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4.3 from 89 votes

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

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By: Joanna Cismaru 35 Comments

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Lemon Shortbread Cookies – Classic shortbread with a lemony twist. Using only 4 ingredients and festive decorations, fill your house with the wonderful aroma of Christmas just in time for the holidays.

Table of Contents

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  • What Ingredients Are in Lemon Shortbread Cookies
  • How to Bake Shortbread Cookies
  • Can You Freeze Shortbread Cookies
  • Craving More Cookies? Try These:
  • Lemon Shortbread Cookies
a pile of shortbread cookies decorated for christmas

I hope you guys are baking along with me because I’ve been having loads of fun. If you enjoy baking as much as I do, let’s get it done! Today, I have for you the easiest shortbread cookie ever, and this is actually the same as my classic shortbread cookie recipe but loaded with lemon zest and lemon juice.

What Ingredients Are in Lemon Shortbread Cookies

I love these cookies because they only require 3 ingredients, flour, butter and powdered sugar, then add whatever flavorings you like, in this case lemon. If you wanted a chocolate shortbread cookies, just add some cocoa powder.

shortbread cookies, freshly cut, ready to be baked in the oven.

Normally I just cut these cookies using a knife, but being Christmas and all, I wanted to use all my fancy cookie cutters and cut out some cute shapes. You could also just pat the dough in an ungreased cookie sheet, bake them and then cut them, whatever works for you.

shortbread cookies, freshly cut, ready to be baked in the oven.

How to Bake Shortbread Cookies

These cookies bake quickly, all they need are around 12 minutes in the oven and they are done. You should have enough dough to make about 3 dozen cookies but it really all depends on how big you cut them.

Can You Freeze Shortbread Cookies

Yes, absolutely! These cookies freeze incredibly well. To freeze, place shortbread cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

shortbread cookies freshly baked out of the oven

Because it’s Christmas we decided to go nuts and have some fun decorating these cookies, but you don’t have to. We decorated them with melted chocolate, white, green, red, and salted caramel, hey don’t judge.

Normally I would just ice them with some lemon icing and make them all fancy and stuff, but this was about having fun. Of course, you don’t have to decorate them at all, simply enjoy them as they are because they do have a wonderful lemon flavor.

a pile of festively decorated shortbread cookies on a cooling rack

Craving More Cookies? Try These:

  • Lemon Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  • Thumbprint Cookies
  • Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookies
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of christmas decorated lemon shortbread cookies
4.33 from 89 votes

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cook 20 minutes minutes
Total 25 minutes minutes
36
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Lemon Shortbread Cookies – Classic shortbread with a lemony twist. Using only 4 ingredients and festive decorations, fill your house with the wonderful aroma of Christmas just in time for the holidays. 
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Video

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups butter (salted, softened)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325℉. If cutting out cookies with cookie cutters, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Add the butter to the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth on medium speed. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest to the mixer bowl and continue mixing on low until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour and mix until well blended.
  • Pat dough into ungreased cookie sheet. Alternatively you can roll out the dough until it is about ¼ inch in thickness and cut them to your desired shape. I placed parchment paper on my cookie sheet but its not necessary.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes until just done (slightly golden in color). Do not let it get brown. Remove from oven and let cool for a couple minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  • Decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles or dip them in melted chocolate.

Notes

  1. Note: Video above is for the Shortbread Cookies which is similar. This recipe basically has the addition of lemon juice and lemon zest.
  2. You can put this dough in the fridge ahead of time if you want to bake them later. Allow the dough to warm up on the counter before rolling, to make it easier to work with.
  3. To freeze, place shortbread cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 119kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Cholesterol: 20mg (7%)Sodium: 1mgPotassium: 14mgSugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 235IU (5%)Vitamin C: 0.7mg (1%)Calcium: 4mgIron: 0.5mg (3%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of christmas decorated lemon shortbread cookies

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

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