Buttery Lemon Lavender Shortbread
There’s something about lavender and lemon that feels like sunshine, gardens, and slow afternoons all wrapped into one.
And if you’ve spent any time in the fictional town of Hope Hill, you probably already know why lavender holds a special place in my heart.
In Return to Lavender House, Nicole St. James returns to Hope Hill after the sudden loss of her parents. Coming home means facing memories she thought she'd left behind, reconnecting with her sisters, and discovering that the house where they grew up may still be holding secrets of its own.
Hope Hill is surrounded by beautiful lavender fields, so I wanted to create a simple recipe that feels as though it could have come straight from Nicole's kitchen at Lavender House.
These Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies are buttery, lightly sweet, and flavored with bright lemon and just a delicate touch of lavender.
They're the kind of cookie made for putting the kettle on, opening a good book, and giving yourself permission to slow down for a while.
A Little Taste of Hope Hill
Lavender can sometimes sound like an unusual ingredient for baking, but the secret is using a very small amount.
You don't want your cookies to taste like perfume!
Instead, culinary lavender adds a delicate floral note that pairs beautifully with fresh lemon. Combined with rich, buttery shortbread, the result is a cookie that tastes special without being complicated.
They're perfect for spring and summer gatherings, afternoon tea, book-club meetings, bridal showers, or simply enjoying alongside your favorite coffee or tea.
And, of course, I think they're especially perfect for eating while reading a cozy romance.
Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Makes: About 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30–60 minutes
Bake Time: 10–14 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender, finely chopped
Optional Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- A small pinch of finely chopped culinary lavender for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Lavender
Make sure you're using culinary lavender specifically intended for cooking or baking.
Finely chop the lavender buds. You can also gently crush them between your fingers to help release their fragrance.
A little lavender goes a long way, so resist the temptation to add extra.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and fresh lemon zest and mix until combined.
At this point, your kitchen should already smell wonderful.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and chopped culinary lavender.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Try not to overmix the dough, as shortbread is best when it stays tender and crumbly.
4. Chill the Dough
Turn the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape it into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter.
Wrap the dough tightly in the parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to slice easily.
You can also leave it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours if you'd like to prepare the dough ahead of time.
5. Slice the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and slice it into rounds approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
6. Bake
Bake for approximately 10–14 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn lightly golden.
Shortbread shouldn't become deeply browned.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Add the Lemon Glaze
These cookies are delicious on their own, but if you love lemon, the glaze makes them even more special.
Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
Start with 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice and add a little more if needed until you reach a drizzleable consistency.
Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the tops.
If you'd like, sprinkle just a few tiny pieces of culinary lavender over the glaze before it sets.
A Few Tips for Baking With Lavender
If you've never baked with lavender before, there are a few things worth remembering.
Always use culinary lavender. Lavender sold for crafts, decorating, or fragrance isn't necessarily intended for consumption.
Less is more. Lavender should be a subtle background flavor rather than the first thing you taste.
Pair it with something bright or sweet. Lemon, honey, vanilla, berries, and white chocolate all pair beautifully with lavender.
For these cookies, the fresh lemon keeps the floral flavor light and refreshing.
How to Store Your Shortbread Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
If you've added the glaze, allow it to set completely before stacking the cookies. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to keep them looking pretty.
You can also freeze the unbaked shortbread dough. Wrap the dough log tightly and freeze it, then thaw it in the refrigerator until it's firm but easy enough to slice.
That means you can have freshly baked Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies whenever you're ready for a cozy afternoon treat.
Pour the Tea and Escape to Hope Hill
I love creating recipes that feel connected to the places and characters in my books, and these cookies immediately make me think of Lavender House.
I can imagine a plate of them sitting on the kitchen table while Nicole, Ashley, and Megan share coffee, memories, and perhaps a few discoveries about the home where they grew up.
Because Return to Lavender House isn't only about uncovering secrets.
It's about coming home.
It's about sisters finding their way back to one another, old feelings resurfacing, and discovering that sometimes a new beginning can be waiting in the very place you thought you'd left behind.
So make yourself a batch of Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies, pour your favorite drink, find a comfortable reading spot, and spend a little time in Hope Hill.
You might discover that you're not quite ready to leave.