These Lemon Lavender Cookies are soft, buttery, and delicately flavored with fresh lemon zest and fragrant lavender. The floral and citrus notes create a beautifully balanced cookie that’s perfect for tea time, spring gatherings, or simply when you want a light and refreshing treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicate & Unique Flavor – A perfect balance of floral lavender and bright lemon.
- Soft & Buttery Texture – Tender cookies that melt in your mouth.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Great for Any Occasion – Perfect with tea, coffee, or as a gift.
- Customizable – Make them crispier, add icing, or make them gluten-free!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp culinary lavender, finely ground
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp lavender extract (or vanilla)
Directions
1. Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar
- In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and ground lavender.
4. Combine & Chill
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes (for easier handling).
5. Shape & Bake
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Flatten slightly with a fork or your palm.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
6. Cool & Glaze (Optional)
- Let cookies cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lavender extract.
- Drizzle over cooled cookies and let set.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 20-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Variations
- Crispier Cookies – Bake for 1-2 extra minutes.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Floral Flavor – Add ½ tsp lavender extract.
- Sugar-Free Version – Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar.
- Iced Cookies – Coat with a full layer of lemon-lavender glaze for a sweeter treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 5 days.
- Refrigeration: Keeps fresh for 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I use dried lavender instead of fresh?
Yes! Just make sure it’s culinary-grade lavender.
How do I grind lavender?
Use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder for a fine texture.
Do these cookies taste like soap?
No! Using the right amount of culinary lavender gives a mild floral touch.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.
What should I serve these cookies with?
Perfect with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk.
How do I make these cookies softer?
Use a bit more butter or reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes.
Can I use lemon extract instead of lemon juice?
Yes, but use only ½ tsp lemon extract since it’s more concentrated.
Can I add white chocolate chips?
Yes! ½ cup white chocolate chips makes a great addition.
How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough prevents spreading and keeps them thick.
Can I substitute another citrus?
Yes! Try orange or lime zest for a different citrus twist.
Conclusion
These Lemon Lavender Cookies are soft, fragrant, and absolutely delightful! Whether you’re baking for a tea party, special occasion, or just treating yourself, these cookies are a unique and refreshing twist on a classic treat. Try them today and enjoy the perfect balance of citrus and floral flavors!
Print
Lemon Lavender Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Description
These light and buttery cookies combine the bright zestiness of lemon with the floral touch of lavender for a delicate and refreshing treat. Perfect for afternoon tea, special occasions, or simply a delightful snack!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried culinary lavender, finely crushed
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp dried lavender (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and crushed lavender.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Shape & Bake
- Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut into rounds or desired shapes and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
4. Glaze & Serve (Optional)
- Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to form a smooth glaze.
- Drizzle over cooled cookies and sprinkle with lavender for decoration.
Notes
- Use culinary lavender only—regular lavender can be too strong.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a crisper texture, bake 2 minutes longer.
- Swap lemon for orange zest and juice for a citrusy variation.