White Chocolate Dipped Lemon Shortbread

Name: White Chocolate Dipped Lemon Shortbread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, (softened); 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 2 1/2 Tbsp (15g) lemon zest ((from about 4 medium lemons)); 1/4 tsp salt; 2 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups (284g) all-purpose flour ((scoop and level to measure)); 12 oz. vanilla candy melts or chopped white chocolate; 1/3 cup (50g) unsalted pistachios, (chopped (optional))

Published December 17, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

Classic buttery shortbread cookies with an upgrade of bright fresh lemon flavor, sweet white chocolate and crisp pistachios. A fun change from all the classic holiday cookies! These are sure to impress yet they’re actually really easy to make!

Shortbread Cookies with Lemon and White Chocolate!

Talk about perfect flavor pairing for cookies! Tangy zippy lemon with sweet vanilla white chocolate to balance it out.

Everyone who tasted these loved them and of course I was totally smitten! It was one of those treats that was hard to photograph without sneaking bite after bite.

Most holiday cookie trays consist of classics like peanut butter blossoms, chocolate crinkle cookies, gingerbread cookies, peppermint cookies and sugar cookies but I’m thinking lemon cookies definitely deserve a place there. Who doesn’t love lemon?

Plus lemons are in season right now so what better time to make these delicious lemony cookies?

Ingredients for Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Lemons
Salt
Vanilla
All-purpose flour
Vanilla candy melts or white chocolate
Unsalted pistachios (optional)

How to Make Lemon Shortbread Cookies

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter, sugar, lemon zest and salt.
Mix in lemon juice and vanilla extract.

Add flour and mix until well combined (it will seem sandy at first but keep mixing and it will come together well).
Scoop dough out and compress dough with your hands (so they’re aren’t any holes in the middle).

Shape into a 10-inch log on a lightly floured surface.
Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 15 minutes of chilling.
Remove dough from refrigerator and slice log into 1/3-inch thick slices.

Transfer 12 slices to ungreased 18 by 13-inch baking sheet and bake until bottoms are lightly golden and cookies are set, about 13 – 16 minutes.
Keep remaining dough chilled. Repeat process with remaining dough, adding slices to a clean, cool baking sheet.
Let cookies cool on baking sheet 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cool melt vanilla candy melts or white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring well between intervals until melted and smooth.
Dip half of each cooking in candy melts, shake off excess, then transfer to a sheet or parchment paper. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios before is starts to set.
Let set then store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Tips for This Shortbread

Only use real butter. Never use margarine or shortening in shortbread.
Use a zester to zest the lemon NOT a cheese grater.
Be careful not to get any of the white lemon pith when zesting, rotate the lemon as you zest and use light pressure – otherwise cookies could be bitter.
Don’t skip the chilling time or cookies will spread way too much. Cookies will still spread some even after chilling, so if not chilled at all you might end up with wafers.
Use a ruler to measure. I like to at least measure out the first slice to get an idea of the right thickness when cutting.

How Should I Store Them?

Store them at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Can I Freeze These Cookies?

Yes these can be frozen. Shortbread cookies freeze really well. Freeze in an airtight container up to 4 – 6 weeks.

More Delicious Christmas Cookies to Try!

Butter Cookies (like Danish cookies in the tin)
One Santa Cookie one super easy to make M&M cookie
Italian Ricotta Cookies (or try the Orange Chocolate Chip Version)
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Cookies
Mexican Wedding Cookies

Follow Cooking Classy

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe