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    Home >> Latin American

    Polvorones de Limón: Spanish Lime Shortbread Cookies

    Modified: Feb 21, 2022 · Published: Dec 23, 2018 by Analida · • Word count:1026 words. • About 6 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Spanish Christmas cookies: Polvorones de Limón. A really simple unique cookie for the holidays. | ethnicspoon.com

    Polvorones de limón are a Latin take on an old British favorite: shortbread cookies. Buttery and delicious with a hint of lime and dusted with powdered sugar. This is an easy shortbread cookie to make and freeze well too.

     

    a plate of powder sugared shortbread cookies with parchment paper in the back

    Jump to:
    • Where does the name come from?
    • Tips on Ingredients
    • Step by step photos
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Polvorones de Limón: Citrus Shortbread Cookie Recipe

    These aren't your standard Christmas cookie. As the holiday season draws near, I am sure you might be wracking your brain for different and delicious desserts. I know I always am. I am especially fond of new cookies to add to my tray, at home and at work.

    In my younger years I lived in England where I acquired a taste for shortbread. I couldn't get enough. I still can't. Fast forward a bunch of years (no, I am not saying how many) and I still love shortbread. It goes well with coffee, tea, or a tall glass of milk. I am now drooling.

    shortbread cookies getting dusted with powdered sugar

    These shortbread cookies are have a hint of lime. The pinched top is a nice decorative touch. By the way, other citrus will work well too: orange or lemon come to mind.

    Now in Spain and Latin America these cookies are called polvorones because they are dusted with sugar. The literal translation of polvorones is "dusted ones". As far as cookies go, this is the best shortbread cookies recipe in my book.

    Where does the name come from?

    So where does shortbread come from, and why is it called shortbread? Well, according to my research, shortbread is a descendant of a medieval baked good called "biscuit bread." Leftover dough was left to harden and dry out; it would then be cooked again.

    The term "biscuit" literally means cooked twice. In medieval times shortbread was only eaten at special times, e.g. New Year's. The round shape of the shortbread was associated with the sun, which during the new year was scarce especially in the northern hemisphere.

    shortbread cookies freshly dusted with powdered sugar
    So, why "shortbread"? Well, the amount of butter used makes the biscuit crumbly. The term short when it is applied to crusts, and biscuits means crumbly; hence the name shortbread.

    There are three ways to prepare traditional shortbread. You can make divide a large circle into triangles or "petticoat tails."  Rectangles or "fingers", and circles which are called "shortbread rounds".

    Tips on Ingredients

    • Flour – All purpose flour works just great for these cookies.
    • Powdered sugar – Also know as confectioner’s sugar is the one to use.
    • Butter – Salted butter, and use a good quality European type butter as it has a high fat content and makes a really great shortbread cookie. I like to bake with Kerry Gold Butter.

    Step by step photos

    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Gather the ingredients, butter at room temp, powdered sugar, minced lime zest and a pinch of salt. Cream the butter and sugar.
    2. Slowly add the flour.
    3. Add the pinch of salt and minced lime zest.  A microplane zester works best for this.
    4. Roll the dough on a well floured surface and form a rectangle that is about ½ inch thick. The dough is very crumbly but just work in slowly and form it with your hands and then cut into 3 equal width strips.
    5. Gently form each strip onto a round log.
    6. Cut ¾ inch pieces and form them into a flat round or square disk and place them on a baking tray with parchment paper.  You can place them close since they do not spread while baking.
    7. Bake 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on the edges.
    8. After they have cooled sprinkle with powdered sugar.

    Collage of photos showing steps to make polvorones cookies with a mixer and ingredients.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How long can I freeze these polvorones de limón shortbread cookies? You can freeze them in an airtight container with freezer paper between layers of cookies. Don't store them until they're cooled. They will store nicely for up to 6 months. This is a great cookie to make in advance for Christmas.
    • Do I have to refrigerate the cookies? No, you do not. You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.

    More ethnic desserts are below.  You can bookmark them and try them later or pin them on Pinterest.  Enjoy!
    Try this classic Spanish style custard: coconut flan has a lovely flavor of coconut and cinnamon.
    Pistachio rosewater cookies are a Middle Eastern style shortbread cookie with just a hint of rosewater.
    Tusenbladstarta is a Swedish dessert that is like baking 6 big cookies and layering with custard cream.
    Tarte Normande is a rustic apple tart with custard from the Normandy region of France.

    Looking for more recipes?  
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook.

    A photo of Spanish polvorones cookies on a blue plate with powdered sugar.

    Polvorones de Limón: Citrus Shortbread Cookie Recipe

    A Latin American favorite. These citrus flavored shortbread cookies are a great snack, or dessert for any occasion. 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Spanish
    Keyword: baking, Christmas, cookies, lime, Mexican, shortbread
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 144kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ cup flour all purpose
    • ¾ cup confectioner sugar , plus extra for dusting
    • ¼ lb butter softened, European type, salted
    • 1 tsp lime zest finely minced
    • 1 pinch Kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350'F.
    • Grease a cookie sheet, or line with parchment paper.
    • Cream sugar and butter. Slowly add in the flour. Add the lime zest, and the salt.
    • On a well floured surface roll in to a rectangle and cut into three strips of equal length..
    • Roll each strip into a tube.  The dough will be quite crumbly, just shape it gently. 
    • Cut ¾" pieces from each tube, and roll each piece into a ball.
    • Pinch the top of the ball to create a raised surface.
    • Bake for 15 minutes or until they begin to turn golden,
    • Remove from the oven. Cool slightly and then sprinkle with sugar.

    Notes

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
    • How long can I freeze these polvorones de limón shortbread cookies? You can freeze them in an airtight container with freezer paper between layers of cookies. Be sure they are completely cooled before storing. They will store nicely for up to 6 months. This is a great cookie to make in advance for Christmas.
    • Do I have to refrigerate the cookies? No, you do not. You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 13mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.6mg

     

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    1909 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura @MotherWouldKnow

      November 23, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      What a simple and delicious cookie! I've never seen shortbread that included lime zest before. But I do love the falvor of lime, so I imagine these polvorones must be absolutely divine.

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 25, 2015 at 5:17 pm

        They are really good Laura! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Denise Wright

      November 25, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      I've never met a cookie I didn't like.....these I'm sure are no exception. You make the most interesting things!

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 25, 2015 at 5:10 pm

        Thanks Denise for your kind comment. I try!!! 🙂 Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

        Reply
    3. Sherry

      November 29, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      These cookies look fabulous! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday.

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 30, 2015 at 5:10 pm

        Thanks Sherry.

        Reply
    4. GiGi Eats

      December 01, 2015 at 11:36 pm

      if I could eat these, I would be addicted, I am sure of it!

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 06, 2015 at 3:07 pm

        🙂

        Reply
    5. Kate

      December 06, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Hi Laura,
      These look delicious! I am wondering if you think the dough would freeze well if I wanted to bake some of the cookies now and save some dough for later.

      Thanks!
      Kate

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 06, 2015 at 3:09 pm

        Kate, I am not quite sure if it would work. I have never tried it. What will probably work is if you bake the cookies and then freeze them once they are baked.

        Reply
    6. Faye Wilkerson

      December 10, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      Oh my another great cookie recipe to add to my collection.

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 11, 2015 at 2:47 pm

        Thanks Faye. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Caroline | carolinescooking

      December 10, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      I don't remember these from my time in Spain but I love both lemon and shortbread so sure I would like them!

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 11, 2015 at 2:47 pm

        They are really good Caroline.

        Reply
    8. Analida

      December 11, 2015 at 2:46 pm

      LOL! I think so. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Cathy

      December 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      I had a friend growing up whose Mom would make these! I love the lime flavor! 🙂
      Cathy

      Reply
      • Analida

        December 12, 2015 at 8:09 am

        thanks for sharing Cathy! Yes, the lime flavor is great!!!

        Reply
    10. Maeve

      May 25, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Muy Bien, Gracias!!

      Reply
      • Analida

        May 25, 2016 at 2:18 pm

        🙂

        Reply
    11. The Blog By Taina

      September 16, 2016 at 4:46 pm

      Los polvoronos son una de las galletas favoritas de mi esposo, yo creo que estas le encantaria.

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 18, 2016 at 5:08 pm

        Me alegro Taina. Tienes que preparselas entonces!

        Reply
    12. Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      November 21, 2016 at 10:39 am

      Love the touch of lime in these - my lime three overflows at the moment!

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 21, 2016 at 5:01 pm

        Thanks Beth! I simply love these!!

        Reply
    13. Annie Hall

      November 24, 2016 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      Sounds delicious! I want to go and make some NOW! x

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 24, 2016 at 4:01 pm

        🙂 Hi Annie, they are very easy to make. You should go make a batch!

        Reply
    14. April J Harris

      November 30, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      I adore shortbread, especially shortbread spiked with citrus! Your Plovorones de Limón look and sound wonderful. Pinned and scheduled to share on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul, Analida.

      Reply
      • Analida

        November 30, 2016 at 7:08 pm

        Thank you again April. These are among my favorites. I also love anything citrus.

        Reply
    15. AmandaSmith

      January 17, 2019 at 3:57 am

      5 stars
      Thanx! Very cool recipe! By the way, in college I always chose a baking theme for my theses. On this website essayexplorer.com you can find a service. which will make you an essay on any topic.

      Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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