Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread (Printable)

Buttery cookies infused with lavender and lemon, finished with sweet icing for an elegant treat.

# What You Need:

→ Shortbread Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
04 - 1 teaspoon culinary dried lavender, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour

→ Lemon Icing

07 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
08 - 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender buds for garnish

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy.
02 - Add the lemon zest, chopped lavender, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed throughout.
03 - Gradually incorporate the flour, mixing just until the dough forms a cohesive ball and all dry streaks disappear. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
04 - Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
05 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Remove the chilled dough logs from the refrigerator. Slice into rounds about 1/4-inch thick and arrange on the prepared baking sheets, leaving slight space between each cookie.
07 - Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with additional lemon juice if needed.
09 - Drizzle or spread the lemon icing evenly over the cooled cookies. Garnish with dried lavender buds if desired. Allow the icing to set completely before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly tender, like biting into a buttery cloud that melts on your tongue
  • Lemon and lavender create this sophisticated flavor profile that feels fancy but comes together with zero stress
  • These cookies keep beautifully for days, making them perfect for gifting or having something elegant on hand for unexpected guests
02 -
  • These cookies can go from perfectly golden to overbaked in literally 60 seconds, so set a timer and check them at the 14 minute mark
  • If your dough logs lose their perfect round shape in the fridge, roll them gently on the counter before slicing
  • Room temperature ingredients are the secret to proper dough formation, cold butter creates a crumbly mess that will not hold together
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife and clean it with a damp cloth between slices for the most professional looking cookies
  • If your icing is too thick, add lemon juice one drop at a time, you can always add more but you cannot take it back

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