Description
This recipe guides you through making simple and delicious lemon glazed shortbread cookies. They are perfect for beginners and make a wonderful homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
- Zest of 1 lemon (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar mixture. Mix until just combined and a dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together into a ball.
- Roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies cool, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl to make the glaze. Adjust consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed.
- Once cookies are completely cool, dip the tops in the glaze or drizzle it over them.
- Let the glazed cookies sit undisturbed until the glaze has set completely, about 30 minutes to an hour.
Notes
- Store glazed shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
- Unglazed shortbread cookies can be frozen for up to a month.
- For softer shortbread, ensure your butter is properly softened.
- Do not overmix the shortbread dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Roll shortbread dough to an even thickness for uniform baking.
- Always cool shortbread completely before applying the lemon glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg