Nigella Lemon Shortbread

Nigella’s Lemon Shortbread is a delicious treat that is made with warmed butter, caster sugar, finely grated lemon rind, and plain flour. It takes 45 minutes to make and makes 12 servings, so it’s a quick and easy dessert to enjoy.

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💗 The Appeal Of This Delicious Recipe

Burst Of Citrus Flavor. The freshly grated lemon zest gives the shortbread a pleasant, tart flavor.
Buttery And Melt-In-Your-Mouth texture. This recipe makes a delicious, buttery shortbread that melts in your mouth using 250g of softened butter.
Easy To Make. With easy ingredients and directions, this recipe is excellent for expert bakers and beginners wishing to amaze with little effort.
Versatile And Customizable. Nigella Lemon Shortbread can be eaten alone or with toppings like icing sugar or lemon glaze to suit your taste.

❓ What Is Nigella’s Lemon Shortbread Recipe?

Nigella Lemon Shortbread is made with warmed butter, caster sugar, grated lemon peel, and plain flour. It’s named after the famous cook Nigella Lawson, who made this delicious twist on traditional shortbread popular. Enjoy the tangy pleasure!

📜 Nigella’s Lemon Shortbread Ingredients

250g butter, softened
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind
2 1/4 cups (335g) plain flour
Icing: 1 cup (160g) icing sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon milk or water

🍪 Instructions For Nigella’s Lemon Shortbread

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius with a fan. Two pastry sheets are lined with baking paper.
Using the scraper, reassemble the mixer. In a mixer basin, add butter, caster sugar, and lemon zest. Turn the mixer slowly to the LIGHT MIXING setting and beat until the butter, sugar, and zest begin to combine. Increase gradually to the CREAM/BEAT setting. Beat the mixture for approximately 5 minutes, or until the butter has a very translucent hue.
Reduce speed to light MIXING and add flour progressively. Once all of the flour is added, slightly increase the mixing speed for 30 seconds.
On a flat surface, knead the dough gently.
With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the mixture to a thickness of 1 cm. Cut rounds of shortbread using a 5-cm round pastry cutter and position them on the prepared trays. Reform the shortbread dough into as many rounds as feasible.
Refrigerate rounds of shortbread for 15 minutes.
Bake the rounds for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are firm. Cool for 5 minutes on the platters before transferring to a wire rack. When cold, drizzle with frosting.
In a small basin, combine confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and milk or water. If the mixture remains viscous, add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water.
Mix thoroughly to incorporate. Spoon the mixture into a sealable plastic bag.
Cut one corner of the bag to create a small opening, then squeeze the icing delicately and drizzle it over the shortbread.
Set aside the shortbread until the icing has hardened.

💭 Recipe Tips

Use Softened Butter. Make sure the butter is soft enough so that your Nigella Lemon Shortbread has the right thickness and consistency.
Don’t Overmix The Dough. Mix the items just until they come together. If you mix too much, it can get harder.
Grate The Lemon rinse Finely. The lemon rind that has been finely grated gives the shortbread a more even citrus taste.
Adjust The Thickness. Roll the dough out to the same thickness to make sure that it bakes evenly. If it’s too thin, it might get hard, and if it’s too thick, it might not bake properly.
Be Mindful Of Icing Consistency. When making the icing, you can change the amount of lemon juice, milk, or water to get the right consistency. Add slowly so it doesn’t get too thin or too thick.

☕ What To Serve With Lemon Shortbread?

Nigella’s Lemon Shortbread goes well with many different things as a treat, you could serve it with a hot cup of tea or coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream.

🎚 How To Store Lemon Shortbread?

In The Fridge. Traditional Nigella Lemon Shortbread should be cooled thoroughly before storing in an airtight jar at room temperature it last for up 6 days. It will stay fresh and avoid staleness.
In The Freezer. Make sure the traditional Nigella Lemon Shortbread is absolutely cool before freezing. Then, securely wrap each piece in plastic wrap or a freezer-safe container. Put the container in the freezer for three months with the date on it.

🥵 How To Reheat Lemon Shortbread?

In The Oven. Low-preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) bake the shortbread on a baking sheet for 5–10 minutes, or until preferred overheating can dry out shortbread.
In The Microwave. Heat one slice of shortbread on a microwave-safe dish for 10–15 seconds at a time on low power check the shortbread at each interval to avoid overheating. Shortbread softens when microwaved, so eat it right away.
Room Temperature. To eat shortbread at room temperature, leave it out for a brief time until it warms up. This method is best for texture and flavor preservation.

FAQs

What Is The Difference Between Shortbread And Cookies?

The main difference between shortbread and cookies is the ratio of ingredients. Shortbread has a higher proportion of butter, resulting in a crumbly texture, while cookies have a higher ratio of sugar and flour, resulting in a softer texture.

How Do I Know When The Lemon Shortbread Is Fully Baked?

To know when Lemon Shortbread is fully baked, look for a light golden color around the edges. The shortbread should be firm to the touch and slightly crisp.

Can I Add Chopped Nuts Or Dried Fruits To The Lemon Shortbread Dough?

Yes, you can add chopped nuts or dried fruits to the Lemon Shortbread dough for added texture and flavor. Mix them in gently to ensure even distribution.

How Do I Prevent My Shortbread From Becoming Too Crumbly?

To prevent shortbread from becoming too crumbly, avoid overmixing the dough and ensure the butter is properly softened. Also, chilling the dough before baking can help maintain its structure.

How Thick Should I Roll Out The Shortbread Dough?

Roll out the shortbread dough to a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) for a traditional shortbread texture. Adjust the thickness based on personal preference and desired texture.

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