If you’re looking for a delicate, buttery treat to pair with your favorite cup of tea, these Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies are a wonderful choice. Infused with fragrant culinary lavender, bright lemon zest, and finished with a sweet citrus glaze, these elegant cookies are perfect for afternoon tea, spring gatherings, bridal showers, or thoughtful homemade gifts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies combine crisp, buttery shortbread with refreshing lemon and subtle floral notes for a beautifully balanced dessert.
- Rich, buttery texture that melts in your mouth
- Bright citrus flavor with delicate lavender aroma
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Ideal for tea parties and special occasions
- Easy to decorate with a smooth lemon icing
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
- Can be made gluten-free or vegan with simple substitutions
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for a vegan version)
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Splash of milk or cream (or non-dairy milk)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in the flour, lemon zest, and dried culinary lavender until just combined.
- Add the egg and mix on low speed until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll the chilled dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut into your favorite cookie shapes using cookie cutters.
- Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and enough milk to create a smooth glaze.
- Spoon or drizzle the icing over each cookie. Allow the icing to set completely before serving.
These Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies taste even better after the glaze has fully hardened.
Tips & Tricks
- Use only culinary-grade lavender for the best flavor.
- Chill the dough well to prevent spreading.
- Avoid overbaking to maintain a tender shortbread texture.
- For extra lemon flavor, add a little more zest to the dough.
- Decorate with a sprinkle of dried lavender or extra lemon zest while the icing is still wet.
- Store between layers of parchment paper to protect the icing.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Information: Vegetarian; easily adaptable to gluten-free and vegan diets with simple ingredient substitutions.
Notes
- Replace the egg with a flax egg for a vegan version.
- Substitute a quality gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- A tiny pinch of sea salt enhances the buttery flavor.
- These cookies make beautiful edible gifts when packaged in decorative tins.
- Serve alongside Earl Grey tea, chamomile tea, or fresh lemonade.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Cookie)
- Calories: 155
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sugar: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sodium: 20mg
FAQ
Can I use fresh lavender?
Fresh lavender is more potent and contains additional moisture. Culinary dried lavender is recommended for consistent flavor.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Wrap the dough tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.
How do I keep the cookies tender?
Measure the flour accurately and avoid overmixing or overbaking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. These lemon lavender cookies actually taste even better after resting overnight once the icing has set.
What tea pairs best with these cookies?
Earl Grey, English Breakfast, chamomile, jasmine, lavender tea, and green tea all pair beautifully.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Freezer:
Freeze baked cookies for up to three months in a freezer-safe container.
Reheating:
Allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature. These cookies are best enjoyed without reheating to preserve the icing.
Similar Recipes
Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
- 1 large egg or flax egg for a vegan version
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Splash of milk or cream or non-dairy milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in the flour, lemon zest, and dried culinary lavender until just combined.
- Add the egg and mix on low speed until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll the chilled dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut into your favorite cookie shapes using cookie cutters.
- Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and enough milk to create a smooth glaze.
- Spoon or drizzle the icing over each cookie. Allow the icing to set completely before serving.
- These Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies taste even better after the glaze has fully hardened.
Notes
- Replace the egg with a flax egg for a vegan version.
- Substitute a quality gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- A tiny pinch of sea salt enhances the buttery flavor.
- These cookies make beautiful edible gifts when packaged in decorative tins.
- Serve alongside Earl Grey tea, chamomile tea, or fresh lemonade.
Conclusion
These Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies are the perfect balance of buttery richness, fresh citrus, and delicate floral flavor. Whether you’re hosting an elegant afternoon tea, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to a homemade dessert, this recipe delivers beautiful results with minimal effort. Enjoy every tender, iced bite alongside your favorite warm cup of tea.