Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread makes for a delightful treat that balances buttery richness with zesty brightness. The cookies are perfect for tea time or as a sweet gift for friends. With a crunchy exterior and a tender crumb, they are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
When making Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread, it’s important to use fresh poppy seeds since they can go rancid quickly. If you don’t have unsalted butter, you could use salted butter, just omit the salt in the recipe. For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but check the blend’s composition for best results.
Cookies
Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup icing sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl beat 1 cup unsalted butter and 3/4 cup icing sugar until creamy and smooth; add 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and beat well.
- In another bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours (the dough can also be frozen for up to 2 months).
- Preheat the oven to 300F degrees.
- Roll the chilled dough between two sheets of wax paper to a 1/4-inch thick rectangle about 10 by 12 inches.
- Cut the shortbread dough into 3×2-inch bars (or smaller 3×1-inch bars if you prefer) using a knife or sharp edge.
- Place the bars on ungreased cookie sheets one inch apart.
- Prick each shortbread with a fork and bake until pale golden, approximately 25 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Part of our Homemade Cookie Recipes collection — Part 4 of 7:
If you’re in the mood for something equally delightful, consider trying Lime Cookies. The zesty lime combined with a sweet frosting creates a refreshing treat that’s hard to resist.