Creating these delicious Lemon Shortbread Cookies is simple. Follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add Lemon and Vanilla: Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should have a fragrant, lemony aroma.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

5. Shape and Chill: Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Sprinkle with Sugar: If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a little extra granulated sugar for added sweetness and a touch of sparkle.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.