Lemon Glazed Christmas Tree Shortbread cookies are a delightful twist on the traditional holiday shortbread, offering a burst of citrusy freshness paired with the rich, buttery texture of the classic cookie. Shaped like festive Christmas trees and topped with a zesty lemon glaze, these cookies are both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. The combination of a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base with a sweet, tangy glaze makes for a perfect holiday treat that is sure to impress your guests. These cookies are not only a festive addition to your holiday cookie tray, but they also make great gifts, whether you’re packing them up in a box or simply offering them as a holiday snack. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, baking with the family, or just craving a sweet treat, Lemon Glazed Christmas Tree Shortbread is a must-try. Plus, with their simple preparation and quick baking time, these cookies will quickly become a holiday favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect for the Holidays

These cookies are beautifully shaped like Christmas trees and topped with a vibrant lemon glaze, making them the ideal festive treat for the holiday season.

2. Buttery and Rich

The buttery shortbread base melts in your mouth, providing the perfect balance of richness and sweetness, complemented by the tangy lemon glaze.

3. Easy to Make

With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe is perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers looking for a quick, impressive treat.

4. Versatile Glaze

The fresh lemon glaze adds a sweet, tart kick that pairs perfectly with the buttery cookies. You can also adjust the glaze’s sweetness and lemon intensity to your liking.

5. Great for Gifting

These cookies are a great addition to holiday gift baskets or a charming homemade gift to give friends and family. Their cute shape and delicious flavor make them an extra special treat.

Ingredients

Unsalted butter (softened)
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Salt
Lemon zest
Fresh lemon juice (for glaze)

Variations

Add Sprinkles: Decorate the glazed cookies with colorful sprinkles or edible glitter to make them even more festive.
Use Other Citrus: If you’re not a fan of lemon, you can swap the lemon zest and juice for orange or lime zest and juice for a different citrus twist.
Dip in Chocolate: After glazing, you can dip the edges of the cookies in melted white or dark chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
Add Herbs: For a unique flavor, try adding finely chopped rosemary to the dough for a fragrant herb-infused shortbread.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix in the flour, salt, and lemon zest until the dough begins to form. Be sure to incorporate everything evenly for the best texture.

Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Prepare the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth and glossy. You can adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar if you want a thicker glaze, or more lemon juice for a thinner glaze.

Step 7: Glaze the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over each cookie, allowing it to set before serving. This will give the cookies a lovely shiny finish.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Let the glaze set before serving. Once the glaze hardens, enjoy your delicious Lemon Glazed Christmas Tree Shortbread cookies with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to roll out, you can chill it for 15-20 minutes in the fridge to make it easier to handle.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking to prevent them from becoming too golden. They should have a delicate, light golden color at the edges.
Glaze Timing: Wait for the cookies to cool completely before glazing. This helps prevent the glaze from melting into the warm cookie and ensures a nice coating.
Use Fresh Lemons: For the best flavor, use fresh lemons for zest and juice rather than bottled lemon juice.

How to Serve

Serve these festive cookies as part of your holiday dessert table or gift them in a cute box to friends and family. They also make a great snack with a warm beverage like hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. Their sweet, tangy flavor pairs well with any holiday gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Be sure the glaze is fully set before stacking them to avoid smudging.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked dough for up to 3 months. Just roll and cut out the cookies, place them on a baking sheet to freeze, and transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just bake the cookies from frozen and add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature. If you’d like to warm them up, place them in a preheated oven for just a couple of minutes at 200°F (93°C) to soften them slightly.

FAQs

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the dough. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt called for in the recipe.

2. Can I make these cookies in a different shape?

Absolutely! You can use any holiday-themed cookie cutter, or even cut the dough into squares or circles.

3. Can I skip the lemon glaze?

Yes, you can skip the glaze if you prefer a more traditional shortbread cookie, or dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a simple finish.

4. How thick should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness for the best texture. If it’s too thin, the cookies might become too crispy.

5. Can I use store-bought lemon zest?

If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use store-bought lemon zest, but fresh zest provides the best flavor.

6. How do I make sure my cookies don’t spread too much while baking?

Make sure your dough is chilled before baking to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

7. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both the unbaked dough and the baked cookies. Just make sure the glaze has fully set before freezing baked cookies.

8. How can I make these cookies more colorful?

Decorate the glaze with colored sugar, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a festive touch.

9. How long do these cookies last?

These cookies will stay fresh for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container.

10. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can be used, butter will give you the best flavor and texture for shortbread cookies.

Conclusion

Lemon Glazed Christmas Tree Shortbread cookies are the perfect combination of buttery goodness and bright citrus flavor. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, giving them as gifts, or simply enjoying them with a cup of tea, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite. Their easy preparation, festive shape, and sweet glaze make them a fun and delicious addition to your holiday traditions.