Name: Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread: 1 Blissful Bite
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Shortbread Cookies:; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; For the Lemon Glaze:; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Zest of 1 lemon

Easiest lemon glazed shortbread has been my go-to treat for years, especially when I need a quick, impressive dessert. I remember the first time I tried making it; I was so nervous about getting the glaze right, but this recipe is truly foolproof. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the shortbread combined with that bright, zesty lemon glaze is pure bliss. It smells amazing while baking, filling my kitchen with a sweet, citrusy aroma that just makes you happy. If you’re looking for the simplest way to create delicious homemade cookies, this is definitely the easiest lemon shortbread recipe you’ll find. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

This recipe is a winner for so many reasons. It’s incredibly quick to whip up, making it perfect for those last-minute sweet cravings or unexpected guests. The taste is simply divine – a buttery shortbread base with a bright, tangy lemon glaze that’s utterly addictive. Plus, these simple lemon glaze shortbread cookies are surprisingly budget-friendly, using common pantry staples.

Incredibly fast prep and cook times
Deliciously buttery with a perfect zesty kick
Budget-friendly ingredients
Family-friendly and fun to make together
A crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion
These simple lemon glaze shortbread cookies are a no-fail treat

Ingredients for Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to making these delightful lemon butter cookies with an easy glaze. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, using just a few pantry staples. The softened butter is key for achieving that perfect, tender shortbread texture, while the powdered sugar ensures a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth feel. You’ll find that the fresh lemon juice and zest are essential for that bright, authentic citrus flavor that makes these cookies so special. For more baking tips, check out our about Niki Air Fryer page.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened – crucial for a tender texture
1/2 cup powdered sugar – makes the shortbread delightfully smooth
2 cups all-purpose flour – the base of our cookie
1/4 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors
1 cup powdered sugar – for the sweet glaze
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice – provides that essential zesty tang
Zest of 1 lemon – adds an intense burst of lemon flavor

How to Make Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

Now for the fun part! Let’s whip up these delightful cookies. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, so don’t worry if you’re new to baking. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create these beautiful treats. Learning how to make easy lemon glazed shortbread is a skill that will impress everyone.

Preparing the Dough

First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl, I like to cream together the 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until it’s wonderfully light and fluffy. Using softened butter is absolutely key here; it ensures your shortbread will be tender and melt-in-your-mouth, not tough. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, mixing until just combined. You want a soft dough to form – don’t overmix!

Shaping and Baking

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. I usually knead it just a few times to bring it all together into a cohesive ball. Then, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. This thickness is perfect for achieving that classic shortbread texture. Now comes the creative part: cut out your shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. Place the cut-out cookies onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them. These quick lemon shortbread with glaze cookies bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from perfect to over-baked quickly!

Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread: 1 Blissful Bite - Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread - additional detail

Making and Applying the Lemon Glaze

While the cookies are cooling on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack, it’s time to make the glaze. This is where the magic happens and you truly learn the lemon shortbread cookie glaze recipe. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and the zest of one lemon. You’re looking for a smooth, pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more lemon juice; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. Once the cookies are completely cool – and this is important, or your glaze will melt into a mess! – you can either dip the tops into the glaze or use a spoon to drizzle it artfully over them. Let the glazed beauties sit undisturbed until the glaze has set completely, usually about 30 minutes to an hour. For more information on food safety and storage, please refer to our Terms of Use.

Pro Tips for the Best Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

I’ve made these cookies more times than I can count, and I’ve picked up a few tricks to ensure they turn out perfectly every single time. These tips will elevate your baking game and give you that professional touch, even if you’re a beginner.

Always use unsalted butter so you can control the salt content precisely.
Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour; this is crucial for tender shortbread.
Ensure your cookies are completely cool before glazing to prevent a messy, melted glaze.

What’s the secret to perfect lemon glaze on shortbread?

The key to a perfect glaze is the consistency. You want it thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle. My secret for how to get perfect lemon glaze on shortbread is to start with the minimum lemon juice and add more drop by drop until it’s just right. A little lemon zest adds amazing flavor too! Understanding ingredient properties can help improve baking outcomes; learn more about GDPR compliance in data handling.

Can I make Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the shortbread dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. For baked, unglazed cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Glazing them just before serving keeps the glaze looking its freshest.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread?

The most common pitfall is overworking the dough, which leads to tough cookies. Also, avoid glazing warm cookies! For a truly no-fail lemon glazed shortbread experience, remember to use softened butter and bake until the edges are just golden. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Best Ways to Serve Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

These delightful cookies are so versatile and perfect for so many occasions. I love serving these easiest lemon glazed shortbread cookies with a cup of hot tea for a relaxing afternoon break. They also make a beautiful addition to a dessert platter alongside berries or a light mousse. For a simple yet elegant presentation, arrange these lemon shortbread cookies with simple glaze on a pretty plate alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re the perfect sweet treat to brighten any day!

Nutrition Facts for Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

These delightful cookies are a treat you can enjoy guilt-free. Each bite of these easy lemon glazed shortbread cookies offers a wonderful balance of buttery goodness and zesty lemon. They’re perfect for a small indulgence without going overboard.

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120 kcal
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 13 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 15 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used. For more information on our data practices, please review our Privacy Policy.

How to Store and Reheat Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious easiest lemon glazed shortbread tasting fresh and delightful. Once your cookies have completely cooled – and I can’t stress this enough, make sure they are *totally* cool before storing! – you’ll want to place them in an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out or absorbing any unwanted odors. For glazed cookies, I prefer to layer them between sheets of parchment paper within the container to prevent the glaze from sticking together. This way, your easy shortbread recipe lemon glaze stays looking pristine.

Stored this way at room temperature, these cookies will stay wonderfully fresh for about 3 to 4 days. If you happen to have any leftover unglazed shortbread dough or baked cookies, you can freeze them for longer storage. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and they’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. The glaze might soften slightly upon thawing, but they’ll still be a delightful treat! You can find more recipes and tips on our last recipes page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread

What is the easiest lemon shortbread recipe?

This recipe truly is the easiest! It uses simple ingredients and a straightforward method, making it accessible even for absolute beginners. The dough comes together quickly, and the glaze is just a matter of mixing a few ingredients. It’s designed to be foolproof, ensuring you get delicious results every time you bake.

Are these beginner lemon shortbread cookies difficult to make?

Not at all! I designed this recipe specifically for those who might be new to baking or shortbread. There’s no complicated technique involved. You’ll be creaming butter and sugar, mixing dry ingredients, and rolling out dough – all very manageable steps. The glaze is equally simple, making these perfect beginner lemon shortbread cookies.

Can I use a different citrus for the glaze?

While lemon is classic, you can certainly experiment! A lime glaze would offer a similar tartness, or you could try orange zest and juice for a sweeter, less intense citrus flavor. Just be mindful that different citrus fruits have varying juice amounts, so you might need to adjust the powdered sugar slightly to get the perfect glaze consistency.

How do I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

Once completely cooled, store your glazed shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent the glaze from sticking. They’ll stay delicious for about 3-4 days. If you have unglazed cookies, they can be frozen for up to a month.

Variations of Easiest Lemon Glazed Shortbread You Can Try

While this recipe is already fantastic, there are so many fun ways to play with it! If you’re looking for the best easy lemon shortbread recipe, you know this one delivers, but why stop there? You can easily adapt it to suit different tastes and dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free baking blend. Another delicious twist is to add a hint of lavender to the dough for a floral note that pairs surprisingly well with lemon. You could also try a lime glaze instead of lemon for a different citrusy zing, or even add a touch of almond extract to the shortbread dough for a nutty undertone. For those who love a bit of crunch, consider adding poppy seeds to the glaze! For more baking inspiration, visit our home page.