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overhead of glazed lemon shortbread cut into 16 squares with zest

Lemon Shortbread Cookies (Buttery, No-Spread)


  • Author: Chef Ana
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 squares (20 cm/8-in pan)

Description

Buttery, zesty shortbread that snaps then melts—classic 1:2:3 ratio with lemon zest in the dough and a bright lemon glaze on top.


Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter, softened: 226 g (1 cup)
  • Powdered sugar: 90 g (¾ cup)
  • Fine sea salt: 2 g (¼ tsp)
  • Lemon zest: 2 Tbsp (6–8 g)
  • Vanilla extract (optional): 1 tsp
  • All-purpose flour: 285 g (2¼ cups)

  • Cornstarch: 15–16 g (2 Tbsp)

Glaze:

 

  • Powdered sugar: 120 g (1 cup)

  • Fresh lemon juice: 30–45 ml (2–3 Tbsp), to taste

  • Pinch of salt + extra zest (optional)


Instructions

  • Heat oven to 160 °C / 325 °F. Line a 20 cm / 8-in square pan with a parchment sling.Rub zest into powdered sugar. Beat in butter and salt until smooth (45–60 s); mix in vanilla.
  • Add flour + cornstarch; stir just until a soft, crumbly dough forms. Press evenly; dock. Chill 15–20 min.
  • Bake 28–35 min until surface is matte and edges are pale gold. Tent if browning early.
  • Cool 5 min; score into 16 squares. Cool completely.
  • Glaze to a thin layer; set 20–30 min. Lift and cut along score lines.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28–35 minutes