So here’s the thing. I used to hate lemon desserts. And I used to hate shortbread. But that was when I thought all lemon desserts tasted like the filling to lemon meringue pie (still grosses me out) and all shortbread was boring and flavorless.
But at some point in the last couple of years, something clicked. And while it would do my body good to become more picky about what range of desserts I will eat, my palate started to appreciate those two categories of sweets.
Some things can have a lovely lemon flavor but they don’t have to be sickeningly sweet. Shortbread can be chewy and buttery and wonderful. Who knew?
So when I had a minor baking mishap in the kitchen a few weeks ago and ended up half-way to shortbread dough, it occurred to me that I didn’t need to throw away the pound of butter that I’d already creamed. Instead, I should make lemons out of lemonade take advantage of the ingredients I had on hand and make something else.
The end result was a pleasant surprise. Chewy shortbread cookies with just the right amount of lemon- not overpowering, but refreshing. And refreshing is good when biting into a rich shortbread cookie.
If you want an even stronger lemon flavor, you could probably add some lemon zest to your batter. But I’m still easing into this lemon dessert thing so I’ll stop while I’m ahead.
Easy Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Yield: Makes 5 1/2 dozen cookies
Ingredients
4 cups all purpose flour
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
4 tablespoons lemon juice (~3 lemons)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or slipat; set aside
Sift flour; set aside
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy
Add lemon juice, vanilla and salt and beat until well combined
Stir in flour
Scoop with a medium cookie dough scoop (2 tablespoons each) onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart
Bake for ~15 minutes or until very light brown around the edges
Allow cookies to cool on cooling rack
What type of dessert did you used to hate but learn to love?
I love lemon anything! These look so soft and chewy. I would just love to break a few in half and have some right now! I could go for something lemon-y to bring spring here!
Looks like we were both thinking lemon this week:-)
I think lemon works really nicely in shortbread cookies, it’s not too overpowering but it’s sharp enough to cut through the richness of all that butter. These look delicious!
I love shortbread cookies, and lemon is such a great winter flavor :) They looks beautiful.
Wonderful with some tea:)
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I love lemony desserts and shortbread! (And chocolate of course, but that’s a given). This sounds perfectly light and buttery.
These look great. I wasn’t a fan of lemon desserts until recently. I love them now!
Oh I love lemon and shortbread…a wonderful idea to marry the two.
As for a dessert that I didn’t like and do now I am not sure I can think of one. I have had a wide ranging palate for desserts for many years.
I’m new to enjoying lemon flavors as well, but I love Shortbread cookies, I can only imagine how good these are, they look delicious.
Thanks, Dana!
I am a big fan of lemon desserts and shortbread! I do agree, lemon meringue pie can have a funky lemon flavor but most don’t taste too bad. I’ll have to keep my eye out for some more organic lemons, these look great.
I made something very similar for Christmas. Love lemon cookies and your pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you, Liz!
Sounds great! I’d definitely go the add lemon zest route sine I love lemon desserts. But even without I bet these are wonderful!
Love easy and simple desserts, this looks amazing!
These look SO delicious and I love the addition of the lemon! :)
I too used to have a hatred for lemon desserts. But, then I tried an Ina Garten lemon poundcake and officially became a convert! Love these cookies
these look goooood.. but 4 sticks, that would go straight to my tummy! :-) I would say Pumpkin Pie, that is sort of an acquired taste and it took me a while before I learned to love it.
Haha well at least it makes a big batch of cookies:-)
I used to be the same way. Now I love lemon desserts! There isn’t a dessert flavor I don’t like :)
Nothing better than a lemon cookie and a cup of tea. I can’t wait to make them myself.
Lemon and shortbread happen to be two of my favorite things. In fact, I make lemon cookies that look pretty similar to these–one of my family’s favorites. Looks like your oops turned into a winner (or, um, lemons turned into lemonade).
:-)
I didn’t fully appreciate lemon desserts until I was an adult, but now I love the balance of sweet and sour!
hahaha do you really hate that filling? I find it delicious and in here it’s almost impossible to find it, anyways the cookies look pretty good and easy to make
I think I am just weird that way:-)
I totally adore lemony desserts. That tangy sweet flavor is THE best…but you’re right, they’re better when you can actually taste the tanginess and it’s not just sweet central! I could fall in love with these cookies…I’m sure of it!
I love anything lemon and shortbread cookies are my favs. I will have to make these soon!
: ))
Jen
It was the lemon cake at Del Frisco’s that turned it around!
You are right!
I love, love, love lemon. I can’t wait to test out these cookies, they look so tasty. I wonder if you could also make them in lime… Go for a whole citrus theme!
That is such a great idea, I bet lime would be wonderful! Let me know if you try it.
Shortbread cookies are some of my favorites!! I can’t wait to try this lemon version! :)
I can’t wait to try these this weekend!
Let me know if you do!
I am new to lemon desserts. I have yet to actually bake one of my own. It is on my list though, I really want to try them. These cookies look like the perfect way to ease into it!
I totally agree with you. I didn’t used to like shortbread, but I grew to love it. These sound delicious!
~Emily~
These are just beautiful, Lauren. And might I add that your photography looks amazing?
Chewy shortbread, who knew?? My shortbread experience only goes as far as Ms. Doone and I wasn’t that impressed. I’d love to try your recipe, and the Mr. loves shortbread and lemon desserts. I’m going to score points for this one!
I’m definitely in the same “iffy-about-lemon-desserts” boat with ya! These shortbread cookies sound like the perfect cure though =)
These look so good! I’ve never made shortbread, can’ t wait to try these!
I just wanted to say, because I love hearing when people like my blog…my boyfriend clicked on your blog from your comment and now wants to make (or wants me to make, more likely ;-)) pretty much all of your recipes! They really do look wonderful!
~Emily~
Thank you so much for sharing that, Emily! You seriously made my day:-)
I’m so glad! Hopefully you know how wonderful your blog is, but it’s always nice to hear from someone else. :-)
Ooooh I love lemon desserts! These look super duper!
Great minds think alike! I made similar cookies today, with white chocolate chips in them. Lemon is something I’m learning to love in desserts…it’s my husband’s favorite, so it has to make an appearance now and then :)
I absolutely love lemon desserts! These look so good.
Uh-oh…these lemon cookies are now going to be calling my name for the rest of the day.
I love lemon desserts (although, I’ve never had a lemon meringue pie or lemon bars) but they weren’t really spectacular. I mean, you could taste the lemon, but it wasn’t refreshing.
So, I’ll definitely try this some time!
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I love a great shortbread. I’ve had some bad, but when its good..ooh, drool.
I haven’t tried flavored shortbread, but a touch of lemon sounds like it would be awesome with some tea or coffee.
I dislike fruit pies- the idea of all that sugary, cooked fruit in a thin crust isn’t very appealing to me but I have come to love apple pie with not too much filling.
I love shortbread cookies! These look so simple and delicious!
These shortbread cookies look fantastic. I’m a big, big fan of shortbread. I’ve never tried it with lemon, though – but it sounds like a great idea, considering how rich shortbread is. Delicious!
oh these cookies are adorable and look sooo good!
Saw these on photograzing…YUM! They are going on my “tomake” list :) Have a great week!
I’m the opposite – I absolutely adore lemon and lemon desserts. I can’t get enough of them!! I love the sound of these cookies – I’m sure I could eat the whole batch myself!!
I would have never thought to combine lemon with shortbread! What a wonderful idea!
these sound WONDERFUL! i recently made lemon ice cream so i’m on a big lemon kick right now!!
I adore shortbread! These kind of remind me of those Girl Scout cookies..I think they’re called Lemonades? I love those, and I bet these are delicious.
i used to hate lemon too! im coming around though…these would be lovely with a cup of english breakfast tea :) maybe for breakfast?!
Oh my goodness, lemons are my favorite!! I haven’t always been a shortbread fan either, but these would’ve made me a convert!
I’m not a huge shortbread fan, but add in lemon and I’m pretty much willing to try anything :) These cookies look delish!