Lemon Shortbread

Lemon Shortbread. June 28, 2023.

The chamomile is blooming away in the garden. Those cheerful miniature daisies are a happy little flower with their sunny centers. While clipping chamomile heads today my train of thought left the station and went wandering around. My thinking process is a bit like the childhood book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” First, the yellow chamomile centers made me think of lemons and then the lemons made me think of shortbread. And then we arrived at our destination of the kitchen where I made lemon shortbread. Sunny weather just inspires lemons which is good in everything with its good-natured tanginess that leaves your mouth slightly puckered for more.

The shortbread I make is one using pastry flour and powdered sugar. Pastry flour is my preferred flour for cookies, cakes, etc. It has a lower protein content that makes a lighter and flakier dough. And powdered sugar adds a softness to the shortbread. This recipe is also great to use for a cheesecake crust.

Lemon Shortbread Recipe

Shortbread recipe:

2 cups of pastry flour (all-purpose is fine too)

1 tsp. lemon zest

3/4 cup powdered sugar (if you swap out for regular white sugar reduce amount to 1/2 cup)

1 cup butter (room temperature)

1 tsp. lemon extract.

Tangy Lemon Glaze:

1 cup of powdered sugar

Fresh lemon juice ( I used about 1 lemon)

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer until it comes together as a dough. Press into an ungreased 9.5-inch tart pan (I used one with a removable bottom to make it easier to remove shortbread). Press dough flat in the mold and then using a fork poke holes all over the top. Put in the oven and bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until edges are brown and centered is puffing a bit. While the shortbread is baking mix the powdered sugar and enough lemon juice until you have a pourable icing. Set aside until the shortbread is done.

When shortbread is done let cool for a few minutes and then pour icing over top and spread around. While the shortbread is still warm cut into triangles. This is rich and yummy with a lovely lemon tanginess to it!

Have a beautiful day!