Monday, July 11, 2011

Lemon Thyme Cookies


Welcome to LEMON WEEK at Red Couch Recipes!


Who doesn't love the smell of lemons while grating or juicing them?  Like many of you, I have a love affair with lemons.  They are tangy, zesty, and so vibrantly colored.; they brighten up any drink or dish.   Growing up, we seldom had fresh lemons around the home -- well, we did have lemons in the form of bottled juice.   While living in California, I was delighted to see lemons just weighing down a tree at the home of my husband's Uncle Bill. To have fresh lemons off a tree was a Wisconsin's girl's true delight!

My lemon thyme on my back deck.  You just have to love its scent and taste.


When I lived in Lindon, Utah, Tonya Lemone, a woman from my church, had a store called Perennial Garden in Orem.  As a part of her business, she would hold "teas" in her beautiful backyard.  She had the most amazing backyard full of produce and two lovely buildings; one was a fanciful garden shed and the other was a cottage.  She generously opened up her backyard for church events, such as Relief Society Homemaking Meetings and wedding receptions.  She even had a Maypole -- can you say jealous?  At these teas, her signature cookie was a Lemon Thyme Cookie. I believe she sold packets of dried Lemon Thyme at her lovely little store.
This is my version adapted from Tonya's recipe for Lemon Thyme Cookies.  Tonya's was more of a purist; I added the lemon juice, lemon rind, and ground ginger.


1 cup butter -- Do not use margarine; Tonya would not approve.
1-1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2-3/4 cups flour
4 teaspoons Lemon Thyme -- I used fresh.
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated fresh lemon rind
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Cream butter and sugar, then cream in eggs.  To the creamed mixture, add flour, lemon thyme, lemon juice and lemon rind.  Shape into tablespoon-sized balls  and roll in sugar.  Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.  Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. 

Notes:  The cookie dough will be quite moist.  The cookies when baked will be flat, but not especially crisp.  The recipe yields around 30 cookies.


Hope you drop by all week for Lemon Week where a good dose of lemon will brighten and refresh your day.

You might also like the following recipes from my Citrus Archives:
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Lemon Brownie Bites


24 comments:

Deanna said...

oh Joni, absolutely delicious!!!
Nothing is better in this ole hot weather than something lemon like!
God bless.
d

Lynn said...

Just beautiful Joni, sounds like fun memories! I surely do have plenty of lemon time:@)

Barbara F. said...

Joni, these cookies are beautiful. I love lemon desserts, actually lemon anything! Tonya 's home sounds like a dreamy place. Funny that her last name is "lemon(e)"! These to me are the perfect tea cookie. xo,

Pondside said...

I love lemon too! The first time I saw lemon on a tree I was an adult and we were in Florida. I was like a child in a toy store! I'll bet these are delicious with a cup of hot tea.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Joni those cookies look so good! I have never seen anything like this recipe, thanks!

Sarah said...

Lemon week! I'll be right there, Joni. I love anything flavored with lemon. I actually need to make something with lemons here. I have a bowl full sitting on the counter. ~ Sarah

Anonymous said...

i LOVE lemons how sunny and refreshing! anne

La said...

Hi Joni!

These cookies look so good. I will be watching for more lemony goodness.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Joni, YOur lemon thyme cookies look so delicate and scrumptious! I am excited about lemon week. Looking forward to all your lemmony posts!
Yvonne

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I recently attended an herb best at Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the ladies baked up a storm using herbs in each cookie. I bought one of every cookie they had, which was about 18! I'll be following along with you during lemon week. When I get lemon on my fingers while cooking, I savor the smell!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I meant to say I attended an herb "fest". Not "best". Although it was the best herb fest I ever attended. :-)

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Joni,

I feel as if I must repeat myself when I visit, but I'm always enamored with your edible creations. These look so good! This is the first year we've ever grown any herbs and thyme is one we chose. It's been so easy, even with the heat, that I wonder why we never did it before. Anyway, I am going to use some and make these cookies. Sounds like a great combination. I think my mouth is watering!
I have to agree with Tonya...use the real thing!

Nancy

Renée said...

Hey, I'm up for lemon week for sure...you know I love your themes. Those cookies look so yummy and even rustic with the lemon thyme.

My suggestion for your next theme, turkey eggs! That is so cool about your family and I bet their turkeys are delish. I'm going to check it out next time. Thanks for the heads up!

Jane said...

Love love love lemons. I made a sugar-less lemon-basil sorbet this weekend, but it was way too tart. However...when added to the iced tea pitcher, along with some more Splenda, it made the PERFECT iced tea!!!

Marlis said...

Oh my this recipe makes my mouth water (along with the lovely photos)... I know where I'm going this afternoon! out out to buy a pot of lemon thyme.. I have the regular by the basket fulls... but I know I will love this version too. Thanks for opening my eyes and my stomach to a virtual feast! Many blessings, marlis

Julie Harward said...

I am going to love this...I am so crazy about lemons! :D

The Fajdich Times said...

I have Thyme in my garden! These cookies sound wonderful. Can't wait to try them:)

Sue said...

I grow thyme, but not lemon thyme. I wonder if it is too late to find it around here. These sound so interesting and they are so pretty. I love the presentation for your photo.

Donna Elick said...

Oh my heavens, these look delightful!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh Joni, these cookies look light and crispy! Yummy! Thank you for the recipe!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I love all things - lemon! These look beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I adore lemony things and your cookies looks delicatly delectable! Saved this one to try. Thanks
you.

Veronica
www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

Debbie said...

My husband would REALLY love these. He isn't nearly as big of a chocolate fan as he is a cool lemon taste. He also likes his cookies to be flatter and less doughy. They look delicious.

Sue said...

These sound wonderful, Joni! How funny, I have a lemon theme up my sleeve too! There are just so many tasty lemon recipes!

Engageya