Description
Delicate iced lemon lavender shortbread cookies offer a sophisticated blend of citrus and floral notes from Mediterranean regions. Delightful layers of buttery richness complement subtle herbal undertones, inviting bakers to explore elegant cookie crafting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) powdered sugar
- 0.75 cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter
- 1 zest of small lemon
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh or bottled lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp dried edible lavender
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.25 tsp coarse kosher salt
- 1 cup (237 ml) powdered sugar
- 2 tsp meringue powder
- 2.5–3 tbsps (37–45 ml) fresh or bottled lemon juice
- Dried edible lavender (for decoration)
- Lemon zest (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pulverize flour, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest, and lavender in a food processor until uniformly blended, gradually incorporating butter to create a moist, crumbly texture.
- Dough Formation: Add vanilla and lemon juice, processing until the dough coheres, then transfer to a floured surface and shape into a smooth disk, pressing evenly into a lined baking pan.
- Pre-Baking Preparation: Slice the dough into precise grid-like squares, perforating the surface with small punctures to prevent rising, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor integration.
- Baking Process: Position the oven rack in the center and heat to 300°F, baking the shortbread until edges transform to a golden-amber hue, approximately 45 minutes.
- Cookie Refinement: While warm, re-slice along original cut lines to ensure clean edges, then cool completely within the baking pan to maintain structural integrity.
- Icing and Decoration: Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and lemon juice to create a silky, pourable icing, delicately dipping cookie tops to achieve an elegant white coating.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with lavender sprigs or fresh lemon zest, allowing the icing to solidify for 4-6 hours before serving to ensure a pristine presentation.
Notes
- Chill Dough Strategically: Cold dough prevents spreading and locks in delicate herb and citrus flavors, creating a more refined texture and concentrated taste profile.
- Precision Matters: Use a sharp knife and ruler for consistently sized cookies, ensuring even baking and professional-looking presentation.
- Toothpick Technique: Piercing dough prevents unwanted rising and helps cookies maintain their elegant geometric shape during baking.
- Patience with Icing: Allow 4-6 hours for glaze to set completely, which creates a smooth, glossy finish and prevents smudging or running when handling cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg