Want a classic shortbread recipe with a twist?
Well, I've got one for you.
Shortbread cookies are one of my favorite cookies to make. They taste delicious as is, but even better when you add lemon and basil.
It fancies them up... and that's a fact.
Want something fancy to serve for Mother's Day?
If so... you guessed it... this is the recipe for you.
They are a wonderful accompaniment with tea.
Lemon Basil Shortbread + tea = a wonderful Mother's Day treat!
Happy Mother's Day to all of you fantastic mommas out there! I wish you a day of love, happiness, and most of all rest and relaxation!
Lemon Basil Shortbread Cookies
Adapted from Simple Shortbread Cookies
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter (2 Sticks), Softened
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Fresh Basil, Finely Diced
- Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
- 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups Flour, Plus Some for Rolling Cookies Out
Begin by creaming the butter and the sugar. Add the basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix until just incorporated. Add the flour in half cup intervals, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl. Do not over mix the dough.
Separate the dough in half and place on plastic wrap. Seal and shape into disks. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 1 hour to chill.
In the meantime, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees (F) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
After the dough has been allowed to chill. Dust a bit of flour on a clean surface and on a rolling pin. Working with one chilled dough disk at a time, begin rolling out the dough to the desired thickness. Cut with cookie cutter(s) of your choice. Re-roll the scraps until all the cookies are cut.
Place in the oven for 8-12 minutes, or until set. Allow to cool a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack until completely cooled.
The baking time will depend on the cookie thickness and the size of cutters used. I used a heart cookie cutter, about 2-inches across. Each disk made about 36 cookies, so about 72 cookies total. Enjoy with tea.
You can make one half of the dough into cookies and use the other half for a tart or pie crust.
Enjoy!
