Lemon Basil Butter Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• Process basil and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor until blended.
• Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar, beating well.
• Add lemon juice and egg, beating until blended.
• Gradually add flour and basil mixture, beating until blended.
• Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
• Flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool on wire racks; garnish if desired.

Steps:

• To make the curd, place the granulated sugar and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade and pulse several times to combine. Add in the powdered sugar, eggs, egg yolk and lemon juice and run the machine for 30 to 60 seconds or until combined. Add in the flour and run the machine for 30 seconds more.
• Strain the mixture into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the basil and butter and stir constantly for 6 to 8 minutes or until thickened. Strain once again if the mixture developed any lumps and immediately place in a small, heat-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap, directly on the surface of the curd. Place in the fridge to chill completely.
• To make the cookies, if your butter isn't super soft, heat it in the microwave on high for 5 to 10 seconds. In an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle, add the butter, powdered sugar and lemon zest and run the machine on medium for 4 minutes or until smooth. With the machine on low, add in the egg, egg yolk, milk, vanilla and salt and run the machine on low for several minutes more. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl so that everything is incorporated. The mixture may look curdled. Dump in the flour and run the machine on the lowest setting until the dough comes together.
• Place a silicone baking mat on the counter and then place a piece of parchment paper on top, lightly flouring it. Set the dough on top and sprinkle with a bit more flour. Rub some flour over your rolling pin and roll the dough to 1/4-inch (0.7-cm) thickness. Use the parchment paper to transfer it onto a baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes or in the refrigerator for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Grab a 1 3/4-inch (4.5-cm) round cookie cutter and a 1 1/4-inch (3.3-cm) round cookie cutter. Cut as many 1 3/4-inch (4.5-cm) circles out of the dough as you can. Re-roll the scraps and cut as many from that dough. Use the 1 1/4-inch (3.3-cm) cutter to cut smaller circles out of half of the 1 3/4-inch (4.5-cm) circles. Place all of the cookies, including the small circles from the cut-out cookies, on the prepared baking sheets with 1 1/2 inches (3.7 cm) between each cookie, and freeze for 10 minutes or refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 8 to 9 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet. To assemble, for the larger cookies, smear some curd on the solid circle and top with an 'O' shaped cookie. For the smaller cookies, smear some curd on one cookie and top with a same-sized cookie.
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Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Cookies:.
• In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Combine sugar and roughly minced basil in food processor. Process/pulse until basil is thoroughly incorporated with sugar.
• Using an electric mixer beat the butter with the basil sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients. Chill dough for 1 hour.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop cold dough (about 2 tablespoons, more or less) and roll into ball and flatten lightly with bottom of a glass. If sticking occurs, dip bottom of glass in water then granulated sugar then proceed.
• IF USING HAZELNUT SUGAR/LEMON TOPPING: Make as described below, then continue to bake for 12-15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes. Using optional topping, you will omit the glaze.
• GLAZE:.
• Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.
• HAZELNUT SUGAR/LEMON TOPPING:.
• Take hazelnut, sugar and lemon zest OR lemon oil and process in food processor to a fine powder. Take dough, form into balls and roll in mixture and flatten with the bottom of a glass. Proceed to baking instructions.