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Lemon, for you, I’ll bake

July 26, 2012 By Katrina

It’s summer. It’s hot. My poor little oven groans every time I feel the culinary call. “Again?” it says. “Can’t we just pop in a Christmas movie and snack on a pack of Oreos?”

“Oh, little oven,” I reply. “These are the days life lessons are made of. We must put in the effort, even when we feel zapped by the sun. No day should be wasted when lemons are near.” And so, with that, we bake.

Clearly the heat is causing hallucinations, as my frequency of communicating with kitchen appliances is decidedly less in the winter. But I suppose even in a heat-induced state, there is truth to be found in ye olde “When life gives you lemons” adage. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that summertime is lousy with lemons (and I mean lousy in the loveliest sense of the word). It must be nature’s way of reminding us that if we are patient, the seasons to follow are sure to feel as refreshing as the taste of summer’s citrus.

Lemon is undoubtedly my go-to ingredient in the summer, largely because it packs that natural cool-down effect. These lemon shortbread cookies (discovered through a cookie search on Pinterest) are like tiny bursts of cool, sweet goodness, chased by a blast of lemony love. After they’ve baked and cooled completely, stick them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them. The added chill from the fridge makes them extra irresistible and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. So good, even my oven forgives me.

••••••••••••••••••••

Lemon Shortbread
From Technicolor Kitchen (as taken from Donna Hay magazine)

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• finely grated zest of 2 lemons
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Cream butter and 1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar with an electric mixture until super light and creamy, about 8 minutes. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, and mix until combined. Add the vanilla, and beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and cornstarch. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, and mix until just combined (overmixing can lead to tough cookies — and not the street-smarts kind).

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and divide it in half on two separate sheets of parchment paper. Form each half into a log about 8 inches long (I like to square off the edges so my cookies have a fun shape). Wrap the logs in the parchment paper, and chill for about 1 ½ hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats. Unwrap one of the dough logs, and slice into 1-centimeter-thick cookies. Place the cookies on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart, and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the edges barely begin turning golden (the bottoms should be golden as well).

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then roll the still-warm cookies in the remaining 2/3 cup of confectioners’ sugar until they’re completely coated. Cool them the rest of the way on a wire rack. Serve room temperature or chilled (chilled is the best!). Makes about 40 cookies.

••••••••••••••••••••

Are baking through the heat wave or managing to survive on store-bought or no-bake goodies? What’s your favorite recipe for the steamy summer months? Do tell!

XO,
Katrina

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Filed Under: Cookies, Fresh from the oven Tagged With: baking, cookies, dessert, food, lemon, lemon shortbread, pinterest, refreshing, shortbread, summer recipes, sweets

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Comments

  1. bubblybaker says

    July 26, 2012 at 6:35 am

    haha Katrina, I love that you openly talk to your appliances too… I thought I was the only one! P.s. Loving your piccies of the lemon shortbread, looks delish!!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      July 26, 2012 at 7:20 am

      Sooo glad I’m not the only one! It’s good to know there are other daydreamy bakers out there, too. 🙂

  2. Patricia Awapara says

    July 26, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Looks yummy! I will try it with my nieces! Thanks

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      July 26, 2012 at 7:20 am

      Thanks! Hope you like them!

  3. Daily Dose of Fresh says

    July 26, 2012 at 8:29 am

    Oh my! your pictures are soo beautiful, they look lovely.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      July 26, 2012 at 8:50 am

      Thank you! Pretty cookies sure make fun models. 🙂

  4. cravesadventure says

    July 28, 2012 at 10:41 am

    YUMMERS:)

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      July 29, 2012 at 5:37 am

      🙂

  5. stirandstitch says

    July 31, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    lemony buttery shortbread…yum!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      July 31, 2012 at 1:26 pm

      Perfect for a summer day! 🙂

  6. Karen says

    August 19, 2012 at 7:06 am

    Yum, yum and more YUM!

  7. angelshalosandwings says

    August 19, 2012 at 7:12 am

    the pics look yummy… but my monitor screen just won’t pop one out… 🙁
    guess I’ll have to spend sometime in the kitchen to taste 1…

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Too bad computers don’t work that way. Wouldn’t that be AMAZING?!? 🙂

  8. ChangeTheWorld says

    August 19, 2012 at 7:19 am

    Looks great! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love no bake peanut butter and chocolate creations for the summer.

    http://stepstochangetheworld.wordpress.com/

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Mmm. Peanut butter and chocolate. Sounds perfect!

  9. Suparna Chaudhry says

    August 19, 2012 at 7:54 am

    This looks great; I love lemons too – definitely gonna try it! My favorite summer baking recipes are lemon bars and cobblers!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Cobblers, yes! Best summer dessert!

  10. ljpeck says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Reblogged this on buckhouse and commented:
    Lemon shortcake from Splash of Something looks fabulous!

  11. afterthekidsleave says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:11 am

    When we moved in April, I decided to take a sabbatical from baking. Now it’s August and I can feel the pull of the oven (hello Mortimer) all the way from my upstairs office. I blame this recipe and photos for me falling off the wagon!
    Thanks for the recipe, I’ll go buy some lemons and dive right in.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 11:58 am

      It’s OK to fall off the wagon sometimes. Your tummy will thank you, I promise!

  12. gauravdey says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:21 am

    YUMMY !!

  13. Sarah Doyle says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:46 am

    I love lemon and this recipe sounds great. There was an exception to my lemon-love: years ago, at a Polish restaurant in Moscow, they had nothing on the menu that we actually wanted to order. We just kept guessing our way through until we found something they had. I don’t remember what it was, but it was pretty good. Dessert, same thing: we worked our way down the list until we found something they had. It turned out to be four slices of lemon on a plate. No sugar, no nada. I still wonder if it was just a joke on the Americans.

    Congrats on being FP and thanks for the recipe!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 11:59 am

      How strange! I wonder if it was a joke. Or maybe super special lemons?

  14. abichica says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:53 am

    i have never baked in my life, but i would really love to learn.. :-).. this looks like such a delicious recipe..

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      It’s easy, too! Baking isn’t too tricky at all if you find something that makes the time worthwhile. Good luck!

  15. missmojiberry says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:57 am

    salivating!!!!!

  16. weninroam says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I’m obsessed with lemon, too! Pretty much great on everything.

  17. walid ataya says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:22 am

    buy your oven a gift.:)

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:00 pm

      Done and done. That oven is a jewel. 🙂

  18. Debbie says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:48 am

    I have a co-worker who loves lemon anything. I always try to include a lemon cookie when I bake for office parties. This one is is going to the next party!

  19. Crista says

    August 19, 2012 at 10:35 am

    YUUUUUM

  20. swimmersbun says

    August 19, 2012 at 11:37 am

    I have a recipe that’s essentially the same. When I make them, they don’t last long. The first seems unimpressive, but before you know it you’re reaching for more and they’re all gone. I just love to serve them with freshly made whipped cream made from scratch, the real stuff, or some fresh fruit.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:01 pm

      They go fast in our house, too! Whipped cream sounds like a great addition!

  21. gwynnem says

    August 19, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    I love lemony goodness in my desserts, too. Great post.

  22. suward14 says

    August 19, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Hey I really like your banner. Did you make it yourself? Your site looks great, any tips you can give to someone new to wordpress?

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm

      Thanks! Yes, I made the banner using Indesign and Photoshop and just sized it to the specifications of my WordPress theme. The themes are super customizable if you’re willing to tinker around a bit. Good luck!

  23. gooddeedaday says

    August 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    My husband’s a lemon junkie… def. making these, thanks!

  24. thevikingmikeblog says

    August 19, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I love lemon goodies..

  25. Jen says

    August 19, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    I found you through Freshly Pressed, and also pinned this. the photography is beautiful, by the way.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm

      Thanks so much!

  26. photographybycalliec says

    August 19, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    I will definitely give these lemon yums a go, look divine, thanks for sharing.
    Cheers Callie

  27. Sarah says

    August 19, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Mmmm! I love lemon cookies – well lemon anything to be exact. 😀 These look fabulous!

  28. simple sustenance says

    August 19, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Lemons make summer brighter! Love the pictures.

  29. kelsey towicz says

    August 19, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    looks nice ! kelsey towicz

  30. someforall says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Reblogged this on Some For All and commented:
    Yummy in my tummy

  31. polkadots1085 says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Looks sooo yummy! 🙂

  32. missmeliaa says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    I’ve found another fellow baker! Those cookies look delicious, I’m definitely giving them a try!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:03 pm

      Woo hoo! Bakers unite!

  33. kitchen organizers says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    I used to make cocktails from lemons but haven’t thought of baking from it. Thanks for sharing this new recipe i’ll sure to bookmark it.

  34. theyellowranger says

    August 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    YUM! I try to stick to cold recipes if I can help it, but I too will brave baking in a heat wave if I think it will be worth it. Those lemon treats look worth it to me. I have a great recipe for a fruit salad/dessert that my Grandmother gave to me and I’ve used it time and time again for barbecues and such when it is really hot out. Congrats on being freshly pressed.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:05 pm

      Yum! Fruit salad is great when it’s hot out. When it’s any weather out really. I think I could eat fruit until I popped. 🙂

  35. allyoudoiseat says

    August 19, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Wow they look incredible! I love shortbread, I’ll have to give them a try!

  36. Rakhi Kankane says

    August 19, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    Interesting!

  37. Jeremiah Diehl says

    August 20, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Thank you for making me ridiculously hungry. Also, your writing style is witty – and I love it 🙂

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:05 pm

      Thank you!

  38. Niki, unifiedspace says

    August 20, 2012 at 5:23 am

    Your shortbread looks utterly heavenly. We all love shortbread in our family but Im going to deviate from my normal in order to make your as it looks perfect!

  39. mariposatree says

    August 20, 2012 at 5:32 am

    Oh lemon shortbread, you sound delicious. I will not be able to even attempt your recipe for quite some time. I live in Thailand and though they have amazing food here, alas I do not have an oven. I should be heading home for vacation in December, so then I will bake…and bake. Thanks for the post.

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:06 pm

      Thailand? How exciting! Yes, do bake and bake when you get back home! And bake some more!

  40. sarahjoshua says

    August 21, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I love the taste of lemon – in cakes, in tarts, in any form actually 🙂 I’ve never made shortbread ever and your recipe makes me want to go and try it immediately – though I have to wait till I go home from work first 🙂 Thank you for sharing it!! The pictures make my mouth water!!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks for reading! Let me know if you give them a try. 🙂

  41. celastrina says

    August 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    Reblogged this on Musical Butterfly and commented:
    I’ve been a fan of shortbread since the days of visiting my great-aunty – it was her go-to snack. Mixed with my favourite flavour, I can’t wait to try out this recipe!

    • Katrina Tauchen says

      September 3, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      Hope you like it as much as we do! Happy baking!

  42. Jasmine T. Cruz says

    August 23, 2012 at 6:43 am

    Looks delicious!

  43. theinfinitejourneyblog says

    August 23, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    Def doing this recipe

  44. RoseSpectacles says

    August 25, 2012 at 5:52 am

    ooooh they look yummy. going to give em a try soon 🙂

  45. sveltehealthy says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Lemon is such a wonderful fruit. It can be made savory or sweet and always taste fresh!

Trackbacks

  1. Memories of baking « After the kids leave says:
    August 24, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    […] week I was looking at WordPress’s Freshly Pressed articles and came upon this one over on Splash of Something, which caught my interest instantly.  To others, perhaps it was a beautiful post about a delicious […]

  2. Lemon, for you, I’ll bake (receipe) « My Favorite Spaces says:
    August 24, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    […] Splash of Something >> Share this:FacebookTwitterMoreEmailPrintStumbleUponTumblrRedditPinterestDiggLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. […]

  3. Lemon, for you, I’ll bake (recipe) « My Favorite Spaces says:
    August 24, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    […] Splash of Something >> -6.211544 106.845172 Share this:FacebookTwitterMoreEmailPrintStumbleUponTumblrRedditPinterestDiggLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. […]

  4. Memories of baking | After the Kids Leave says:
    May 18, 2014 at 9:25 am

    […] week I was looking at WordPress’s Freshly Pressed articles and came upon this one over on Splash of Something, which caught my interest instantly.  To others, perhaps it was a beautiful post about a delicious […]

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