Nutty brown butter shortbread and the the bright, sunny flavor of citrus come together in these irresistible cookies that are so tender they literally melt in your mouth.

Every self-respecting holiday cookie assortment includes shortbread, and these add a welcome citrusy brightness to all the other rich flavors, spices, chocolate, and nuts. For extra lemony flavor in ...

14 tablespoons (1¾ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature (see note) ½ cup granulated sugar, plus more for pressing the cookies 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 1 pinch fine sea ...