Description
Lemon Lavender Cookies are delicate, fragrant treats combining the bright zestiness of lemon with the subtle floral notes of culinary lavender. These soft, buttery cookies offer a perfect balance of citrus and herb flavors that evoke the freshness of spring, ideal for afternoon tea or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender, finely chopped
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and finely chopped culinary lavender until all ingredients are well combined, infusing the dough with citrus and floral flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms, ensuring not to overmix for tender cookies.
- Shape Dough: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and arrange them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading during baking.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Slightly flatten each dough ball using your palm or the bottom of a glass, promoting even baking and the signature cookie shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color, indicating they are perfectly baked without being overdone.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze (Optional): Whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth, then drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies for added sweetness and citrus brightness.
Notes
- Use only food-grade culinary lavender to ensure the best flavor and safety in the cookies.
- For a stronger lavender flavor, increase the amount to 1 ½ teaspoons, but start with less if unfamiliar with floral desserts to avoid overpowering the taste.
