Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Spring Shortbread Cookies combine the classic, rich flavor of shortbread with the bright, fresh tastes of citrus and herbs. The buttery texture melts in your mouth, while the subtle citrus and herbal notes add a refreshing twist perfect for spring. They’re easy to prepare, with just a few simple steps, and you can customize the flavor with your favorite herbs. Whether you’re hosting a spring tea or enjoying a quiet afternoon, these cookies are sure to impress.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon or orange
1 tablespoon fresh herbs (like rosemary or lavender, optional)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat Your Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer or a whisk.
Add Flavorings:
Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon or orange zest, and any fresh herbs you are using. The citrus zest and herbs will give the cookies a lovely fragrance and flavor.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures the dry ingredients are well-mixed before combining them with the wet ingredients.
Mix Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cookies tough.
Chill the Dough:
Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
Shape Cookies:
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes—whether they’re simple rounds, flowers, or other fun designs.
Place on Baking Sheet:
Arrange the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. The cookies won’t spread too much during baking, so you can place them fairly close together.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake and become too crisp.
Cool:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking while they’re still warm.
Dust with Sugar:
If desired, dust the cooled cookies with additional powdered sugar for a lovely, finishing touch.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe yields about 20-24 cookies, depending on the size and shape of the cookie cutters used.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

Herb-Free Version: If you’re not into herbs, you can skip them and increase the amount of citrus zest for a brighter flavor.
Add a Glaze: For a slightly richer finish, drizzle a lemon or orange glaze over the cooled cookies.
Use Different Citrus: Experiment with other citrus fruits like lime or grapefruit zest for a fun twist.
Chocolate Dip: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted dark or white chocolate for a decadent treat.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They can also be stored in the fridge if you prefer them a bit firmer.
Freezing: These shortbread cookies freeze well! Freeze the dough after chilling it, or freeze the finished cookies. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container.
Reheating: If you’ve frozen the cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. You can also warm them in the oven for a few minutes at 300°F (150°C).

FAQs

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough for up to a month before baking.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried herbs for fresh, but use about half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

How do I make these cookies more colorful?

Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough for a vibrant twist. You can also use colored sugar to sprinkle on top before baking.

Can I use an electric mixer instead of mixing by hand?

Yes, an electric mixer works well to cream the butter and sugar and to combine the dough ingredients. Just be careful not to overmix after adding the dry ingredients.

How do I get the shortbread cookies to be crispier?

If you like your shortbread a little crispier, roll the dough thinner and bake for an extra minute or two, but keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling it out?

Lightly flour your rolling surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking. You can also chill the dough for longer if needed to make it firmer.

Conclusion

These Spring Shortbread Cookies are a simple yet sophisticated treat that combines buttery, tender cookies with bright citrus and the subtle flavor of fresh herbs. Perfect for any spring occasion, these cookies are easy to make, beautifully fragrant, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re sharing them with friends at a tea party or enjoying them with a cup of coffee, these cookies are a lovely way to embrace the season’s flavors.

Spring Shortbread Cookies: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe for You

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Celebrate spring with these delightful Spring Shortbread Cookies, combining buttery, crisp cookies with fresh citrus zest and herbs like rosemary or lavender. Perfect for any spring occasion, these cookies are elegant, fragrant, and easy to make.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: undefined
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 20-24 cookies
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer or a whisk.
Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon or orange zest, and any fresh herbs you are using. The citrus zest and herbs will give the cookies a lovely fragrance and flavor.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures the dry ingredients are well-mixed before combining them with the wet ingredients.
Mix Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cookies tough.
Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
Shape Cookies: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes—whether they’re simple rounds, flowers, or other fun designs.
Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. The cookies won’t spread too much during baking, so you can place them fairly close together.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake and become too crisp.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking while they’re still warm.
Dust with Sugar: If desired, dust the cooled cookies with additional powdered sugar for a lovely, finishing touch.