This is such a simple recipe for shortbread and I only make it during the spring/summer/fall when my thyme is growing as the dough requires 2 tbsp. of fresh thyme leaves and that is a lot. However, you can freeze the dough and slice off as many cookies as you want to eat.
This recipe will make you give up regular shortbread, as it did me, because the lemon and thyme add so much additional flavor. Walker’s Shortbread was Gene’s favorite unless of course I made my own. This recipe comes from Southern Lady which I have adapted.
Lemon and Thyme Shortbread
- 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves (lemon thyme leaves would be good too)
- 1 tbsp. lemon zest
- 3-1/2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. salt
Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugar and beat well; then add the lemon zest and thyme leaves, beating well.
In another bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat just to combine. I used my hands towards the end of mixing. Shape dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes.
Divide dough into 3 parts and roll into 3 (1-1/2-inch) logs. Make sure the dough is combined well as you make your rolls. Wrap tightly again in plastic wrap and chill for an hour or up to 5 days. The dough can also be frozen at this time.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut each roll into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. If the dough is very cold it could take longer to bake. I left the dough in overnight and it took an extra 4 minutes. Let cool and place on a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
These would be good to serve with Grilled Fruit for Dessert.
I also believe lemon and thyme add so much additional flavor. These shortbread are perfect!
Thanks a lot Fae – they really are good – just a nice hint of lemon and thyme 🙂
Wonderful recipe and your Shortbread look perfect 🙂
Thanks Linda – these little cookies are very good 🙂
Phew, love this one too! 😀
Julianna, I love my herbs and enjoy cooking more now when everything is so fresh 🙂
Excited to try this one right away – I have lots of thyme plants in the garden!
I hope you do try them – thyme and lemon give such a nice flavor to these cookies 🙂
Mmm…your kitchen must have smelled wonderful!
It sure did Patty 🙂
I do like this recipe too! 🙂 I almost can feel amazing smell of shortbread! Yummy!