Saturday, February 11, 2012

Lemon Shortbread Heart Cookies



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I promise not to overdo it, but I'd be forced to surrender my blogger badge if I failed to pay homage to Valentine's Day with at least a recipe or two. I love shortbread cookies and was delighted to find one that is shatteringly crisp and lemon scented. These are adult cookies that are perfect for a holiday tea. The cookies can, of course, be frosted, but a thin sprinkling of sugar works just as well. If you think the hearts are too hokey, a plain cookie cutter can be used. These cookies are very easy to make, but they can be tricky to roll and cut. Be sure to follow the directions in the recipe and keep the dough chilled. I carry it a bit further and actually cut the cookies on the pans used to bake them. I've found they better keep their shape if they are not moved once cut. I must also admit that I use really good butter to make these and other shortbread cookies. It's worth the cost to use the best product when there are so few ingredients in a recipe. Those of you who love lemon sweets and treats will really be pleased with these cookies and I promise to have something for those on the chocolate side of the fence before Cupid rears his curly head. Here's the recipe for the first of the Valentine's Day treats.

Lemon Shortbread Heart Cookies...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine

Ingredients:
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
2 teaspoons (about) sugar
Additional powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
1) Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using electric mixer, beat butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Beat in lemon peel and vanilla. Add flour and coarse salt and beat just until blended. Transfer dough to large piece of plastic wrap and press into disk. Cover dough with another piece of plastic wrap and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Place wrapped dough on another baking sheet and chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
2) Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Transfer wrapped dough to work surface; remove top sheet of plastic. Using a 2 to 2-1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour, cut out cookies and place on 1 parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart. Reroll dough scraps to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out additional cookies; place on second parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle top of cookies lightly with sugar (about 2 teaspoons). Chill 10 minutes.
3) Bake cookies until light brown on bottom and just barely golden around edges, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack and cool completely. Sift powdered sugar lightly over top of cookies, if desired. These can be made 3 days ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature. Yield: 12 to 16 cookies.








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35 comments :

Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook said...

My daughter would love these! She is obsessed with anything that has lemon. These sound very refreshing :)
Thank you for sharing!

Alessandra said...

I like the idea of lemon shortbread, the lemon zest is perfect with butter :-).

Ciao
Alessandra

Unknown said...

I'm still trying to decide what to make for Valentine's day. I might give these a go, they look really nice.

James B said...

These sound delightful, and I think the idea of them having lemon added is great.

Nisha said...

bookmarked , very beautiful cookies

What's Baking?? said...

First of all, I love shortbread. The tangy lemony flavor in the shortbread is just out of this world. Happy Valentines Day, Mary.

Lynn said...

I know I would love these cookies:@)

Regina said...

Yummy. Miss coming here!
Happy weekend Mary.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

HAve a great amd loving Valentines this are perfect Dear Mary!

Carol at Serendipity said...

Mary,

These look wonderful and would be perfect with a cup of tea. I am saving this for a later date!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Carol

Sue/the view from great island said...

These are such a nice change from all the chocolate that is swirling around the Internet right now, and the heart shape is just the perfect subtle Valentine's touch.

Martha said...

crisp butter cookie thats lemon scented? count me in!!

Diane said...

I love both shortbread and lemon so this sounds like a great combination to me. Yum yum. Diane

Tanna said...

Lemon and butter: a marriage made in heaven! blessings ~ tanna

grubarazzi said...

These are gorgy!

Ricette&Vignette said...

My favourite cookies, we call them frollini, they melt in your mouth and soo delicious! yours are fantastic!

Velva said...

Beautiful! You have honored your food blog badge. A wonderful heart-shaped shortbread style cookie cannot be beat-Awesome.

Velva

Guvi said...

I love lemons and I love shortbread, so this is a win-win combination! Happy Valentine's Day, Mary! Thank you!

Judy@SavoringToday said...

Lover of everything lemon, these cookies appeal to me immensely! I have to be careful though, I eat too many.

tender b. said...

I echo the above commenter. Give me lemon and I'll give it a thumbs up.

Buttercup said...

These make their way to my heart. I love all things lemon.

Retrogirl said...

hmmm. wondering if I can substitute a gluten free flour with similar results....beautiful cookies {I <3 hearts!!}

Valérie said...

They are adorable! I agree that it's worth getting good ingredients when you know they'll stand out in the finished product. Have a good weekend!

Baking Addict said...

How cute! They look really soft and buttery and delicious.

David said...

Mary, My wife and I both love shortbread cookies. Thanks for the sweet and tasty recipe! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Oh, I just love these. I don't usually like frosted cookies and lemon flavored shortbread sounds heavenly! I may have to dig out my heart cookie cutter for these.

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

My "Crabby Cabbie" would smoke these, Mary, as he loves pretty much anything with lemon in it. I am looking forward to your chocolate creation. Wonderful day to you & yours, Mary.

Cindy

Anonymous said...

such beautiful cookies - and SO nice to have Lemon flavor rather than chocolate for a valentines for a change!
mary x

Claudia said...

You know - I'm more attracted to these than all the chocolate ones out there - and I love chocolate! I think it's the lemon - the brightness that makes me say - I need this in the middle of February.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

I haven't thought about any Valentine post yet and upon reading your first two lines, it made me realized Valentine's day is in a few days... what better way to pay homage to the D day with heart cookies.
have a great weekend,
malou

Joanne said...

These lemony cookies are so refreshing given all the chocolate that's out there lately!

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

These are the perfect cookie for Valentine's day!

Jeannie said...

I love citrus flavored food so this would be right up my alley!
Such beautiful creation...

Teena said...

So pretty!! If you are willing to, you can share this recipe with my ongoing-''Valentine's Day Event''(till Feb 20th)

Beverly said...

I love shortbread. I think I will plan to bake these with my sweet grandson. He is loving learning to cook and bake.

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