It was always a love or hate relationship with those Zeera (Cumin) biscuits that we used to get back home , for me. For those of you who live in Pakistan or grew up there know which biscuits I’m talking about. They are a teatime favorite in most houses, don’t know if they still produce them (someone tell me in comments). Any way I decided to amp up the cookies and add lemon zest to it. I also turned it into a shortbread which is a completely different texture. Now I understand , not everyone likes lemon-y flavor (my husband thought they are strange tasting , guess what that means!) . I am a fan of all things lemon and I wanted to add another flavor that will compliment the flavor of cumin (warm , earthy flavor) but not detract from it. You really don’t have to add the zest to it or the lemon glaze that I have topped these with. It’s a mild teatime cookie that I think everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup butter (at room temperature, I prefer salted butter)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar (you may use regular 3/4 cup powdered/icing sugar)
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
Zest of 1 lemon
Directions:
In a mixer beat butter till it’s fluffy and white . At this point add the sugar and beat for a few minutes until nicely combined.
Now slowly add the flour, zest of the lemon and cumin, the mixture will come together in a ball gradually. Cover the mixture in cling wrap in a cylindrical shape , I wanted to make rectangular cookies so I patted the dough from all four sides . Chill the dough for half an hour for easy handling.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking tray with parchment paper.Be sure not to overheat the oven, shortbread is a sensitive cookie, if it cooks too fast , it will lose it’s shape.
Cut the dough in 1/4 inch cookies with a sharp knife and place half an inch apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are slightly brown. Cool the cookies on the tray.
Just for being fancy and to add a little more lemon flavor you can make lemon glaze and just drizzle over the cookies.
Ingredients for the glaze
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
juice of half a lemon
Just mix everything and warm in a microwave safe bowl for thirty seconds. It sets up quickly so pour over your confections quickly!! You may double the recipe for cakes.❤️Enjoy
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