Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies Recipe
These Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies are a dream come true for anyone who loves delicate floral notes paired with zesty citrus. Each bite brings you the gentle aroma of lavender, the brightness of lemon, and the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture, all wrapped in an elegant sandwich cookie. Whether you’re serving them for afternoon tea, a spring brunch, or just because you adore a little sunshine in your dessert, these cookies promise to make every occasion feel truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Despite their elegant flavor, Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies come together with a handful of kitchen staples and a few fragrant extras. Each ingredient brings something unique to the table, creating the perfect marriage of tang, sweetness, and aroma in every bite.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates a rich, tender cookie and a smooth, creamy filling; use high-quality butter for flavor magic.
- Granulated sugar: Brings balanced sweetness, and you can infuse it with lavender overnight for an extra floral punch.
- Large egg: The egg binds your dough and adds a subtle richness that helps the cookies hold together beautifully.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the lavender and lemon notes for a bakery-worthy aroma.
- Lemon zest: Fresh lemon zest brightens both the cookies and filling, lending that irresistible sunny zing.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to your cookies without making them dense—essential for the delicate sandwich.
- Cornstarch: Keeps these cookies melt-in-your-mouth tender; don’t skip it!
- Baking powder: Ensures a light, slightly puffy texture for the perfect bite.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and makes the flavors pop.
- Dried culinary lavender, finely crushed: This is what sets these cookies apart—make sure you use lavender labeled for culinary use so the flavor is gentle and fragrant.
- Powdered sugar: The secret to a smooth, pillowy lemon cream filling; sift for ultra-smoothness.
- Lemon juice: Fresh-squeezed if possible, for that tart burst that makes the filling truly special.
- Lemon zest or purple food coloring (optional): Brings brightness or a hint of romantic color to your filling—totally optional, but delightful.
How to Make Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—give it a few minutes, because this step is key to light cookies. Next, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until everything’s beautifully combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and the finely crushed culinary lavender. Gently add the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, and stir just until combined. The dough should smell absolutely dreamy right about now!
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, placing them on your prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingers—this helps create the perfect sandwich shape. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just lightly golden. Let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 4: Make the Zesty Lemon Lavender Filling
While your cookies are cooling, beat the softened butter for the filling until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and—if you like—a touch of lemon zest or a drop of purple food coloring. Beat until the filling is fluffy and light, almost like a lemony cloud.
Step 5: Assemble the Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies
Once your cookies have cooled, it’s time to assemble! Spread or pipe a generous spoonful of the lemon lavender filling onto the bottom of one cookie, then top it with a second cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies, and voila—your beautiful Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies are ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra sprinkles of crushed dried lavender. For a more whimsical touch, you can drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate over the tops or press a petite fresh flower (like an edible viola) into the filling’s edge for a playful, garden-inspired look.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a cup of Earl Grey tea, lavender lemonade, or even a glass of cold milk. If serving for brunch or an afternoon soiree, pair them with a platter of fresh berries, a fruity salad, or lightly sweetened whipped cream for a beautifully balanced dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, arrange your Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies in a decorative box lined with parchment and tie it up with ribbon. Stack them on a tiered stand for high tea, or plate them with lemon wedges and sprigs of fresh lavender. They also look stunning arranged in a circle atop a cake stand, like the centerpiece of your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously fresh for up to 4 days, but with flavors this lovely, they rarely last that long!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these beauties. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Enjoy within one month for best flavor and texture—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to soften the filling just a bit or refresh the cookies, let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. There’s no need to reheat in an oven, as these are meant to be enjoyed tender and cool, with their bright lemon and floral notes front and center.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?
Stick with dried culinary lavender for the best and gentlest flavor. Fresh lavender can be too overpowering and sometimes tastes soapy; dried, food-safe buds are specially selected for recipes like these.
What’s the best way to crush dried lavender?
You can use a mortar and pestle or even the back of a spoon to finely crush your dried lavender. The smaller the pieces, the more evenly the floral flavor will infuse your Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies.
Can I make the dough or filling in advance?
Absolutely! The cookie dough can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to a month. The filling can also be made a day ahead; just let it come to room temperature and give it a good stir before assembling your cookies.
How do I ensure the cookies don’t spread too much?
Chilling the dough for 15–30 minutes before baking can help the cookies keep their shape, especially on hotter days. Also, flattening only slightly with your glass ensures a thick, sandwich-ready cookie.
Can I make these Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in a one-to-one ratio. Be sure to check that your blend contains xanthan gum or add it if needed for a tender, chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a cookie that delivers both elegance and unforgettable flavor, Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies are your new go-to recipe. They’re as lovely to look at as they are to eat—share them, gift them, or savor them with your favorite cup of tea. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with every floral, citrusy bite!
Print
Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 18 sandwich cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate and fragrant, these Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. The combination of zesty lemon and floral lavender in a buttery cookie with a creamy filling makes for a truly elegant dessert.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender, finely crushed
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest or a drop of purple food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla, and lemon zest. In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and lavender. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Bake the cookies: Roll dough into balls, flatten, and bake for 10–12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the filling: Beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and zest/coloring. Beat until fluffy.
- Assemble the cookies: Spread or pipe filling on one cookie and top with another to make a sandwich. Repeat.
Notes
- For a stronger lavender flavor, infuse the sugar with lavender a day ahead.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
