Save $40 on Supply Kit + All Access Class Pass!

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Paper Street Parlour

Paper Street Parlour

Cookie Decorating Classes & Supplies

AccountCart
  • Classes
  • Supply Kit
  • Recipes
    • Royal Icing
    • No-Spread Cookies
    • More Cookie Flavors
    • All Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • About
    • About Tyler
    • Contact Tyler
    • Subscribe for Updates
  • Shop
    • Online Classes
    • Supply Starter Kit
    • Cookie Cutters
    • Gift Cards
    • Amazon Favorites
Home » Blog » Recipes

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Tyler April Townley — Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

Lemon rosemary shortbread sugar cookies on a mint green plate, next to sliced fresh lemon, and fresh rosemary.
I highly suggest using fresh rosemary for these cookies.

I mentioned on twitter that I was doing cookie recipe testing, and one of my followers commented that they used to make a rosemary shortbread for Christmas every year. Rosemary? Cookie? I thought that sounded interesting, and maybe even awful, so I had to start experimenting. Even if they were gross, I wanted to try a rosemary cookie. 

Lemon rosemary shortbread sugar cookies stacked in front of fresh sliced lemon and a bundle of fresh rosemary.
Salty/sweet, lemony, herby goodness!

I have rosemary growing in my garden, and a bunch of lemons left over from testing recipes, and figured lemon and rosemary work with chicken, why not cookies? And let me tell you, they are not awful, they are not gross, they are surprisingly amazing. They’re refreshing, a little salty, sweet, and herby. If you like the whole sweet-savory flavor combo, these cookies are for you! 

Are these technically shortbread or sugar cookies?

They’re kind of both. It’s fine to call these either “decorated sugar cookies” or “decorated shortbread cookies.” But I’m going to refer to any of my cookie recipes that can used as a base for cookie decorating as “shortbread sugar cookies.”

Shortbread Cookies

  • 2 parts flour to 1 part fat
  • No eggs
  • No leavening agent
  • Dense and crispy

Sugar Cookies

  • 3 parts flour to 2 parts fat
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains a leavening agent
  • Light and Chewy

All of my shortbread sugar cookie recipes don’t rise or spread, can be used for cookie decorating, have egg, but no leavening agent, and have a 2 ¼ parts flour to 1 part fat. Which makes them fall somewhere between a shortbread and a sugar cookie. They’re both shortbread and sugar cookies, and neither shortbread or sugar cookies, at the same time. They’re Shrodinger’s cookies!

All of my shortbread sugar cookie recipes can be used for slice-and-bake cookies as well!

If you would like more info on my preferred ingredient brands, tips and tricks, FAQs, and a little cookie science, I cover all of that in my No-Spread Lemon Shortbread Sugar Cookie Recipe.

Overhead view of ingredients for lemon rosemary shortbread sugar cookies.
Vanilla extract, butter, egg, lemon, fresh rosemary, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A single lemon rosemary cookie surrounded by lemon slices and sprigs of fresh rosemary

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Sugar Cookies

No-spread lemon rosemary cookies that can be used for cut-out decorated cookies, or slice-and-bake cookies.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, cut out cookies, decorated cookies, lemon rosemary cookies, roll and cut cookies, rosemary cookies, rosemary shortbread, shortbread, slice-and-bake, sugar cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 15 cookies
Calories: 227kcal

Equipment

  • measuring spoons and cups
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • spatula
  • cutting board and knife
  • citrus zester
  • cling wrap
  • stand mixer with paddle attachment
  • cookie cutters
  • silicone baking mats
  • cookie sheets
  • rolling pin
  • large knife

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric
  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary substitute ½ tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Zest one lemon, and finely mince 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary. You can use dried rosemary, but I highly recommend using the fresh stuff.
  • Whisk flour, cornstarch and salt together and set aside.
  • Cream butter and sugars with paddle attachment, on medium-low speed, until fluffy and pale in color (about 5 minutes).
  • Add egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest and rosemary, and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Scrape down the paddle with a spatula, and then continue to mix on low speed for another 30 seconds to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
  • Add dry ingredients, all at once, and mix on low speed just until dough starts to come together and no dry bits remain. Do not overmix.
  • Turn dough out onto cling wrap, tightly wrap, and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
  • Knead, roll, cut out cookies, and return to fridge or freezer until firm. Leave a couple inches between cookies.
  • Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, rotate pan, and bake for another 1-5 minutes until edges are starting to turn golden brown.
  • Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet before handling.

Notes

  • The reason for adding 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to your dough is to prevent your cookies from shrinking or spreading during baking.
  • If making slice-and-bake cookies, split dough in half, roll into logs, wrap tightly in cling wrap or parchment paper, and refrigerate before slicing and baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 402IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to hear how it went! Rate & comment below!

Categories: Cookies, Recipes, Shortbread Sugar Cookies

You Might Also Like

Slice-and-Bake Christmas Design Cookies
Mexican hot chocolate shortbread sugar cookies on cooling rack.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Shortbread Sugar Cookies
A chocolate candy cane shortbread sugar cookie decorated to look like a mug of hot coco with a candy cane and whipped cream.
Chocolate Candy Cane Shortbread Sugar Cookies
Candy Cane Shortbread Sugar Cookies
Tyler April Townley

Hi, I’m Tyler!

A professional pastry chef turned teacher of all things cookie decorating & more. I’ve made thousands of decorated cookies, cakes, & treats for happy clients over the years. Now I’m sharing my knowledge so you too can bake & decorate like a pro.

Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter YouTube
About · Blog · Shop · Subscribe

Subscribe for Updates

Never miss a recipe or new online class!

You can also follow on Instagram & Facebook!

Learn to Decorate Today!

  • Online Cookie Decorating Masterclass
    Online Cookie Decorating Masterclass
  • Products included in my Cookie Decorating Starter Kit
    Cookie Decorating Supply Starter Kit

The All Access Online Cookie Class Pass will give you access to over 24+ current and future online cookie decorating classes for one low price. Your subscription never expires, and you will have access to every online cookie decorating class, including my cookie decorating masterclass.

Find Out More

Reader Interactions

Have a comment or question? Cancel reply

I'd love to hear from you! Your email address will not be published.

Rate this recipe!




Primary Sidebar

Tyler April Townley

Hi, I’m Tyler!

A professional pastry chef turned teacher of all things cookie decorating & more. I’ve made thousands of decorated cookies, cakes, & treats for happy clients over the years. Now I’m sharing my knowledge so you too can bake & decorate like a pro.

Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter YouTube
About · Blog · Shop · Subscribe

Subscribe for Updates

Never miss a recipe or new online!

You can also follow on Instagram & Facebook!

Learn to Decorate Today!

  • Online Cookie Decorating Masterclass
    Online Cookie Decorating Masterclass
  • Products included in my Cookie Decorating Starter Kit
    Cookie Decorating Supply Starter Kit

Trending Recipes

  • Royal icing consistency examples How to Make Royal Icing
  • Lemon shortbread sugar cookies No-Spread Lemon Shortbread Sugar Cut Out Cookies
  • a single pineapple shaped, macadamia nut cookie, dipped in chocolate, surrounded by macadamia nuts and smaller cookies Macadamia Shortbread Sugar Cookies
  • Vanilla bean cookie surrounded by vanilla bean pods Vanilla Bean Shortbread Sugar Cookies
  • How to Make Mini Shortbread Tart Shells (Tartlets)
  • A cookies and cream shortbread sugar cookie decorated to look like a cookies and cream ice cream cone. Cookies and Cream Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Subscribe for Updates

Never miss a recipe or new online class!

You can also follow on Instagram & Facebook!

  • Shop
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
  • Account
  • Cart

© 2023 Paper Street Parlour, LLC · Terms · Privacy · Site by Townhouse