If you are looking for a delightful treat that combines the bright zestiness of lemon with the subtle floral notes of lavender, this Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. Perfectly tender and lightly fragrant, these cookies offer a unique flavor experience that feels both refreshing and elegant. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to brighten an ordinary day, these cookies bring a lovely burst of sunshine and calm in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the creamy butter to the aromatic lavender, every component comes together to make these cookies irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for a tender, buttery cookie.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that soft, slightly cakey texture.
- Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness and floral notes.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a delicate mouthfeel when softened properly.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to the cookie’s slight crisp edges.
- Lemon zest: Intensifies the lemon flavor with fresh citrus oils.
- Fresh lemon juice: Gives a tangy brightness that wakes up every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile and adds warmth.
- Dried culinary lavender buds: Infuse a gentle floral fragrance that perfectly complements lemon.
- Large egg: Binds the cookie dough and improves texture.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For rolling, it adds a delicate sweet coating and pretty finish.
How to Make Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution and helps your cookies bake uniformly without any surprises.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step is essential for creating a tender crumb and a slightly airy texture.
Step 3: Add Flavors
Next, mix in the bright lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and aromatic lavender buds. These ingredients bring all the signature flavors of the recipe to life, creating that refreshing yet soothing combo that makes these cookies stand out.
Step 4: Incorporate the Egg
Beat in the large egg until fully blended into the mixture. This helps bind all the ingredients nicely and adds moisture for tender cookies.
Step 5: Combine Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet, taking care not to overmix. Overworking the dough could lead to tougher cookies, and we want them soft and delicate with just enough structure.
Step 6: Chill Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the flavors develop further and makes shaping the dough easier.
Step 7: Shape Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls. For an extra touch of sweetness and a pretty finish, you can roll these balls in powdered sugar before baking.
Step 8: Bake
Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden but centers remain soft and tender.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set perfectly and prevents breakage when moving.
How to Serve Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To add an elegant touch, garnish your cookies with a tiny sprinkle of additional dried lavender buds or a light dusting of powdered sugar. This enhances the look and slightly boosts the aroma, making each cookie feel like a special treat.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of herbal tea, such as chamomile or a refreshing green tea, to complement their citrusy-floral flavor profile. A glass of cold milk or a simple whipped cream topping also makes for a delightful companion.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe cookies in a charming tea party setting, placed on delicate china with fresh lemon slices or little sprigs of lavender for a beautiful presentation. You could also sandwich two cookies together with lemon-infused cream cheese frosting for an impressive twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This method preserves their softness and the lovely balance of flavors beautifully.
Freezing
If you want to stash some cookies for later enjoyment, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or so. This revives their softness and enhances the lovely aroma of lemon and lavender.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried in the Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe?
While fresh lavender can be used, dried culinary lavender buds are preferred since they have a more concentrated flavor and a milder texture better suited for baking. Fresh lavender might be a bit overpowering or watery in baked goods.
How important is chilling the dough in this recipe?
Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and shape. It also develops deeper flavor and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, so it’s definitely recommended.
Are these cookies gluten-free or can they be made gluten-free?
The original Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but be aware it might affect texture slightly, so adjusting bindings like xanthan gum might be necessary.
Can I substitute lemon zest and juice with any other citrus?
Absolutely! Lime or orange zest and juice can offer delicious variations, though lemon gives the brightest, most classic flavor that pairs best with lavender in this recipe.
What is the best way to avoid overpowering the lavender flavor?
Use culinary-grade dried lavender buds sparingly, as the recipe suggests. Too much lavender can make the cookies taste soapy or bitter, so sticking to the recommended quantity ensures the right balance with lemon.
Final Thoughts
Making this Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe is such a joy because it brings together refreshing, floral, and buttery flavors in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Whether you’re sharing these with friends or indulging solo, the combination of lemon and lavender is truly special and sure to brighten any day. Give this recipe a try—you might just discover your new favorite cookie!
Print
Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful Lemon Lavender Cookies combine zesty lemon with aromatic lavender for a unique and refreshing treat. These soft, tender cookies offer a perfect balance of citrus brightness and floral notes, ideal for afternoon tea or a light dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds
- 1 large egg
Optional
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Flavors: Mix in the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and dried culinary lavender buds thoroughly into the creamed butter and sugar until the ingredients are well combined and fragrant.
- Incorporate Egg: Add the large egg to the wet mixture and beat until fully blended, creating a smooth batter.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine without overmixing to preserve cookie tenderness.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough, which helps in shaping.
- Shape Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Optionally, roll each ball in powdered sugar for a sweet, slightly crunchy coating.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers appear soft.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once cooled.
Notes
- Use dried culinary lavender buds to avoid bitterness that fresh lavender might impart.
- Refrigeration helps maintain the shape and texture of the cookies during baking.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar is optional but adds a delicate sweetness and a pretty finish.
- The cookies are best enjoyed within 3 days, stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, you can increase lemon zest slightly.
