Description
Sunshine-kissed citrus shortbread cookies deliver a delightful Mediterranean zest with buttery, crumbly perfection. Delicate lemon and orange notes dance across each tender bite, promising a refreshing escape that whisks you to coastal warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
Citrus Components:
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling/topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a clean workspace for your citrus-infused shortbread.
- Cream the softened butter with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating the vibrant citrus zests and vanilla extract to enhance the aromatic profile.
- Gradually fold in the flour and salt, mixing until a cohesive dough forms, ensuring no dry patches remain in the mixture.
- Gently knead the dough on a lightly floured surface, working the lemon and orange zests thoroughly throughout the shortbread base.
- Roll the dough into a compact log, approximately 2 inches in diameter, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up the consistency.
- Remove the chilled dough and slice into uniform rounds, each about 1/4 inch thick, creating elegant cookie medallions.
- Delicately roll the cookie edges in granulated sugar, providing a sparkling, crystalline exterior that will caramelize during baking.
- Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for minimal spreading.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, signaling the perfect shortbread texture.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, letting the citrus essence fully develop and the texture set to a crisp, buttery finish.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and ensures a crisp, clean-edged cookie with a professional bakery look.
- Zest citrus fruits right before mixing to capture the most vibrant, intense flavors and aromatic oils that elevate the shortbread.
- For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the delicate texture and citrusy essence.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful crumbly texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg