Lemon Lavender Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Lemon Lavender Cookie Bars are a delightful blend of bright citrus and subtle floral notes, perfect for any occasion. These bars combine a tender, buttery base with a zesty lemon glaze infused with lavender for a unique twist. Easy to make and irresistibly fragrant, they’re sure to become a favorite treat.

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• Zest of 1 lemon (roughly 2 tablespoons)
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil (any neutral flavored oil will work)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon lavender extract (measure this carefully!)
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Zest of ½ a lemon (roughly 1 tablespoon)
• Juice of 1 lemon (roughly 2 tablespoons)
• ⅛ teaspoon lavender extract (measure this carefully!)
• Dried culinary lavender flowers, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment and pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl (or a regular bowl if mixing by hand), combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub the zest into the sugar with your hands until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the softened butter and beat until the mixture is fluffy and creamy, about 30 seconds.
4. Step 4: Beat in the egg, oil, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lavender extract until fully combined.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, mixing well after each addition. When adding the last batch, beat just until combined to avoid overmixing.
7. Step 7: Press the sticky dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. To help with pressing, spray your hand or a spatula with nonstick spray and smooth the surface.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
9. Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before applying the glaze.
10. Step 10: For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and lavender extract until smooth and pourable. Adjust with extra sugar or lemon juice if needed.
11. Step 11: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled bars and sprinkle with dried lavender flowers if using. Let the glaze set completely; refrigerate for about 15 minutes to speed this up if desired.
12. Step 12: Slice into bars and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For a more subtle lavender flavor, add just a few drops of lavender extract instead of the full amount.
• If you can’t find culinary lavender flowers for garnish, try a light sprinkle of finely chopped lemon zest for color and aroma.
• Use a neutral oil like grapeseed or canola to keep the flavor bright and clean.
• Press the dough firmly and evenly into the pan to ensure uniform baking and texture.

Storage

Store the Lemon Lavender Cookie Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days, but refrigeration helps maintain their texture and freshness. Reheat slightly at room temperature before serving or enjoy chilled straight from the fridge.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute dried lavender instead of lavender extract?

While dried lavender can be used in a crust or sprinkled on top, the extract is best for infusing the batter and glaze with a consistent floral flavor. If using dried lavender in the dough, grind it finely and use sparingly to avoid bitterness.

What can I do if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can substitute cornstarch with an equal amount of all-purpose flour. Cornstarch helps lighten the texture, but flour will still produce a delicious bar with a slightly different crumb.

Lemon Lavender Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 142 reviews

Delightfully fragrant and zesty, these Lemon Lavender Cookie Bars combine the bright flavors of fresh lemon with the subtle floral notes of lavender. Featuring a soft, buttery base with a smooth lemon-lavender glaze, these bars are perfect as a refreshing treat for afternoon tea or a light dessert. Easy to make and ideal for sharing, they bring elegance and a touch of spring to any occasion.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (2-inch squares) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Bars:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• Zest of 1 lemon (roughly 2 tablespoons)
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil (neutral flavored oil)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon lavender extract (measure carefully!)
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt

For the Lemon Lavender Glaze:

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Zest of ½ a lemon (roughly 1 tablespoon)
• Juice of 1 lemon (roughly 2 tablespoons)
• ⅛ teaspoon lavender extract (measure carefully!)
• Dried culinary lavender flowers, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray the surface with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Sugar and Lemon Zest: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub the zest into the sugar with your hands until fragrant to infuse the sugar with bright lemon flavor.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar Mixture: Add the softened butter to the sugar mixture, beating on medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and creamy, approximately 30 seconds.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, neutral oil, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lavender extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Beat until fully combined and smooth.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and fine salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
6. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture in batches, mixing well after each addition. For the last addition, beat just until combined to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender texture.
7. Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the sticky dough into the prepared pan. To smooth it out evenly, spray your hand or a spatula with nonstick cooking spray and gently press the dough flat, covering the base uniformly.
8. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the center sets firmly.
9. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool fully in the pan. This step is crucial before adding the glaze to prevent melting.
10. Prepare Lemon Lavender Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and lavender extract. Adjust the consistency by adding a little more lemon juice or powdered sugar until it is smooth and easily pourable.
11. Glaze the Bars: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled bars. If desired, sprinkle dried culinary lavender flowers on top for a decorative and aromatic touch.
12. Set the Glaze: Allow the glaze to set completely. For quicker setting, refrigerate the pan for about 15 minutes.
13. Serve and Store: Slice the bars once the glaze is firm. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store the bars refrigerated for up to one week or at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Notes

• Measure lavender extract carefully as it is potent; too much can result in a bitter flavor.
• Use neutral oils like canola or grapeseed to avoid overpowering the delicate lemon and lavender flavors.
• Press the dough evenly using a nonstick sprayed spatula or hand to ensure uniform baking.
• For a firmer glaze, refrigerate the bars before slicing.
• These bars keep well refrigerated and can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.

Keywords: lemon lavender cookie bars, lemon bars, floral dessert, lemon glaze, easy baked treats, spring dessert, cookie bars with glaze