I love anything lemon but especially can’t resist lemony sweets. In the heart of winter, lemony flavors whisper spring is around the corner and really lift the spirits. In this interesting cornmeal shortbread cookie, sweet meets savory. The lemon is paired beautifully with thyme in a very flaky shortbread dough sweetened with honey. Cut them in fun shapes. Perfect with a cup of tea. If life gives you lemons, make lemon~thyme shortbreads!
Lemon~Thyme Shortbread Cookies
Adapted from Better Homes and Garden
- 1 3/4 c unbleached flour
- 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1/4 c yellow cornmeal
- 1 t thyme or lemon thyme leaves
- 1 t fine lemon zest
- 2 T honey
- 3/4 c unsalted butter
- coarse sugar for finishing, optional
- Preheat at oven to 325F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, powdered sugar, lemon zest, thyme. Drizzle with honey.
- Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Turn the mixture onto your prepared bang sheet and using your hands, pat the mixture into a 9 inch square. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, score the dough into desired shapes but not cut through. I used heart shape cookie cutters but wasted a lot of dough. If cutting square cookies, your yield will increase to 3 dozen cookies. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if using.
- Bake in the middle rack for 25 minutes until golden. While the cookies are warm, recut them. Cool.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months or stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
These look so cute! Must be absolutely yummy ♥
summerdaisy.net
They sure were and I am so glad I brought them to a friend’s for dessert or I would have been too tempted! Thank you for your visit. I looked at several of your delectable offerings. The blueberry scones have my name all over them and the onion galette has me intrigued!
Another something from the oven which is oh so tempting.
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These reminded me of the shortbreads with the pansies I made for you. Brought them to Ann’s for dessert, thank goodness, or I would not be able to have just 1! How did the WSJ cookies turn out?
Johanne Lamarche
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Beautiful heart shaped shortbread cookies Johanne. I love the unusual ingredients of lemon and thyme in these shortbread cookies. I too love a good zesty flavor any day. Wishing you a Happy weekend and V-Day!
Thanks Loretta! Happy 💕❤️💕Day!!!
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“if life gives you lemons, make lemon~thyme shortbreads” — Oh my goodness, yes!!! I agree wholeheartedly with you on these delicious looking cookie, Johanne. Though I need to add that even if life doesn’t give me lemon, I will go to the store to buy them, just so I can make your lemon~thyme shortbreads. The flavour combo sounds amazing 🙂
Oh Pang, you always brighten my day and make me smile! I sure hope you get some lemons to make these cookies. Are you back home yet? Happy V Day!
Johanne Lamarche
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You always brighten my day Pang! I hope you had a good trip. Happy Valentines’ Day. I am sending you a virtual batch of the lemon thyme shortbreads!
Johanne Lamarche
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yummmmmm 🙂
What beautiful cookies. They would make anyone feel special. Happy Valentines Day Johanne
Thanks so much Julie! But I’m still pinning for your pineapple meringue tart!!! Happy B day!
Johanne Lamarche
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The photo of the blue and white bowl with the lemons is just gorgeous Johanne! As are the cookie shortbread hearts. Shortbread is a favorite of mine. Happy Valentine Week.
When the great Teresa Blackburn comments on one of my images, well my heart skips a beat! I love that lemon photo too! Played around with layering dishes to make the lemon pop. Thank you Teresa! I love shortbread too and these were very interesting with the thyme.
Johanne Lamarche
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These are just lovely!!
Thanks Mollie. Loved these!
Johanne Lamarche
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