Lemon Olive Oil Shortbread Cookies
Delicate shortbread cookies infused with bright lemon zest and rich olive oil, delivering a tender crumb and subtle citrus aroma. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, extra virgin olive oil into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp coarse sugar (for sprinkling)
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, and 1/2 tsp baking powder.
- Step 2: Add 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon zest, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
- Step 3: Using your hands, form the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball gently with the bottom of a glass.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the tops with 2 tbsp coarse sugar for crunch and bake for 18-20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.








