lemon cornmeal shortbread cookies

I know, I know…another cookie recipe. Really, if that’s the worst thing in the world then I’m happy I’m living in a cookie-filled world. However, this cookie is a bit different from most cookies that I make. For one, it’s got cornmeal in it which gives it an amazing sandy grit. I’m saying sandy grit and you might be thinking, uh oh, kinda weird. But it’s good. Trust me. The sandy grit in your teeth is so much better than the sandy grit in your bathing suit after a day at the beach.

The second thing I love about these, it’s that they are shortbread cookies. Not too sweet, slightly crumbly and I could satisfy my late night cookie craving even though I was all out of brown sugar. Oh, and they are also lemony which is always a good thing. And like all late-night cookies, they are really simple to prepare. So head on over to Poppytalk and bake up a batch.

25 comments to “lemon cornmeal shortbread cookies”

  1. 1
    Katerina   November 11, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Cornmeal is so interesting in sweets, I have had a cornmeal cake before that was delicious.

  2. 2
    PonderandStitch   November 11, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    I think the cornmeal part sounds good!! I'm going to try these. 🙂

  3. 3
    hannah | honey & jam   November 11, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    i love cornmeal and shortbread, these sound terrific.

  4. 4
    kickpleat   November 11, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    Katerina, I really like it. It's unexpected and that can be a very good thing!

    Thanks Ponder, they are very good.

    Well then Amanda, this is your dream cookie!

    Thanks Hannah, they are pretty fantastic.

    Helene, cookie posts are my favorite too. They are the ones I bookmark the most.

  5. 5
    Amanda Nicole   November 11, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    Cornmeal and lemon are two of my favourite things!

  6. 6
    Helene   November 11, 2009 at 11:06 pm

    I like anything with cornmeal. They look delicious and I love any post with cookies 🙂

  7. 7
    Patricia Scarpin   November 12, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Cookies – one just can't have too many of them! 😀

  8. 8
    Daily Spud   November 12, 2009 at 9:28 am

    I need no persuading when it comes to putting cornmeal in desserts and sweets. Having some in a shortbread cookie sounds just about perfect.

  9. 9
    lyndsay   November 12, 2009 at 11:13 am

    love love lemon… sounds perfectly delightful jeannette!!

    i went to two of your portland food recommendation spots! thanks again for the tips! pine street biscuits, OH MY! 🙂

  10. 10
    Natty   November 12, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    These are seductive.

  11. 11
    tara   November 13, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Okay, I've been all emotional about the Sesame Street 40th anniversary this week, and the "C" in your cornmeal got me immediately singing Cookie Monster's song.

    But, I digress. I love the texture cornmeal gives baked goods. Your cookies sound brilliant.

  12. 12
    lisaiscooking   November 13, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    This could be the cookie I've been looking for! I've never found quite the right cornmeal cookie, but this looks perfect. And, I love lemon.

  13. 13
    Cakespy   November 13, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    "another cookie recipe"…as if there could be too many! Keep 'em coming, especially when they're this delicious sounding and looking. I love cornmeal in cookies–have never considered a lemon angle though, so consider me intrigued by these ones!

  14. 14
    bellcurves   November 13, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    wow, these look pretty amazing, and cornmeal in cookies is definitely a new concept for me. i'd like to try them. yum. they sound great–i love lemon. i mean, i LOVE lemon.

  15. 15
    Bijoux   November 13, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Nothing wrong with being on a cookie kick…You won't hear me saying.."what? another cookie recipe?" nope…I'm the opposite…Me: Yeah! another cookie recipe! I know the grit texture of this cornmeal cookie since there is a similar type of Greek cookie that I do enjoy specifically for this crumbly, gritty cornmeal texture…I also love that you added lemon to this!

  16. 16
    MB   November 14, 2009 at 5:40 am

    2 of my favourite yellow things in one cookie, lemon and shortbread. ok butter too, make that 3. could be a nive change from all the canada cornstarch box shortbread cookies one sees all thru the season.

  17. 17
    kickpleat   November 14, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    I agree, Patricia!

    Thanks for the boost of cornmeal confidence, Daily Spud!

    Lyndsay, so glad you loved portland breakfasts!!! Yum, now I want to go again soon.

    Thanks Natty.

    Tara, I was singing C is for Cookie when I did that! It just seemed perfectly natural.

    Lisa, I sure hope it is! Let me know how you like it.

    Thanks Cakespy, these are good ones and the lemon works nicely here.

    Bellcurves, me too! Lemon LOVE here, for serious.

    Thanks Bijoux!

    MB definitely! I swear that is the most popular cookie recipe

  18. 18
    Ashley Schott   November 15, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    These look sooo amazing! I'm totally going to make some to take to my in-law's for Thanksgiving!

  19. 19
    kickpleat   November 18, 2009 at 10:33 am

    Thanks Ashley, they're a perfect quick to make holiday cookie!

  20. 20
    Jen   November 18, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    I made these last night! It took almost no time and they are GOOOOOOOOOOD!

    Thanks! Batch two: coming right up tonight!

  21. 21
    kickpleat   November 18, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Yay, glad you loved them, Jen. They are super delish!

  22. 22
    kickpleat   December 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    Hi Gavin, not sure what went wrong with your batch, but if the butter was too soft that would likely be the cause of the problem.

  23. 23
    Gavin   December 17, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    help! mine spread out immediately in the oven and didn't even cook hard! they just crumbled off the cookie sheet in a goopy mess… what happened?? the only thing i could think of was that the butter i used was practically melted… but i put it in the freezer to harden up a little

  24. 24
    Gavin   December 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    so, i made another batch with cold butter, let the dough sit in the fridge for an hour, and then formed the cookies, put them on the cookie sheet and stuck them back in the fridge for 10 more minutes… i popped them in the oven and watched them the whole time… after 2 minutes they started melting again! i pulled them out, scooped up the dough and put it back in a bowl, and added about twice as much flour. now the dough is more sturdy. it's back in the fridge and i hope to bake these quickly in the morning (for a party friday night)… hope it works out this time!

  25. 25
    melanie   December 18, 2009 at 6:32 am

    (from gavin) so, the batch at least held together in the oven this morning! though they break apart REALLY easily… oh well! they taste great! (even my first attempt – crumbly gook – tastes great! i put it in the fridge and it hardened) 🙂

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