Lemon Thyme Shortbread Cookies Recipe 475 Recipes

LEMON-THYME SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, beat butter at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add thyme and lemon zest, beating well.
• 2. In another large bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating at medium-low speed combine. Shape dough into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• 3. Roll dough into 3 (1 1/2 inch thick) logs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 5 days. (Dough may be frozen for up to a month.)
• 4. Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 5. Bake until lightly golden, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store in an air tight container.
• 6. Cut shortbread dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place on prepared baking sheets.
• 7. VARIATIONS: Lavender Shortbread--substitute thyme with 2 tablespoons fresh lavender chopped. While I have used both rosemary and lavender, I chose not to combine them in one cookie, instead making two batches, each with a different flavor. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you may want to try tarragon, lemon balm, or even basil as your herb of choice in this recipe.

LEMON-BUTTER SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Sift or whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl.
• Place butter in a large mixing bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until very creamy. Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and flour mixture; mix until well combined.
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a round cookie cutter. Transfer cookies to ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are light brown on the bottom but still very light on top, about 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
• Whisk melted butter and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Add lemon zest and whisk again. Whisk in confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time. Add more lemon juice if necessary for a thin consistency.
• Dip the top of each cookie in the glaze and transfer to a wire rack placed over waxed paper or parchment paper. Allow cookies to sit until glaze has set, about 2 hours.
• Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper.

LEMON THYME SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a mason jar or bowl with a tight fitting lid, mix together the granulated sugar and lemon zest, rubbing together between your fingers to release the oils. Cover tightly and set aside
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, salt and lemon juice until thoroughly combined, about 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose and cake flours. With the mixer on low, mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl in between each addition. Add the thyme and lemon zest and stir just until combined. Roll out the dough to a ¼- ½-inch-thick rectangle. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Flour a clean work surface and place cookie dough on top. Cut the refrigerated dough into 2-inch rounds (dip the cookie cutter in flour if the dough is sticking to it) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet 1 inch apart (cookies will not spread much)
• Bake the cookies until just golden at the edges, about 15-17 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with lemon sugar. Let cool completely before serving

LEMON-THYME SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F in a large bowl stir together flour, powdered sugar, cornmeal, thyme, and lemon peel. Drizzle with honey; do not stir. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling. Knead dough until smooth; shape into a ball.
• On an ungreased cookie sheet, pat mixture into a 9-inch square. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut into desired shapes; do not separate. If desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake 24 to 30 minutes or until bottom starts to brown and center is set.
• Remove from oven. While warm, remove shortbread. Cool completely on cookie sheet on a wire rack. If desired, drizzle honey over each cookie before serving and garnish with thyme sprigs. Makes 36 servings.
• To Store: Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze up to 3 months.