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    Home » Our latest posts » Desserts

    Lemon Basil Shortbread: Cookies with an Herbal Twist

    February 20, 2015 Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Lemon Herb Shortbread Cookies combine crisp buttery shortbread with a boost from tangy lemons and peppery basil for a melt in your mouth burst of flavor.

    These simple Lemon Basil Shortbread cookies feature tangy lemons and kick of peppery basil for a fabulous combination.

    top down view of iced cookies in a container with text overlay lemon herb shortbread

    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

    top down view of iced lemon herb shortbread cookies in a container
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    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

    You can make these with any combination of citrus fruit (limes, oranges, tangerines) and fresh herbs (rosemary, lavender, thyme).

    Sound tasty? Share it with other!

    889 shares

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook

      February 20, 2015 at 7:29 am

      Oooh I love shortbread. What a wonderful idea, can't wait to give these a try!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 21, 2015 at 2:09 pm

        My mom loved them! I snuck 2 and they were fabulous.

    2. [email protected]

      February 20, 2015 at 8:52 am

      I love this idea of using shortbread cookies! The glaze looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 21, 2015 at 2:10 pm

        The simple sweetened lemon glaze is my favorite part of these.

    3. Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade

      February 20, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Great idea making cookies and shortbread is a perfect base for just about any flavor.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 21, 2015 at 2:11 pm

        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.

    4. Kathleen

      February 20, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 21, 2015 at 2:12 pm

        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.

    5. [email protected] Evolution of Mom

      February 21, 2015 at 10:14 am

      What the what???? I'm going to try these. I love basil! Thanks for linking up at the Momma Told Me Link Party!

      ~jen

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 21, 2015 at 2:13 pm

        I had to buy basil for this since the freak snowstorm killed my basil plant. Usually we can grow it year round here.

    6. Winnie

      February 21, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      These are such great and super-unique cookies!!
      I happen to looooooove basil, so I really must try this recipe
      Pinning

      Reply
      • Audrey

        March 04, 2015 at 8:47 am

        Thanks so much, Winnie! It means so much coming from you.

    7. Erlene

      February 22, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      What an unexpected ingredient in a cookie. I've never tried putting herbs in a cookie, but it would be nice to try 🙂

      Reply
    8. Kathleen

      February 23, 2015 at 1:50 am

      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

      Reply
      • Audrey

        March 04, 2015 at 8:48 am

        Wow! Thanks, Kathleen! Obviously I use and cook with them a lot.

    9. Brittany

      February 23, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
    10. Gentle Joy

      February 24, 2015 at 8:32 am

      I never would have put those ingredients together... but it actually sounds wonderful! Good job. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Kara

      February 25, 2015 at 10:32 pm

      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!

      Reply
    12. Jess

      February 26, 2015 at 4:40 am

      I love fresh herbs, so why not on a cookie? Looks great 🙂

      Reply
    13. Simple Hacks Living

      February 26, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Very unique! I love this!

      Reply
    14. Lou Lou Girls

      March 02, 2015 at 10:40 am

      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

      Reply
    15. Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal

      March 03, 2015 at 6:53 am

      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.

      Reply
    16. Michelle

      March 03, 2015 at 5:00 pm

      I love basil and lemon scented anything, never thought to use it in a cookie. Nice touch. Stopping by on Wine'd Down Wednesday

      Reply
    17. Natalie @ our parallel connection

      March 05, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      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.

      Reply
    18. Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm

      March 16, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      This sounds absolutely delicious to me!!

      Reply

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