gently form into a disc. Alternately, you can roll into two logs to cut into 1/4-inch slices and bake. This is a handy way to make a batch, cook off one half and freeze the rest. Refrigerate for a half hour. You can make this the day before, or even freeze it all for another time. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Remove your dough from the refrigerator and divide in half if you haven’t already. Roll out each half on a lightly floured surface (put the second half back in the refrigerator while rolling out the first). Dip your cutter into flour and cut out your shapes. Bake for 18 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown. Let rest five minutes, then cool on a rack. Drizzle with limoncello glaze, and sprinkle with lavender flowers and lemon zest if desired.
Limoncello glaze
- 1/4 cup confectioners 10X powder
- 1 tbsp. Limoncello, or so
Place sugar in a bowl and add limoncello. Mix well with a little whisk or fork and continue to thin with more limoncello if needed. Update: Virtual baby shower a great success, we all enjoyed the cookies, near and far, and had a wonderful time.
Update on shower:
A wonderful time was held by all via Zoom.
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This is interesting, Dorothy. I’ve never seen edible lavender here but maybe in the health shops.
Yes, you can usually find it in the health food stores and co-ops in the bulk section. If no, it is available from many sources on line.
Oh, I need to share this with my friend. She’s into lavender in a big way!
She will live these then! I’m not a big sweet eater, but there’s something about the butter and lavender and lemon that sings!
My kind of cookies! Lavender does wonders in baking, especially when paired with lemon. 🙂
Thanks Ronit! It is one of my favorite flavor combinations!
I love the idea of sending cookies to participants of a Zoom party. It would really enable everyone to feel closer as they nibble on the same treats.
That’s what I thought! We love fussing over shower cakes and other treats, so a special cookie, much easier to ship, seemed to be the logical choice!
Lemon and Lavender Cookies
They sound delightful.
Thank you!
they sound so good!!!
Thanks, they were delicious!
Look so delicious Dorothy! Should be fun! ☕️☕️
I’m hoping! ❤️
Cheer up!🎼💕💗🌺
My heart. 💜🍃
Ah!
Wonderful idea!
Thank you Angela!
It will be! Good food and Dorothy’s spirit says so!🍃💐💐☕️☕️👍👍
Thank you my friend!
Woww! Those cookies are surely tempting!
Thank you! I wanted them to be pretty for the shower!
The cookies are beautiful! Is that a hand painted china with violets from Germany?
Lavender and lemon were made for each other, what beautiful cookies, I can almost taste them!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna! It really is a lovely combination.
I would very much like to try these cookies! Unfortunately, I do not have lavender. I wish I can grow it honestly. Lemon and lavender sound like the best combo ever!
They go together beautifully. You can used dried lavender or fresh.
Yes, but the dried is also hard to come by here. So I must be content looking at your delicious cookies for now.
Well, less temptation!
Your cookies look gorgeous. Lavender has such a delicate flavour.
Thank you, they were definitely the hit of the baby shower snacks. I love the flavor of lavender, and it is often underused!
I adore shortbread, but yet to make it. My husband has some Scottish blood and he would love these! Do you have a recipe print button, Dorothy. PS: I left a comment on your Haricot Verts post — delicious!!!!!!
Thank you! The print button is at the far left in the “share this” line of icons such as Tweet.
PS It’s REALLY simple to make as well!