Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe

If you’ve ever wished you could bottle up the essence of early summer and tuck it into a treat, this Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe is your dream come true. Bright, zesty lemon pairs perfectly with the subtle, floral hints of culinary lavender, creating a cookie that’s both delicate and deeply satisfying. Each bite melts on your tongue, glowing with buttery richness, topped with a pastel glaze and a jewel-like sprinkle of buds and zest. Whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea or simply craving a little sunshine on a plate, this recipe will become the showstopper you can’t wait to bake again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s something magical about how a few pantry staples transform into a bakery-worthy treat. Every ingredient in this Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe has an important role: from the creamy butter’s richness to the vibrant pop of lemon and the fragrant lavender that makes each cookie irresistible.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and perfect tender crumb for your cookies.
• Cornstarch: Gives these cookies their melt-in-your-mouth texture, making every bite delicately soft.
• Baking powder: Offers just the right lift for a slightly puffy, light bite.
• Salted butter: Infuses richness and that hint of savory depth to balance the sweetness.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve those crisp, golden edges.
• Lemon zest: Packs in fresh, tangy citrus flavor, waking up every bite (plus, it smells divine!).
• Dried culinary lavender buds: Brings beautiful floral notes—make sure you’re using ones intended for cooking!
• Large egg: Binds the dough together and contributes moisture for that soft center.
• Powdered sugar: The base for a dreamy glaze that drapes each cookie in sweetness.
• Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the glaze and adds extra zing.
• Lavender extract (optional): Enhances the floral aroma—use it if you want to take the lavender flavor to the next level.
• Purple food coloring: A few drops create that iconic soft lavender hue in the glaze (kids love this part, too!).
• Lavender buds and lemon zest (to garnish): For a pretty, professional finish that shows off the stars of the show.

How to Make Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare for Baking

First things first: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C, gas mark 4), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lining the pans not only prevents sticking, but also guarantees gorgeous golden bottoms on your cookies. Plus, cleanup will be a breeze!

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. This quick whisk ensures that everything is evenly distributed, so your cookies bake up with perfect texture and just the right lift every time.

Step 3: Beat Butter and Sugar

Using either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat together the cool (but not cold) butter, granulated sugar, fresh lemon zest, and dried lavender on medium speed. In about two to three minutes, you’ll see the mixture turn pale and fluffy—a sure sign that you’re building the perfect foundation of flavor.

Step 4: Add Egg

Crack in your egg and beat it in until the dough looks creamy and fully combined. Don’t rush this step! Proper mixing here ensures a cookie that’s supple rather than crumbly.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Switch over to low speed and add your flour mixture. Mix until just combined—no more! The dough will seem a little dry, but that’s what makes these cookies so delicate and shortbread-like after baking.

Step 6: Scoop Cookies

Grab a small cookie scoop (or use a tablespoon), and portion out balls of dough onto your prepared sheets; keep them two inches apart so they have room to spread. Each ball should be about one tablespoon in size.

Step 7: Flatten Cookies

Gently flatten each dough ball with your hands until they’re about one third of an inch thick. This ensures they bake evenly and achieve that perfect balance of crisp edge and tender center in the Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe.

Step 8: Bake

Slide your first tray into the oven—only bake one sheet at a time, so the heat circulates evenly. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes: the edges should be just turning golden, and the centers will look set but soft. These cookies are all about subtlety, both in flavor and bake.

Step 9: Cool

Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes. This gives them time to firm up just enough for a gentle transfer to a wire rack, where they can finish cooling while you inhale all that dreamy citrus-floral aroma wafting through your kitchen.

Step 10: Mix Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a touch of lavender extract if you want to really highlight the floral note. Stir in a few drops of purple food coloring until you get your preferred shade of lavender—the glaze should be thick but pourable.

Step 11: Decorate Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spoon the glaze over each one. Sprinkle them with a hint of lavender buds and fresh lemon zest for that bakery-perfect finish. Let the icing set for at least half an hour (if you can wait that long!).

Step 12: Store

When the icing is fully set, layer your Lemon Lavender Cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between each layer. At room temperature, they’ll stay fresh for up to four days—though honestly, they’re likely to disappear long before then!

How to Serve Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

For a truly special touch, add a final sprinkle of edible lavender buds and thin ribbons of lemon zest just before serving. These edible adornments make each cookie look like it belongs in a Parisian pastry shop, and they lend a delightful burst of fragrance as you bring the plate to the table.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a pot of herbal tea—chamomile, earl grey, or even a light green tea play beautifully with the floral notes in the Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe. For a picnic or brunch spread, serve them alongside fresh berries, lemon curd, or a crisp glass of sparkling lemonade.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your cookies in a tin lined with parchment for a heartfelt homemade gift, or stack them on a tiered cake stand for an eye-catching centerpiece at a shower or garden party. You can even use them as place settings: tie a pair together with ribbon and a sprig of lavender for each guest. They’re as charming on a holiday cookie tray as they are beside your favorite mug on a quiet afternoon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any remaining cookies in an airtight container, layering with wax or parchment paper to keep the glaze pristine and each cookie as tender as the day they were baked. Store them at room temperature and enjoy within four days for peak flavor and texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, both glazed and unglazed! Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container separated by parchment. They’ll keep for up to three months—simply thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

While Lemon Lavender Cookies don’t need reheating (they’re perfect at room temperature), if you want to gently revive them, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them slightly and enhances their lemony aroma. Always be sure the glaze is set before stacking or warming.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?

It’s best to stick with dried culinary lavender for this recipe. Fresh lavender can be overpowering and sometimes bitter, while dried buds provide a balanced, consistent floral flavor. Always make sure your lavender is safe for cooking!

What if I don’t have lavender extract?

No worries! The dried buds alone deliver plenty of fragrance and taste, so the extract is totally optional. It just gives a touch more floral depth if you want to go all out.

How do I know if I’ve mixed the dough enough?

Once the dry ingredients are incorporated and the dough looks slightly crumbly but holds together when pressed, you’re done. Over-mixing can lead to tougher cookies, so less is more here!

Is food coloring necessary?

Not at all! The purple hue is just for decorative fun—this Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe tastes just as amazing with an uncolored glaze. Go with what makes you happy!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! This recipe scales up beautifully. Just be sure to mix in batches so you don’t overwork the dough, and bake one sheet at a time for the most even results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a treat that feels like a little celebration in every bite, make this Lemon Lavender Cookie Recipe your next baking project. It’s bright, cheerful, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone lucky enough to taste it. Bake a batch, share the sunshine, and enjoy every sweet, fragrant crumb!

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