Introduction

These Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies combine bright citrus notes with the floral aroma of lavender in a delicate, buttery cookie. Perfect for afternoon tea or a special treat, they are as charming as they are delicious.

Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for cookies)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon culinary lavender, finely ground
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for buttercream)
A few drops of purple food coloring (optional)
Thin lemon slices (for garnish)
Fresh lavender sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mixing until fully combined.
Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Step 4: Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the baking sheets.
Step 5: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: For the lavender buttercream, beat the softened butter until creamy in a large bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
Step 7: Stir in the ground culinary lavender, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Add purple food coloring if desired for a pretty hue. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 8: Once cookies have cooled, spread or pipe a generous amount of lavender buttercream onto the flat side of half the cookies.
Step 9: Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwiches, gently pressing them together.
Step 10: Pipe a small swirl of buttercream on top of each sandwich cookie. Garnish with a thin lemon slice and a fresh lavender sprig for a beautiful finishing touch.

Tips & Variations

For a milder lavender flavor, use 1/2 tablespoon of culinary lavender. Always use culinary grade lavender to avoid bitterness.
Substitute lemon zest with orange zest for a slightly different citrus note.
If you don’t have purple food coloring, the buttercream is delicious without it and still looks lovely with the natural lavender pieces.
Make sure cookies are completely cool before applying buttercream to prevent melting.

Storage

Store assembled sandwich cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Unassembled cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried lavender for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to use culinary-grade dried lavender and grind it finely to avoid a harsh, soapy taste. Regular dried lavender from craft stores may not be suitable for eating.

Can I make the cookies or buttercream ahead of time?

You can bake the cookies up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. The buttercream can also be made ahead and refrigerated; bring it to room temperature and re-whip before assembling the cookies.

Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 141 reviews

These Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies combine delicate citrus zest with fragrant culinary lavender in a tender cookie, sandwiched together with a creamy, lightly floral lavender buttercream. Perfect for spring tea parties or elegant gatherings, these cookies offer a delightful balance of bright lemon and soothing lavender flavors with a beautifully decorated finish.

Author: Zane
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 sandwich cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon

For the Lavender Buttercream

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon culinary lavender, finely ground
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A few drops of purple food coloring (optional)

For Garnish

Thin lemon slices
Fresh lavender sprigs

Instructions

Making the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mixing thoroughly. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined, careful not to overmix. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges just start turning golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
Preparing the Lavender Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the finely ground culinary lavender, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. If desired, add a few drops of purple food coloring for color. Beat the mixture until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Assembling the Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous layer of lavender buttercream onto the flat side of half the cookies. Gently press another cookie on top to create sandwich cookies. Pipe a small swirl of lavender buttercream on top of each sandwich. Garnish each cookie with a thin lemon slice and a fresh lavender sprig for elegance.

Notes

Ensure the cookies are completely cool before assembling to prevent the buttercream from melting.
Use culinary-grade lavender for best flavor and safety.
Adjust the amount of lavender in the buttercream according to your taste preference.
Optional purple food coloring adds a pretty visual touch but can be omitted.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: lemon lavender cookies, sandwich cookies, floral cookies, lemon zest cookies, buttercream sandwich, spring cookies, tea party cookies