Discover the delicate charm of Floral Lemon Lavender Cookies – light, fragrant, and perfectly sweet. A delightful treat for any occasion!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Profile: Bright lemon meets delicate lavender for an elegant twist
- Perfect Texture: Buttery and crumbly, like a classic shortbread
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy tools or complicated steps required
- Aromatic Experience: The scent of lemon and lavender fills the kitchen while baking
- Beautiful Presentation: Great for special occasions and gifting
- Customizable: Easily adapted with glazes or extra zest
- Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and bake later
- Small Batch: Makes just enough for a gathering or indulgent weekend
- Versatile Use: Pairs beautifully with tea, coffee, or dessert platters
- Impressive Yet Easy: Looks fancy, but beginner-friendly
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 oz or 1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)
- ¾ teaspoon culinary lavender
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium-low for 1 minute until fully combined.
- On low speed, add vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lavender. Mix until just incorporated.
- Add flour and salt. Mix for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides. Dough should be crumbly but hold when pressed.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Press into a flat disk. If soft, refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out shapes with a 2.5-inch cookie cutter and place on baking sheet.
- Freeze cookies for 15 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until set and lightly golden on the edges. Let cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Servings And Timing
- Servings: 16 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Resting Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 86 kcal per cookie
Variations
- Glazed Top: Drizzle with a simple lemon glaze for extra sweetness
- Extra Zest: Add orange zest for a citrus blend
- Herbal Notes: Mix in a bit of chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter and a sugar alternative
- Shape Variety: Try heart or flower-shaped cookie cutters
- Colored Dough: Add a drop of natural food coloring for a pastel hue
- Dipped Edges: Dip half the cookie in white chocolate for a sweet finish
- Lavender Sugar Dust: Dust with lavender-infused sugar after baking
- Nutty Crunch: Add finely ground almonds or hazelnuts to the dough
- Sandwich Style: Use two cookies with lemon curd or white chocolate filling
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freezer (Dough): Freeze rolled dough before baking for up to 1 month
- Freezer (Baked): Store fully baked and cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for 1–2 months
- Reheating: Not typically reheated, but can be gently warmed in a low oven if desired
FAQs
Can I Use Fresh Lavender Instead Of Dried?
It’s best to use culinary dried lavender for controlled flavor. Fresh lavender can be overpowering and less consistent.
Is This Recipe Too Floral?
Not at all. The balance of lemon and sugar tones down the floral notes, resulting in a delicate, pleasant taste.
Can I Double The Recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredient quantities to yield about 32 cookies.
Can I Use Lemon Extract Instead Of Zest?
Yes, but zest provides more natural aroma. If using extract, start with ¼ teaspoon.
Are These Cookies Crunchy Or Soft?
They are buttery and crisp on the edges with a tender, crumbly bite in the center—similar to shortbread.
Can I Make The Dough Ahead Of Time?
Yes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month before rolling and baking.
Do I Have To Use A Stand Mixer?
No. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand using a wooden spoon and some elbow grease.
Can I Make These Gluten-Free?
Yes, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for best results.
How Do I Prevent Spreading?
Freezing the cookies before baking helps them maintain their shape during baking.
Can I Add Icing Or Decorations?
Absolutely. Royal icing, lemon glaze, or edible flowers make these cookies even more beautiful and festive.
Conclusion
Floral Lemon Lavender Cookies are a charming, elegant treat that’s as delightful to make as they are to eat. With their fragrant aroma, crisp texture, and stunning presentation, they elevate any tea time or dessert table. Whether you enjoy them as-is or experiment with fun variations, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
More Delicate Treats to Savor
Celebrate subtle sweetness and aromatic bakes with these handpicked recipes that echo the charm of lemon lavender cookies:
- Indulge in buttery citrus bliss with Zesty Lemon Crumble Bars—perfect for afternoon tea or gifting.
- Keep the floral vibes going with Peach Buttermilk Pound Cake Delight—moist, tender, and slightly tangy.
- Enjoy a fruity twist on classic comfort in Strawberry Buttermilk Pound Cake—light, fluffy, and crowd-pleasing.
- For a melt-in-your-mouth experience, try Vanilla Pecan Pralines—creamy, nutty, and just sweet enough.
- Balance out your dessert spread with a crunchy snack like Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips—perfect with tea or coffee.
Floral Lemon Lavender Cookies
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Floral Lemon Lavender Cookies are buttery shortbread treats infused with zesty lemon zest and fragrant culinary lavender, ideal for spring occasions or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 oz or 1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)
- ¾ teaspoon culinary lavender
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium-low speed for 1 minute until combined.
- Add vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lavender; mix until just combined.
- Add flour and salt, mix for about 1 minute. Dough will be crumbly but should hold when pinched.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface. Shape into a flat disk. Chill for 15 minutes if too soft.
- Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut shapes with a 2.5-inch cookie cutter. Place on baking sheet. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Freeze cookies for 15 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet before serving.
Notes
- Use only culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness.
- Chilling helps cookies maintain shape during baking.
- Cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American