Christmas Tea Cookies – Lemon Glazed Shortbread Bars
Tender, buttery shortbread cookies with a zesty lemon glaze — perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any citrus-lover’s holiday spread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Optional: additional zest
Instructions
- Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in lemon zest and vanilla.
- Add flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide and chill dough for at least 30–60 minutes.
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
- Bake at 325°F for 12–15 minutes, until set and just barely golden.
- Cool completely.
- Mix glaze and drizzle or dip tops of cookies. Let set.
Notes
Store at room temperature for 5–7 days. Freeze dough or baked cookies for longer storage. Add lemon extract for more citrus punch.