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Lemon-Basil Cookies Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

These Lemon-Basil Cookies are a delightful twist on classic butter cookies, combining the bright zest of fresh lemon with aromatic basil for a refreshing and unique flavor. Perfectly tender and lightly crisp around the edges, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for tea time or any sweet craving.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup confectioners' sugar
  • 8 tablespoons cold butter, diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Optional Garnish

  • Sparkling sugar for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Make Dough: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, cold diced butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla bean paste, chopped basil, and sea salt. Pulse until the mixture begins to clump together and forms a dough.
  3. Form Dough Balls: Transfer the dough to a bowl to ensure it is well mixed. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out portions of the dough and roll into balls. If the dough feels sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or dust your hands with powdered sugar before rolling to make it easier.
  4. Shape Cookies: Place the dough balls a few inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Dip the bottom of a drinking glass into powdered sugar, then gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it into a cookie disk shape.
  5. Garnish and Bake: Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with sparkling sugar if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn just golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for a few minutes; cookies will be fragile while warm.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough helps manage stickiness and results in better-shaped cookies.
  • Using a glass dipped in powdered sugar prevents the dough from sticking when pressing down.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • For a stronger lemon flavor, you can increase the lemon zest slightly or substitute lemon juice with lemon extract.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/lemon-basil-cookies-recipe/