cookie recipes

Lemon Shortbread

Posted July 6, 2015 by Stephanie
lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com
lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com
lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Here’s a not-so-secret about me: I’m obsessed with cute things. I like all things kawaii, but I especially love bunnies. It all stems from my very favorite bunny from childhood, Bunny. Yup, I named my stuffed bunny, Bunny. It’s not particularly creative, but hey, no one ever asked me why I chose that name! I used to take that Bunny with me everywhere I went. That is, until she fell in mud puddles and got left behind and had entirely too many adventures without me.

lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

After a while, my mom put her foot down and told me I had to leave her at home – I guess she and my dad got tired of frantic, hour-long searches for a lost Bunny. I still have her though; I’ve literally loved her to bits. I have her tail, but it’s not attached anymore and I’ve sewed up her ears more times than I can remember. Long story short, I have a special place in my heart for all things bunny.

lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

So of course, when I saw these little bunny cutters in Japan, I had to pick them up, even though my luggage was already stuffed with other more useful kitchen things. They’re very big fans of Miffy in Japan – maybe you know her? She’s a very famous Dutch rabbit created by Dick Bruna. I have way too many Miffy things to mention, much to the bemusement of Mike. I even have a Miffy lamp that sits in the corner of our living room. I like to think it adds a little bit of understated quirkiness to the house.

lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

These little shortbread cookies were made quite some time ago, as a little edible present. They come together quickly (minus the chilling time) and remind me a little bit of those Danish butter cookies that come in that familiar blue tin. They have a hint of lemon in them, but if you’re looking for a big lemon-y cookie, you’ll have to up the zest by quite a bit. It’s too bad I didn’t have any poppy seeds on hand because I think these would be extra awesome with that poppy seed crunch. Even without the poppy seeds these guys are light and crisp and not too sweet, perfect for that shortbread lover in your life.

lemon shortbread recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Lemon Shortbread Cookies via Bon Appetit
makes about 16 small cookies
prep time: 30 minutes
active time: 15 minutes
total time: 45 minutes

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (packed) finely grated lemon peel
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • generous pinch of coarse kosher salt

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the powered sugar and mix well. Add in the lemon peel and vanilla. Add the flour and salt until just blended. Press between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Chill until firm, 20-30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the dough from the fridge and dip your 2 to 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter to flour before cutting out the cookies. Move cut out cookies to the lined baking sheet. Gather scraps and re-roll. Chill cut out cookies for 10 minutes.

Bake until light brown on the bottoms and barely golden around the edges, 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

PS – If you want your own Miffy cutters, they sell them here! And the Miffy lamp is right here.

20 Comments

  1. Synnøve says:

    So cute! one of the things I love about Japan is how you can find kawaii things everywhere.

  2. That is so cute. Those are Nijntje (Miffy), the bunny character in the books by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. Love that cookie cutter :)

  3. Danielle S says:

    Ahhh that Miffy cookie cutter is the cutest! I must have one! The cookies also sound delicious, I can’t wait to try this recipe.

  4. omg, these are so friggin’ cute!!! you’re killing me with their adorableness!

  5. Joy says:

    I had a bunny growing up named bunny!! Great minds think a like :) oh and these are the cutest cookies ever, ALMOST too cute to eat!

  6. Linda Sue says:

    The Miffy cookie cutters are really cute. I love short bread, but have not had any lemon short bread. This recipe sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to try it.

  7. Lemon shortbread in THE most adorable shape!! Love it!

  8. This is adorable!!! My mom goes by the name “Tokey” which is rabbit in Korean (she got the nickname as a kid in Korea for her big round eyes) and her birthday’s coming up. I think I know what to make her!

  9. Maja says:

    They look yummy and very fun to do with the kiddos ;)

  10. yep. 100% cute. all the cute. i love bunnies too! that’s my dads nickname for me… ;)

  11. Alana says:

    OH EM GEE!!! MIFFY!! Love these cookies and your love for your bunny! ♡♡

  12. I LOVE the Miffy cookies! I’m going to have to get some of those cutters. Very adorable, and great looking recipe.

  13. Jennifer says:

    These were delicious! That hint of lemon zest was perfect. Also, i liked the idea of powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar! I am planning on swapping out my old butter cookie recipe for this one! Thx for sharing another terrific recipe.

  14. Mimi Chau says:

    Can I chill for several hours if id like to bake them later?

    1. Stephanie Le says:

      yes, definitely! i’d roll them out first – if you just chill the unrolled dough it’ll have to come back to room temp before you’re able to roll. hope that helps!

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