Lemon Shortbread Cookies

My newest creation! I made this last night at my family's house and it was a big hit. A little sweet, a little lemony, and absolutely delicious. I love citrus, it adds unmatched freshness and aroma. This recipe is a great way to lighten up this really decadent cookie. The ingredients are simple. The method is simple.
 

Cookie:

3/4 pound butter (yikes, it's a lot! Three sticks...what can I say? It's shortbread.)

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Zest and juice of one medium lemon

3 1/2 cups flour

Glaze:

Juice and zest of one lemon

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

2 T milk

Preheat the oven to 350. Cream the butter and the sugar together in a mixer with the paddle attachment. Give it plenty of time to fluff and combine. If your butter's frozen or refrigerated pop it into the microwave to soften but be careful not to melt it.

Add the salt, zest and lemon juice (it should be about 1-2 tablespoons of juice) and mix till well combined. Add the flour slowly with the mixer running. By now you should have a dough that creates a ball around the paddle, but it is still a little dry. 

Dump the dough out onto a floured surface, pull it into a ball and roll it out to desired thickness-I usually do just over a 1/4 inch thick. Cut to desired shape, I do a simple two inch circle using a cup. Handle/roll the dough as little as possible. Remember whatever thickness you choose, it will spread a little thinner as it cooks. Cook 15-20 minutes until the edges just start to turn color. Depending on the thickness/size of the cookie it may be longer or shorter, so keep an eye on them.

Whisk together the ingredients in the glaze until the sugar dissolves. This glaze is very thin, and basically soaks into the warm cookie, so don't be alarmed if it seems thin. When the cookies are done, removed them from the pan to a cooling rack. Once they're cool enough to handle without crumbling apart, but still warm, you're going to glaze them. You have two options. If you want them lightly glazed simply dip them into the glaze. If you want them extra lemony (like me) pour the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze time to soak into the shortbread.

Smell them! It's amazing! Enjoy warm or cooled.