Brighten up your baking with these irresistibly buttery Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies! Infused with the zesty aroma of fresh lemon and the subtle crunch of poppy seeds, these melt-in-your-mouth treats are the perfect blend of tangy and sweet. This recipe combines simple ingredients like soft unsalted butter, fragrant lemon zest, and rich vanilla for a luxurious yet approachable cookie dough thatβs chilled to perfection before baking. Whether slice-and-bake or crafted into delicate shapes, these golden shortbread cookies bake to tender perfection with just a hint of crispness around the edges. Ideal for everything from afternoon tea to holiday platters, these cookies are a delightful way to add a citrusy twist to a classic favorite.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and poppy seeds.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Transfer the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Shape it into a log about 2 inches in diameter or flatten it into a disk if using cookie cutters. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Preheat your oven to 160Β°C (325Β°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
If shaping the dough into rounds, slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch thick discs and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. If using cookie cutters, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just starting to turn golden. Avoid over-baking to keep the cookies tender.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Calories |
3079 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 194.3 g | 249% | |
| Saturated Fat | 117.8 g | 589% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 496 mg | 165% | |
| Sodium | 1221 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 309.2 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.8 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 102.4 g | ||
| Protein | 32.3 g | 65% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 372 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 14.0 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 516 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.