Lemon thyme shortbread cookies

overhead shot of harsh light on lemon thyme shortbread lined up symmetrically

Lemon thyme shortbread cookies

4.73 from 33 votes

These Simple lemon thyme Shortbread Cookies are like no other cookie you have ever tasted before. Melt in your mouth lemon thyme shortbread cookies are sweet, zesty, buttery, and deliciously herbaceous.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15

Cook Time:12

Additional Time:10

Total Time:37

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened 225 grams
½ cup icing / powdered sugar 60 grams
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ cup corn starch 68 grams
1 pinch salt
2 cups all purpose flour 260 grams
Lemon peel zest from one lemon
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tablespoon dried
1/2 tablespoon Vanilla extract or lemon extract for a more pronounced lemon flavor

Instructions

Start by making a lemon thyme sugar, where all of your flavor will come from. Do this by grinding up granulated sugar, thyme leaves, and lemon zest together. I use a mortar and pestle, but a food processor works great too
Cream butter with lemon thyme sugar until fluffy. Add in your powdered sugar and cream until well incorporated.
In a medium-large bowl, sift in the flour and corn starch together and mix. Add this dry mix to your creamed butter and mix to create a dough. You may need to get your hands dirty and really mix well to incorporate all of the butter into the flour. Work it with your hands until the dough becomes a ball.
Wrap in plastic wrap and move the refrigerator to chill for thirty minutes.
When ready to bake: preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C)
On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough out about 1/3 inch thick.
Cut into desired shapes.
Bake for 10-12 minutes
Let cookies cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.If desired, top them with some fresh candied herbs or candied flower petals.

Notes

Replace thyme with any herb you prefer and the lemon with any citrus you prefer.

These shortbread cookies freeze well up to a month in an airtight container and stay fresh for up to three weeks at room temperature in a properly sealed airtight container. Their long shelf life makes them an excellent ediblle gift.

Nutrition

Cuisine: Cookies

Keyword: herbal shortbread, lemon cookie, lemon shortbread, lemon thyme shortbread cookies

Servings: cookies

Calories: 169kcal

Author: sarah