Lemon Lavender Short Bread Cookies

I love getting creative with herbs in my baking, especially herbs that I’ve been tending to for weeks or the ones grown at my CSA farm share. The fragrant combination of lemon and lavender in this recipe speaks spring and summer to me. Take them on a picnic, or enjoy with a cup of tea. They also make a lovely addition to your Easter or Mother’s Day brunch!

INGREDIENTS

Cookies

2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp Meyer lemon zest
1/2 tsp dried culinary lavender ( I also like to use fresh lavender buds when they are available and/or in season.)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar (for sprinkling)

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp Meyer lemon zest
2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice
1/2-1 tsp dried or fresh lavender pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine sugar, lemon zest, and lavender in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute until lavender is finely chopped. Beat butter and lemon-lavender sugar in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until combined; add vanilla and salt and beat until incorporated. Scrape down bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and mix in flour just until incorporated and dough begins to come together in large pieces. Scrape dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape into a disk and wrap well. Chill dough in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes
Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Roll out dough to slightly less than 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured board. Use a floured 2 1/2-inch fluted biscuit cutter to cut out cookies. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut until you have a total of 24 cookies. Place cookies on baking sheets, sprinkle with sugar, and chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
Bake, rotating pans halfway through, for 14 to 15 minutes, until lightly golden and edges are set. Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, lavender, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Transfer glaze to a small piping bag and drizzle over cookies; let set before serving.

NOTES

Make ahead: Baked and cooled shortbread cookies can be wrapped well and frozen up to 2 months. To thaw cookies, place on wire racks and let stand at room temperature for one hour before glazing.