Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

Posted: January 29, 2026
Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

If there ever was a delicious combination in terms of flavor, it has got to be lemon and poppyseed. These lemon poppy seed shortbread cookies are my latest obsession as they are so good! Easy to make too!

Why I Love This Recipe

These delicious lemon shortbread cookies have added crunch (and flavor!) due to the poppyseeds and are very easy to make.

They’re delicious served over coffee or a cup of tea and also make a lovely gift for a friend! And the combination of lemon and poppy seed is just one of my favorite flavor combinations!

Recipe Ingredients

Apart from the regular cookie ingredients you will find in the recipe card below, you will need the following too:

  • lemon zest – you can opt to use either lemon zest or lemon extract. Both will work, although the flavor will be subtly different. If you’re using lemon zest let the dough rest just a bit longer so the flavors can develop. Don’t use lemon juice as that will change the texture of the dough. I prefer lemon zest myself.
  • poppy seeds – I used about 20 grams/0.7 oz of poppyseed
lemon poppyseed shortbread cookies-2

How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

Making these delicious lemon poppy seed cookies is super easy to do. They’re nice and crumbly. Just the way I like my cookies!

You start by mixing the butter and the icing sugar until it has a creamy consistency. I used a large mixing bowl and a paddle attachment. Add the lemon and mix briefly. The last step is to add the all-purpose flour and the poppy seeds.

Shape the dough into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap. How wide you make the log will also determine the size of your cookies. Mine was around 6 centimer/2.3 inches in diameter. No need to measure exactly but keep in mind that the wider the log, the bigger the cookies get and you will have less cookies.

Let the dough rest for about an hour. Now using a sharp knife slice the log into rounds and place those rounds on a baking sheet lined with a sheet of parchment paper.

Bake this shortbread recipe for about 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown. They do not have to be brown overall. These cookies are relatively light for the best texture. Let them cool on a cooling rack or wire rack so they can firm up.

Storing Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread  Cookies

You can store these cookies in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. A cookie tin can be used as well.

Can I freeze lemon poppy shortbread cookies?

Yes you can freeze the cookies for up to three months. You can also freeze the dough unbaked and bake them from the oven. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.

More lemon poppy seed recipes

If you love the combination of lemon and poppy seed make sure to check out these recipes as well:

lemon poppyseed shortbread cookies-3

FAQ Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

Can I use lemon zest instead of lemon extract?

Yes! You can replace the extract with 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Just keep in mind that lemon extract gives a more concentrated flavor, while zest gives a more natural, aromatic lemon taste. If using zest, let the dough rest longer so the flavor can infuse.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely. The dough can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months, just thaw slightly before slicing. Or even better: slice before freezing.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading?

Shortbread spreads very little, but to be safe:

  • Use cold dough
  • Don’t over-cream the butter and sugar
  • Slice evenly for consistent baking

Do I need to chill the dough?

Yes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and improves texture. An hour is enough, but longer is fine too. Read this article on why you should always chill your dough.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can. If you do, omit the pinch of salt many bakers normally add to shortbread (or don’t add any extra salt at all). The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Why are my cookies crumbly?

Shortbread is meant to be slightly crumbly, but if they’re falling apart:

  • The dough may have been too dry (mix just until it comes together)
  • They might have been sliced too thin
  • They may have been overbaked, check your oven temperature with an external thermometer.

 

lemon poppy seed shortbread cookies

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Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

These crumbly cookies with lemon and poppy seeds are wonderfully fresh and surprisingly delicious thanks to the poppy seeds.
Preparation10 minutes
Cooking20 minutes
Chilling1 hour
Total1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 20 cookies

Ingredients 

  • 250 grams unsalted butter
  • 100 grams powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp lemon extract or 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 300 grams all-purpose flour
  • 20 grams poppy seeds

Instructions

  • Beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add the lemon extract and mix briefly. Finally, add the flour and poppy seeds and mix until a firm cookie dough forms.
  • Shape the dough into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough log in the fridge for at least one hour so it can rest. Mine was about 6 cm (about 2.3 inches) in diameter.
  • Slice the dough log into rounds and place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake the cookies at 175°C/350°F for about 14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Tips

If using lemon zest, let the dough rest a bit longer so the lemon flavor can infuse more thoroughly. Lemon extract ultimately gives a stronger flavor in the cookies.
How to store

Stored in an airtight container, the cookies will keep for 2-3 weeks. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

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