Lemon Drop Shortbread Cookies

If you love soft, buttery cookies with a bright citrus twist, these Lemon Drop Shortbread Cookies will be your new favorite summer treat! They are incredibly light, melt in your mouth, and have the perfect balance of sweetness and tangy lemon flavor. Plus, they’re super easy to make with just a few ingredients. Perfect for an afternoon snack, a picnic dessert, or just because you deserve a sweet treat!

Method

Preheat & Prepare

Before you begin mixing, preheat your oven to 325°F. This ensures that once your cookie dough is ready, the oven is at the right temperature for baking. Next, take a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking. Having everything prepped beforehand makes the process smoother and more efficient.

Whip the Butter & Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add the room-temperature butter, powdered sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together for about 3 minutes. You want the mixture to become light, fluffy, and slightly pale in color. This step is crucial because properly whipped butter and sugar help create a soft, airy texture in the final cookies. If you skip or rush this step, the cookies may turn out dense instead of light and tender.

Combine Dry Ingredients

While the butter and sugar are mixing, take a separate medium-sized bowl and combine the flour and cornstarch. Use a whisk or spoon to ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed. The cornstarch helps give the cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you don’t mix these dry ingredients properly before adding them to the wet mixture, you might end up with uneven dough.

Mix & Form Dough

Once your butter mixture is smooth and fluffy, begin gradually adding the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Do this in small increments while continuing to mix. Mixing in stages prevents clumping and ensures an even distribution of ingredients. You should see a soft, pliable dough form. If your dough seems too sticky, allow it to rest for a few minutes it will firm up slightly. However, if it is too dry or crumbly, a tiny splash of lemon juice can help bind it together.

Shape the Cookies

Now it’s time to shape the cookies! Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, measure out tablespoon-sized portions of dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball using your hands and place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking tray. The cookies won’t spread much, so they only need a small gap between them.

Flatten & Add Zest

To create the classic shortbread look, dip a fork in flour and gently press down on each cookie ball to slightly flatten it. This will also give the cookies a delicate textured pattern on top. If your fork starts sticking to the dough, simply dip it in a little more flour before continuing. Once all the cookies are flattened, sprinkle a bit of fresh lemon zest over each one. This adds extra citrus flavor and makes them look even more appealing.

Bake to Perfection

Place the tray of cookies into your preheated oven and bake at 325°F for 12 minutes. Be sure to check the cookies towards the end of the baking time. They should be set around the edges but still light in color. Unlike some cookies that require browning, shortbread cookies should remain soft and pale this keeps their delicate texture intact. Overbaking will result in a dry, crumbly cookie instead of a soft, buttery one.

Cool & Enjoy

Once the cookies are baked, remove the tray from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before transferring. After about 5 minutes, carefully move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Shortbread cookies are fragile while warm, so handle them gently. Once cooled, they are ready to be enjoyed!

Necessary Tools

• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Parchment-lined baking tray
• Fork (for flattening)
• Spatula
• Zester

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these cookies with a hot cup of tea or a refreshing lemonade.
• Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful summer dessert.
• Drizzle a light lemon glaze on top for an extra burst of citrus.
• Enjoy them as an afternoon treat or gift them in a cute tin to a friend!

Fun Fact

Did you know that shortbread cookies originated in Scotland? They were traditionally made with just three ingredients butter, sugar, and flour but adding lemon gives them a fresh and summery twist!

Conclusion

These Lemon Drop Shortbread Cookies are the ultimate summer delight! They’re easy to make, incredibly soft, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Whether you serve them with tea, as a snack, or as a gift, they are sure to brighten anyone’s day. Try them out, and let me know how they turn out in the comments! Happy baking!