Description
Zesty lemon slice-and-bake cookies bring Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen with minimal effort. Buttery, crumbly shortbread infused with fresh lemon zest creates a delightful treat you’ll savor with afternoon tea or share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 130 g (½ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes
- 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 30 g (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 18 g (2 tablespoons packed or ¼ cup) lemon zest
Binding Ingredient:
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Massage lemon zest into granulated sugar, releasing aromatic oils. Incorporate softened unsalted butter, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce a room-temperature large egg and freshly squeezed lemon juice, blending thoroughly until smooth and uniform.
- Sift all-purpose flour gradually into the wet ingredients, folding gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Partition the dough into two equal segments. Roll each portion into uniform cylindrical logs approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) in diameter.
- Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 40 minutes or refrigerate for 4-5 hours to solidify and enhance flavor development.
- Position oven rack in the center. Preheat to 350°F (177°C). Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove dough logs and slice into 1/5-inch (0.5 centimeters) thick rounds using a sharp knife. Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes until edges turn delicately golden. Turn off oven and allow cookies to rest inside for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack. Let cookies sit for 5 minutes to stabilize, then carefully move to wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Freezing the dough logs ahead transforms these cookies into a make-ahead dessert, perfect for spontaneous baking or unexpected guests.
- Zesting lemons releases vibrant citrus oils, enhancing the cookie’s bright, refreshing flavor profile without overwhelming sweetness.
- Precise slicing ensures uniform cookies that bake evenly, creating a professional-looking treat with minimal effort.
- Letting cookies rest in the turned-off oven helps achieve a delicate, crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
- Chilling the dough develops deeper flavors and prevents spreading, resulting in beautifully shaped, tender cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg