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    Home » Recipes » Cookie Recipes

    Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

    Dec 11, 2017 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Dec 1, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    These pretty lemon shortbread cookies are topped with a sweet glaze and pistachios, for a delicious and easy sweet treat.

    lemon pistachio cookies sliced

    Shortbread cookies are always a favourite of mine, any time of year. They are especially nice for the holidays though, as they are both delicious and keep well. These Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookies add a little extra, topping buttery, flaky shortbread cookies with a tangy, lemon icing sugar glaze and a sprinkling of salted, roasted pistachios.

    While these may look fancy, they are in fact, super easy to make. The cookies bake up in a round in a pan. Simply press in the dough! Once cut into wedges, they are just dipped into the glaze and sprinkled with pistachios. No need for piping bags here.

    So I hope you will give these delicious cookies a try over the holidays. They keep really well and you can even freeze them. And of course, they would make a lovely gift cookie.

    These Lemon Pistachio Shortbread cookies are the trifecta of cookies. Pretty, easy and delicious. Everything you want for holiday baking!

    Cook's Notes

    If you have a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, that would be ideal for these cookies. Not only will you be able to remove them from the pan easily, you will get a lovely scalloped edge around the outside of your cookies.

    I didn't have a 9-inch tart pan though, so I used a 9-inch round cake pan lined with a round of parchment on the bottom. It bakes up just as well, but makes it a little trickier to remove the cookies after they've cooled. I find that lifting out the first cookie with a fork from the thick, outside edge is the easiest way to go. Once you have the first one out, it's a breeze after that. If it happens to break, consider it a "baker's sample" and eat it. You'll still be able to make a nice circle of cookies even if you're missing that one ;)

    As you dip your cookies to glaze, you may start to get some small bits of cookie in your glaze. Simply use a spoon to move those bits to the edges, away from where you are dipping, so you don't get cookie bits in your glaze.

    Top Tip! I've increased the amount of glaze here, as I find that it's much easier to dip when you start with a good amount of glaze. You don't want to be scraping the bottom of the bowl. That's not going to make pretty cookies. Having more glaze to start just avoids all that, but it does mean that you will have more than you need to glaze all these cookies. I hate to waste, but it's only a bit of icing sugar and lemon juice. Or if you happen to have other baking that needs a dollop of something, you can use your extra that way.

    lemon pistachio cookies sliced
     

    lemon pistachio cookies sliced

    Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

    Pretty, easy and delicious, these cookies have a buttery, flaky shortbread cookie, topped with a tangy lemon glaze and sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Keep well and can be frozen, too!
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 20 ratings
    Print it Pin it + Collection Go to Collections Share by Email
    Prep Time 50 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Course Snack
    Servings 16 cookies

    Ingredients
     

    Cookies:

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 3/4 cup icing sugar
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla, or vanilla bean paste
    • 1/4 tsp salt, less if using salted butter
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    Topping:

    • 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
    • 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained of seeds and pulp
    • 1/4 cup salted, roasted pistachios, finely chopped
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or in a bowl with an electric mixer, beat together butter, icing sugar vanilla and salt until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in flour just until combined.
    • Press dough into a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom (or alternately, a 9-inch round cake pan, lining the bottom with a round of parchment paper.) Flatten dough with the palm of your hand to make a smooth surface. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the dough in to 16 wedges. Prick each wedge with a fork twice. Refrigerate pan with dough until firm, about 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300F.
    • Bake cookies in preheated oven until firm and pale golden, about 50-55 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then, using a sharp knife, cut through the score lines you made before baking, wiping off the blade between each cut. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
    • Meanwhile, prepare glaze by whisking together the icing sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Tip: Be sure to use a bowl that will allow you to dip the cookies in flat from end to end, so it should be at least 5-inches wide. That said, don't use too big a bowl or your glaze will be too thin a layer and you may bottom-out when you dip).
    • Remove cookies from pan to a rack. Holding a cookie by the sides, dip the top of the cookie into the glaze to coat. Hold point side down and allow the excess to drip off. Gently remove any drip at the point end by running it along the edge of the bowl. Place on to rack. Once you've done 4 or 5, sprinkle those ones with some of the chopped pistachio. Repeat until you have glazed and sprinkled all the cookies. Allow to stand until the glaze is set, about 1 hour. Store in a flat even layer in an airtight container. These keep well stored at room temperature for about a week. These would also freeze well!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 42mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Snack
    Cuisine American, Canadian
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah says

      December 27, 2017 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      I made these tonight for a party I'm going to tomorrow. My husband, who doesn't tend to like lemon or citrus, thought they looked good so he decided to try one. He went back for seconds and thirds and wanted one for his lunch tomorrow as well! I guess they were a hit (I loved them as well!). I'll just take a few less to the party. :-D

      Thanks for all the recipes you share all year! Happy New Year! I'll look forward to what you are bringing to the table in 2018.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 28, 2017 at 8:46 am

        Thanks so much, Sarah :) Glad they were a hit! Happy New Year to you, as well!

        Reply
        • Sarah says

          December 29, 2017 at 12:04 am

          I thought I'd update you.... These cookies were the first ones gone at the party I attended tonight! Several people asked for the recipe so I'll be sending them to your site!

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            December 29, 2017 at 8:40 am

            That's great! I know first hand how hard these are to resist. They sat on my counter for a few days and I couldn't manage to walk by them without breaking off a piece :)

            Reply
    2. Niki says

      December 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is my new favorite recipe. The shortbread is so tender and buttery. The glaze is delicious. Eating one was not enough!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 23, 2017 at 9:13 am

        Thanks Niki and so glad to hear! And I know I didn't stop at one ;)

        Reply
    3. Beverly says

      December 21, 2017 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are fantastic! Love the play of flavour and texture. I thought I was making them for my family but my son and hubby quickly snagged them to bring to work that day! Super easy yet presented elegantly! Looks like I’m baking again today! ?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm

        So glad to hear, Beverly and yes, I love how easy, but pretty these cookies are, not to mention pretty darned tasty :) Thanks!

        Reply
    4. Anna says

      December 13, 2017 at 4:51 am

      5 stars
      This shortbread looks absolutely gorgeous! I can almost taste it too! Beautiful work!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 13, 2017 at 7:51 am

        Thanks so much, Anna :)

        Reply
    5. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      These are just soo pretty! I'd love to try them. Some of my fav flavors!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 12, 2017 at 2:23 pm

        Thanks so much, Natasha :)

        Reply
    6. Lisa Cassell-Arms says

      December 12, 2017 at 8:40 am

      These looks fantastic! I love pistachio and lemon together- will make them this holiday season. Thanks for a lovely blog - from another cold region like mine!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 12, 2017 at 8:43 am

        Thanks so much, Lisa and yes, Vermont and Muskoka have a lot in common. Watching it snow as I type :)

        Reply
    7. Dalila G. says

      December 12, 2017 at 8:24 am

      YES.....YES!!
      What a divine cookie Jennifer, you sure do make me drool.....LOL!
      Another recipe that I'm adding to my Christmas cookie list of "MUST-MAKE NOW".
      Have a nice day!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 12, 2017 at 8:44 am

        Thanks so much, Dalila :) You won't be disappointed in these cookies. I've been munching on them all week and they are still delicious :)

        Reply
    8. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:28 am

      So pretty, love that glaze and pistachio topping!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 12, 2017 at 8:03 am

        Thanks so much, Laura :)

        Reply
    9. YURIKO says

      December 11, 2017 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Hi ! Looks very elegant and awesome looking ! Would you any recommend for substituting with Pistachio ? Any different nuts ? Or even without it is OK to make ?

      Thank you so much !

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 8:26 pm

        Hi Yuriko and thanks :) You could skip the nuts and just garnish with poppy seeds and a bit of lemon zest.

        Reply
    10. Giselle @ The Busy Spatula says

      December 11, 2017 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      Love that they're so simple to shape! They look way more work intensive than they are. Lovely cookies :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:39 pm

        Thanks Giselle and yes, these were so easy to make, but only we'll know that ;)

        Reply
    11. Kendall says

      December 11, 2017 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      I looooove that these cookies are dual demensional because they could be left in cake form or they could be cut like you did into individual cookies

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:42 pm

        Thanks Kendall and yes, very true!

        Reply
    12. Tamara Andersen says

      December 11, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love buttery shortbread, and you've got a wonderful combination of flavors in your Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookies! I love your tip to be sure to make plenty of glaze. I get so frustrated when making anything that needs dipping or spreading, and you're scraping out the bowl to finish the job! Merry Christmas!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:42 pm

        Thanks Tamara and yes, I've done that bowl scraping thing and it's frustrating! I try my best to avoid frustrations in the kitchen :)

        Reply
    13. Milena | Craft Beering says

      December 11, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the tips you share - I'd be disappointed if mine didn't turn out as pretty, so thankful for the tips. The glaze sounds absolutely perfect and the flavor of the lemon paired with the pistachios is right up my alley! Beautiful pictures as always!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:40 pm

        Thanks so much, Milena :)

        Reply
    14. Meg | Meg is Well says

      December 11, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      These are so pretty! I would have such a hard time only grabbing one of these, I could probably eat all of them.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 6:39 pm

        Thanks Meg and yes, I've been having a hard time leaving these alone :)

        Reply
    15. Alisa says

      December 11, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Gorgeous! And it sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 12:42 pm

        Thanks so much, Alisa :)

        Reply
    16. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      December 11, 2017 at 11:03 am

      I've died and gone to holiday cookie heaven Jennifer! I can never get enough shortbread at holiday time! Delicious work!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 11:55 am

        Thanks Mary Ann!

        Reply
    17. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

      December 11, 2017 at 10:23 am

      Oh my, those look so special, the flavor combo is one I've never tried, but it's a natural! Pinning and sharing :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 11:55 am

        Thanks so much, Sue :)

        Reply
    18. Cindy says

      December 11, 2017 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      Can I come to your kitchen for Xmas? What a fabulous combinations of lemon and pistachio. It is so beautifully presented. Thanks for including the removal tips! Love how you improvised and shared those tricks. Lovely!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 11:55 am

        Thanks Cindy :) Turned out I had a 10-inch and a 12-inch tart pan, but no 9-inch! Sometimes, you have to improvise in the kitchen, for sure.

        Reply
    19. cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says

      December 11, 2017 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      Shortbread is a must for the holidays. Loving the glaze and crunch of those nuts!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 9:42 am

        Thanks so much, Cathy :)

        Reply
    20. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:47 am

      These look absolutely delicious Jennifer! Loves me some shortbread cookies :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:58 am

        Thanks Dawn and me, too :)

        Reply
    21. Chris Scheuer says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      I would love to be a little mouse living somewhere in your kitchen. I know I would give everything 5 stars!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:58 am

        Thanks Chris :)

        Reply
    22. Chris Scheuer says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:21 am

      These look and sound amazing Jennifer and I love how easy they are. What a wonderful combination of flavors!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:57 am

        Thanks Chris and yes, loved these flavours :)

        Reply
    23. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:18 am

      These are SO lovely, Jennifer! Very delicate looking. Perfect for a cup of tea!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:57 am

        Thanks so much, Liz :)

        Reply
    24. [email protected] says

      December 11, 2017 at 7:16 am

      5 stars
      This is everything we want in our holiday baking....and then some! I just love buttery shortbread and this fits the bill! Happy holidays, my friend!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:57 am

        Thanks Annie and to you and yours, as well :)

        Reply
    25. Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says

      December 11, 2017 at 6:34 am

      The perfect cookie with everything I love - buttery crisp shortbread, and bright lemon icing! How perfect for anytime of the year but especially during the holidays. Sharing and pinning!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2017 at 7:56 am

        Thanks so much, Tricia :)

        Reply
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