These simple Lemon Basil Shortbread cookies feature tangy lemons and kick of peppery basil for a fabulous combination.
I used to make my mom shortbread cookies of some variation for her birthday and she would taste one then hide the rest from my dad.
These are not a "mindless eating" type of cookie. Love you Dad, but you know it's true.
Shortbread cookies are meant to be savored. Pure simple ingredients.
Ingredients and Options for Lemon Basil Shortbread
Classic shortbread has only 3 ingredients: flour, sugar and butter. Well, if you use unsalted butter, it is four ingredients because you need a little salt.
It is intentionally simple and the flavors blend together perfectly.
If you want to start swapping different flours, sugar substitutes or butter substitutes you are welcome to try. I cannot guarantee the results.
This is one recipe I will not tamper with the basics. But, I will add in ingredients for extra flavor.
I used fresh basil for these, but you can use other fresh herbs. Lemon rosemary and lemon lavender are another two of my favorite flavor combinations.
Instead of lemon you could go with another citrus such as lime or orange or even grapefruit. Toss in a nice complimentary herb (rosemary, thyme, lavender, etc.) and you have a simple and delicious cookie. Or is it a simply delicious cookie?
Lemon Basil Shortbread
Ingredients
- 1 lemon (or preferred citrus)
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil (or preferred herb)
- 1 pound salted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Using a fine grater or other zesting tool, zest the lemon. Finally chop the basil leaves.
- Cube butter into roughly ½ inch cubes. Put in a large bowl with flour, sugar and half of the lemon zest and basil.
- Gently combine with your fingers to make a soft dough. Roll into 2 cylinders about 2-3" wide and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Slice cookies ¼" thick and place an inch apart on cookie sheets.
- Turn down oven to 275°F and bake until cookies turn a slightly rosy color (just as they begin to brown). Allow to cool completely
- Juice the lemon into a small bowl or cup. In a small bowl add powdered sugar and remaining zest and basil. Thin to desired consistency with lemon juice.
- Spoon glaze over each cookie, allow to harden.
Notes
Sound fabulous? Share it!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook
Oooh I love shortbread. What a wonderful idea, can't wait to give these a try!
Audrey
My mom loved them! I snuck 2 and they were fabulous.
Ashley@cheesecurdinparadise
I love this idea of using shortbread cookies! The glaze looks delicious!
Audrey
The simple sweetened lemon glaze is my favorite part of these.
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade
Great idea making cookies and shortbread is a perfect base for just about any flavor.
Audrey
I agree! I love them plain most of all, but when I want to experiment they lend themselves well to a wide variety of ingredients.
Kathleen
Thanks Audrey they look great. I would never have thought to put basil in. I just started growing some so I am loving all things basil. Nice pics too.
Audrey
I usually do rosemary since I have two hard to control bushes in the yard, but the basil gave it a more peppery kick instead of a bit more floral in the rosemary. Both awesome.
Jen@The Evolution of Mom
What the what???? I'm going to try these. I love basil! Thanks for linking up at the Momma Told Me Link Party!
~jen
Audrey
I had to buy basil for this since the freak snowstorm killed my basil plant. Usually we can grow it year round here.
Winnie
These are such great and super-unique cookies!!
I happen to looooooove basil, so I really must try this recipe
Pinning
Audrey
Thanks so much, Winnie! It means so much coming from you.
Erlene
What an unexpected ingredient in a cookie. I've never tried putting herbs in a cookie, but it would be nice to try 🙂
Kathleen
Hi Audrey,
I just wrote a little post on herbs and I linked to your Lemon & Basil shortbread for others to enjoy. Here is the post http://60-thenew40.com/growing-herbs-and-cooking-with-herbs/
Thanks
Audrey
Wow! Thanks, Kathleen! Obviously I use and cook with them a lot.
Brittany
What a unique twist on the shortbread cookie! I bet it's delicious. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope you join us again next week 🙂
Gentle Joy
I never would have put those ingredients together... but it actually sounds wonderful! Good job. 🙂
Kara
Sounds like an interesting, but refreshing combination of ingredients! I love basil and shortbread so it's something I'd like to try. I'll have to save this recipe for later!
Jess
I love fresh herbs, so why not on a cookie? Looks great 🙂
Simple Hacks Living
Very unique! I love this!
Lou Lou Girls
Super yummy recipe! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. We love to party with you, so I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm.. Have an amazing day! Lou Lou Girls
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal
Audrey these look so good! I love lemon and basil so I am definitely going to try these! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Talented Tuesdays. I hope you can join us again this week.
Michelle
I love basil and lemon scented anything, never thought to use it in a cookie. Nice touch. Stopping by on Wine'd Down Wednesday
Natalie @ our parallel connection
Oh yum. I cannot cook (or bake) and most times it ends in a disaster but I keep on trying. I think I could do this one.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
This sounds absolutely delicious to me!!