Horizontal overhead photo of a batch of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites.

Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on July 7, 2022
5 from 8 votes
These melt-in-your-mouth Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites are sweet, buttery and super delicious. Made in a muffin pan, they always come out perfectly round and are perfect for gifting with the free printable labels!

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These melt-in-your-mouth Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites are crisp, buttery and super delicious. Baked in a mini muffin pan, they always come out perfectly round and are excellent for gifting with the free printable labels.

If you've surmised that I have "a thing" about the lemon-blueberry flavor combination, you're right! It's a fabulous pairing in both sweet (like these Lemon Blueberry Scones or these Bakery Style Lemon Blueberry Muffins ) and savory recipes (like this Blueberry Arugula Salad with Honey Mustard Lemon Dressing). These Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites are another delicious example to add to our growing collection!

Horizontal photo of a stack of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on a blue and white patterned napkin.

A problem

If you've baked with blueberries you might think that there's a little conundrum here. Blueberries are sweet and juicy and add lots of delicious moisture to baked goods. On the other hand, shortbread is supposed to have a crisp, sandy texture. The two don't seem to pair very well together, but we've solved that problem by using dried blueberries in this Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites recipe.

The dried berries are plumped a bit by placing them in the microwave for 45 seconds with a bit of water or juice, resulting in soft, tender berries but, unlike their fresh cousins, they don't exude extra moisture into the shortbread dough. Problem solved!

Horizontal extreme closeup photo of a Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on a blue and white patterned napkin.

Another problem

I love that these Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites are shatteringly crisp and crunchy. But therein lies a small problem... if you're trying a sneak one or two, good luck! They do shatter in your mouth with the first bite, which is a great thing. However, if you're trying to enjoy one or two, on the sly, your mother (or husband, wife, brother, sister... whoever!) will be sure to notice a little trail of crumbs.

Vertical extreme closeup of a stack of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on a blue and white patterned napkin.

Ridiculously Easy

We call these Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites "ridiculously easy" because they truly are! They require just one bowl (no mixer needed) and the dough comes together in a flash. I made a batch this morning and the shortbread was ready for the oven in right around 15 minutes.

Another reason for the name is that, being super easy to make, this recipe is the latest addition to our collection of recipes that we call "Ridiculously Easy". You can read more about this compilation of recipes in this post but my brief definition of our Ridiculously Easy recipes is "Recipes that make you look like a kitchen rock star with minimal effort on your part". Our readers love these recipes and so do we!

Vertical overhead photo of a plate of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites with a bowl of fresh blueberries and lemons on a wood table.

The easy way to make perfectly round cookies

If you ever struggle with making attractive, consistently round cookies, this Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites recipe might just become your best friend! The dough is scooped into 24 portions and each one is placed in a mini muffin pan resulting in a whole batch of perfectly round cookies.

Horizontal overhead closeup photo of a batch of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on a white serving plate with daisies.

Make a friend!

Speaking of making friends, a little box, plate or bag of these Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites is a great way to start or grow a friendship! We've created a PDF for a pretty little label to adorn your gifts. If you'd like these free, printable labels, simply leave us a comment in the comment section at the bottom of this post.

Vertical photo of custom Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bite labels and a box for custom gift giving.

We'll email you the PDFs for the labels along with instructions on how to use them and links for the boxes and ribbon pictured in this post.

Horizontal photo of custom Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bite labels and boxes for gift giving.

Put these Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on your must-make baking list sometime soon. Your kitchen will be filled with a heavenly aroma, and your family and friends' hearts will be filled with gratitude. Only you and I need to know that these delicious cookies are RIDICULOUSLY EASY!

Vertical closeup photo of a stack of Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites on a blue and white patterned napkin.

Café Tips for making these Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites

  • Because this recipe doesn't require a mixer, the butter needs to be nice and soft. You can let the butter sit out at room temperature, but if the air is chilly in your house, it won't get soft enough. Here are some easy ways to soften butter:
    • You can soften the butter in the microwave at 10% power level. It works like magic! You'll need to experiment a bit with your microwave though, as they're all different. Start with 1 minute. Add 20 to 30-second increments until you learn how long your microwave will take to get the butter nice and soft, but not melted.
    • Another technique I often use to soften butter is to put it in the microwave for a few hours with the light on. To keep the light on in the microwave I put a folded paper towel in the door.
    • Boil a cup of water in the microwave for 3-4 minutes and get things nice and steamy. Leave the water cup in the microwave, add the butter and close the door. The warmth from the steamy water will help to quickly soften the butter.
    • Cutting the butter into small pieces helps it soften quicker.
    • Place the hard butter on a small plate. Fill a bowl with hot water. Wait 5 minutes then discard the water. Put the warm bowl over the butter.
    • Put the butter in the oven with just the oven light turned on. This will take a few hours.
    • The fastest way to soften butter is to put cold butter in the microwave for 10 seconds. Turn it to the opposite side and microwave for another 10 seconds. It might be ready at this point, but if it's not entirely soft, add one or two more 5-second stints.
  • This Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites recipe calls for dried blueberries. You can find dried blueberries at most larger grocery stores in the same area where you find raisins and other dried fruit. Costco carries them for a reasonable price and dried blueberries are available online.
  • Be sure to spray the mini muffin pan(s) well with baking or non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal.
  • I like to sprinkle my cookies with cane sugar which is a bit coarser than traditional granulated sugar, has a little shimmer and adds a bit of crunch. You could also use Turbinado or Demerara sugars which are even more coarse or you can use regular granulated sugar.
  • I like to flatten the tops of these cookies (with a flat-bottom glass or the bottom of a small metal measuring cup) when they emerge from the oven and sprinkle them with a bit more sugar, but that's totally optional.
  • If you don't have any lemons and you happen to have lemon extract, that will also work. Just substitute a teaspoon of lemon extract for the lemon zest.

Thought for the day:

For I, the LORD your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you,
"Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
Isaiah 41:13

What we're listening to for inspiration:

No a Longer Slave to Fear

 

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Ridiculously Easy Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites

Chris Scheuer
These melt-in-your-mouth Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites are sweet, buttery and super delicious. Made in a muffin pan, they always come out perfectly round and are perfect for gifting with the free printable labels!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 143

Ingredients
 
 

  • cup dried blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon apple juice, orange juice or water
  • 1 cup very soft butter
  • ½ cup white sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • finely grated zest from 1 medium-size lemon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup corn starch

Instructions
 

For the prep:

  1. Combine dried blueberries and apple juice or water in a microwave-safe cup or bowl. Stir to coat. Cover the bowl or cup with a damp paper towel and microwave on high or 45 seconds. Stir again and set aside to cool while you make the dough.
  2. Preheat oven to 350˚F (177˚C). Spray two 12-cup mini muffin pans (or 1 24-cup mini muffin pan) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

For the cookies:

  1. Combine butter, sugars, lemon zest, vanilla and salt in a medium-size bowl and stir with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon well until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the flour and cornstach and stir from the bottom up until completely incorporated. The dough will be a little crumbly but make sure there is no dry flour at the bottom of the bowl.
  3. Drain off any excess liquid from the plumped blueberries then turn them out onto several thicknesses of paper toweling. Pat well to remove any extra moisture.
  4. Add the blueberries to the dough and stir gently to evenly incorporate.
  5. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon scoop up the dough into 24 portions. Each one should be approximately 1 tablespoon or right around 30g. Place the scoops of dough in the cups of the prepared pan and flatten with your hand. The dough will pretty much fill the cups. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and bake until the tops are gold brown, about 12-15 minutes.
  6. At this point, you can leave the shortbread bites just as they are or flatten the tops with the bottom of a small glass or metal measuring cup and sprinkle with a bit more sugar. Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then use a thin-bladed, small sharp knife along one edge to gently remove the cookies to a cooling rack.
  7. Allow to cool completely than store in an airtight container. These cookies also freeze well!

Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 87mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American, British

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215 Comments

  1. Love your labels. Perfect timing too. My book group is meeting to discuss "The Berry Pickers" and everyone is to bring a blueberry themed dessert. Easy Blueberry Shortbread Bites for the win!

    1. Hi Donna, Thanks for your kind comments and for the book recommendation! Hope this recipe turns out beautifully for you and your book group. The labels are on the way to your inbox - Enjoy!

  2. This recipe sounds delicious. Can fresh blueberries be used instead of dried blueberries? I’m not sure where to find dried blueberries.

    1. Hi Carolyn, We don't recommend using fresh blueberries for this recipe because the extra moisture would make the cookies soggy instead of crisp. Most grocery stores carry dried blueberries near the raisins and other dried fruits, including grocers like Lidl and Aldi. You can also order dried blueberries from Amazon and other online retailers. Hope you're able to make this recipe at some point - if so, we'd love to hear how they turn out!

  3. I have made these several times and they are delish! I find that if I bake them a lot longer in my oven (around 25 minutes) they are crunchy on outside and moist in the middle. I also grease the non-stock muffin tins very little so they don't get greasy.

    Thanks for a great recipe. I would love the labels please. Thanks again!

    1. Hi Julie, Thanks for your kind comments and for sharing your experience with this recipe! It's great to hear how well these turned out for you. The labels are on the way to your inbox - Enjoy!

    1. Hi Debbie, not sure what you mean by this but the recipe is above the comment section.

  4. I have made the lemon blueberry cookies previously so look forward to trying these. Can I please have the labels.

  5. I love the paired flavors, and beautiful, crisp texture. I'm a fan of sparkling sugar on cookies, and desserts.
    Will you send me the PDF for the pretty labels!

  6. Shortbread is a favorite "happy" to give! Can't wait to make these!
    I would love the labels.....thank you!!

  7. Chris, these sounds delish and I look forward to making them for gifts!
    If I’m not too late, please send me the label pdf.
    Many thanks,
    Millie

      1. Hi, I just received your labels or lemon blueberry scones. Instead I was hoping for the lemon blueberry shortbread label. May I still receive that one?
        Many thanks, Millie

        1. Yes! You should have received the correct version, but I will try again just in case!

  8. Can't wait to make these and give as gifts, would very much like the labels as they will be a great added touch.
    thank you

  9. When I sent my last comment I forgot to tell you that I look forward to your postings and to your recipes. Merci, Elle

  10. Oh! Do please send the lovely labels. I use them all and I always have lemons and frozen blueberries on hand. Merci.

  11. Just wondering if the Sugar Plum Fairy Shortbread Bites could be cooked in the mini muffin tins as well, certainly would save some time.
    What are your thoughts on this... would it work?

  12. These are very, very good, but I think the next time I make these I will use a standard size muffin tin and make these a little thinner.
    I prefer a thinner shortbread, personal preference. I did use my stand mixer to lightly mix the butter and sugars, the rest was done by hand.
    I know a few people who will be very happy to have something on the dainty tray with blueberries in them!
    Thank you Chris for all the time and energy perfecting recipes on your website, you are my "go-to-girl" and your recipes never disappoint!!!

  13. Absolutely delicious ! Experienced with many other dried fruits and different fruit zests. Made one with date and orange zest and it was fabulous. I made another with dried cherries and lemon zest. Apricot and lime zest so good! I’m on a roll!

  14. I just now finished making a batch - had my doubts that the batter would come together easily but it did! Thank you for this delicious recipe. Please send me the labels.

  15. Thanks for combining my favorites, shortbread and lemon/blueberry! These were delicious. Please send the labels. Thanks
    Linda

  16. I just saw dried blueberries in the store the other day...I love blueberries! Can you please send the lable PDF? Thank you

      1. This recipe sounds yummy! I plan to gift these....and make a few for myself! Please send the PDF label. Thank you for providing such tasty recipes. They are a hit with my family and friends! -Kellie

  17. I love every single thing with your posts - the recipes, the beautiful presentations, and the photography, the scripture, the music links. I have a VERY long list of all of your delicious recipes to try. I’d love the labels please.

  18. Hi Chris
    Please send me the label file for your Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites. I look forward to making them and sharing them. Thank you!

  19. I can't wait to make these for our visitors! I would love the labels to also share these delightful bites. Not only have I enjoyed so many of your recipes but your presentations are always so stunning! Thank you for your inspiration!

    1. I look forward to making your lemon blueberry muffins - they will be a lovely gift.
      Please send me the labels - thank you Chris!

  20. I love blueberries and that will be very handy and such a nice presentation with you amazing labels.
    Thanks for sending me them.
    Have a great day.
    Helene

  21. Can't wait to try this recipe. Please send me the labels, I thin the labels just psh thewhole thing over the tp! Thank you!

  22. Made them for ME……oh so good now I am going to make them for friends. The LABELS would be a great touch.

  23. These are so pretty and look yummy! Can’t wait to try these and make them for friends as well!
    I would love the pdf for the labels!
    Thank you!
    Sondra Levingston

  24. These look so yummy. I love the combination of lemon and blueberries. I will be making these for our hospital auxiliary bake sale in the coming weeks and would love to have the labels to put on the small packages of cookies that I will be putting up for sale. Thank you very much

  25. Excited to try these. Sounds like a unique recipe and I also love blueberries and lemon together. I would love a copy of your label for these cookies. Thank you.

    1. Being an artist of another kind, yet still loves to bake....the first picture of your "canvas" pulled me in. And I have never left.
      Simply BEAUTIFUL. And the things I have tried when time permits have not dissappointed. Its a work of art on the plate and
      for the eyes as well. Your ideas and stories are the sugar. So thank you dear friends, you have opened my eyes to new beauty
      and a new form of expression. Outstanding.

      Deep grattitude
      Donna

      1. Thank you, Donna! I really appreciate you taking the time to express such a kind, thoughtful comment 🥰 I read this to Scott. He loved it too!

  26. I love your blog. My husband loves shortbread and blueberries and to think you’ve created a treat by combining the two! I would love to make these and put them in a pretty white box using the label you created. Could you send a copy to ruby_gann@yahoo.com?
    Thank you!

  27. Loved this recipe, and it was a great hit with my coworkers on a Friday afternoon! Thanks! I would add that I first printed the recipe, and for some reason, the printed version comes up with step 2 giving directions to prepare and bake, then goes back to the mixing instructions in step 3. I looked back and forth several times to figure it out! Otherwise, all well and loved these!

    1. Hi Barb, thanks for your review. So happy you and your coworkers enjoyed the shortbread bites!
      Regarding the printing, I made an error when I first published the recipe but corrected it. Sometimes the printed version takes a little longer to correct.

  28. I made these today. I put too much batter in the cells of the mini muffin pan, so they came out looking like mini muffins, but so what? They’re delicious! I know for the next time I make them, which will be soon.
    Thanks for another great recipe!

      1. Greetings from Charlotte!
        I bought dried blueberries to make these this weekend. I (and my friends that get my baked treats) am a huge fan of your shortbread recipes! And I’ve experimented some as well 😊
        May I please have labels sent to me?

  29. Another shortbread I look forward to gifting!
    I would love the labels to complete the look, thank you.

  30. As always, Chris, you provided yet another fantastic recipe featuring lemon and blueberries!
    With family visiting from Denmark in about 10 days, I will be making these little treats to impress the grandchildren!

    I may have missed the option for freezing in previous comments, but can I make and freeze without affecting texture and quality?

    Would you also be kind enough to forward these lovely labels for future gifts for friends, neighbors, and hostesses?

    Happy Fourth of July from Prescott,
    Barbara

    1. Hi Barbara, yes, they do freeze beautifully but they also store well in an airtight container. I actually forgot about some of these bites that I had “hid” a few weeks ago. We “discovered” them a few days ago and they were still crisp and delicious!

  31. I love the clever tip and idea of scooping the dough and putting in mini muffin pans. I can never get cookies that are rolled in a log and then sliced even. I would love to have the labels. Thank you in advance and Happy 4th of July.

  32. Thank you, Chris. I'm drying fresh organic homegrown blueberries this morning for use this fall and winter in your Blueberry Bites, muffins and pancakes.

    Question? If using FRESH Blueberries, what would the equivalent be...and, would I still need the juice called for to reconstitute the dried berries?

    1. Hi Peacetou, I wouldn't use fresh berries for this recipe. The cookies wouldn't be crisp but soggy instead, not like shortbread.

      1. Ahhh.... my blueberries are almost dried. Thank you...didn't think that far ahead! 🤔😉🤗

  33. Love this flavor combination. I would like to have the label pdf sent, as i hope to share these goodies! Thank you.

  34. I can’t wait to make these for our fourth of July get together tomorrow! Please send the labels 😊

  35. Happy July 4th Chris! Thank you for another "ridiculously easy " recipe that looks delicious. And...Thank you for every Bible verse and song reminding us to give Praise and Thanks to our Almighty Father! How blessed we are....Happy Birthday America!🎂

    1. Agreed! Thanks for your encouraging comment and happy 4th to you! Just sent the labels, Peacetou.

  36. Can't wait to make these. Please send me the labels. Making your banana bread tomorrow. I love your thoughts for the day.

  37. I am now going to search out dried blueberries! Yes, please send labels. Thank you so much for fabulous recipes. The scones alone have won me many compliments.

  38. The cookies look delicious, and I’ll be making them soon. Would love to have the labels .
    Thank you!

  39. Hello, I can't wait to try. Love any recipe I can prepare ahead and freeze for gifting later. What size box is pictured in the post, and can these be found online? Also, how many cookies fit into a box? Finally, please send me the PDF file for those darling stickers. I think it would be such a joy to receive such a gift.
    Thank you!

    1. Hi Tricia, the box information is in the email that I just sent with the labels. You can fit 12 cookies in a box.

  40. I have made many of your fab recipes and will definitely try this one. We love shortbread in this house. Please send me the PDF for the labels and the links for the boxes and ribbons.

    Thanks so much
    Barb

  41. Hi Chris-
    I can't wait to make this recipe to give as gifts to friends. Please send me the PDF for the labels. Love your website.
    Thank you.
    Mary Elen Stahl

  42. Hi Chris! I'm loving your Ridiculously Easy recipes, and this looks to be another winner!

    I'd love the label pdf for them.

    Thanks for ALL the great recipes, inspirational thoughts, and song links. I truly appreciate & enjoy them.
    Hoping you and Scott have a blessed Sunday 🙏, and a great 4th of July!
    (We're actually supposed to make it above 60 today. Yippee!)

    1. Thanks for your kind words and wishes, Terry! So happy things are finally warming up! Just sent the labels.

  43. Please send the label for these fabulous cookies. I know I will be gifting some of these. Thank you!

  44. Looks like a great idea for a potluck dessert! Would love you to send me the labels and thank you.

  45. Please send the printable labels to me as well as the information for getting the boxes. Thank you. I always give my walking buddies something I have baked for their Christmas present. This will be so appreciated by them… And me!

  46. When is the cornstarch supposed to be added? Does it matter whether you add it alongside the flour, or first mix it with the blueberries?

    1. Hi Erin,
      Oops! It goes in with the flour. I have corrected that in the recipe. Thanks for the heads-up!

  47. Looking forward to making these for a friend who is having surgery. Thank you!! If you have time please send the labels and links as well. Bobbi

  48. I would love to try this recipe especially because the round shape is guaranteed. Please email me the labels. Thank you.

  49. Thank you so much, Chris for your lovely recipes and for the adorable labels. I would love to have the PDF of the labels. 🙂

  50. Thank you for this delicious shortbread cookie recipe. I am new at your site and have seen so many things I want to try. Please send the
    the above mentioned labels. You are most generous to offer the recipe and the labels. Again, thank you.

  51. Oh my goodness. I have ordered the berries off of Amazon as I dont see them at my grocers in canada. I would love the labels to adorn these lovely treats. Thanks for the Inspiration. Michelle

  52. please send pdf labels for these!

    I have a friend who is in great need of the warming comfort these cookies will bring

    Thank you, Chris

  53. I can’t wait to try these cookies!!! They look yummy. I also can’t wait to receive my label PDF. What a nice addition to a gift.

  54. I have been cooking/baking most of your recipes and they're all great and families and friends faves. I can't wait to make this lemon blueberry shortbread cookies, perfect it and give them as gifts. And yes, please I would love to have your printable stickers.
    Thank you for being great.
    From,
    Hope

  55. I love your recipes…thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to making your Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Bites and gifting them to friends & family. I would love your free printable labels pdf and look forward to giving delicious hostess gifts with gorgeous packaging and labels!
    Thank you for sharing💜

    1. Hi Nancy, hope you enjoy the recipe. Just sent the labels with links for the ribbon and boxes.

  56. I love the "ridiculously easy " recipes. I have never been disappointed in any of them that I have tried. This sounds like another winner. I LOVE shortbread. I would also LOVE the labels <3

  57. Ready to try these. They look delicious! Please send me the pdf for the labels. I think these will be great gifts.

  58. I would love labels for this recipe.
    Thank you for them, and for all of your beautiful images of the foods.

    1. Hi Diane, I love using a small proportion of cornstarch in shortbread as it gives it a crispier, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
      Thank you for noticing the recipe problem. I have corrected it - that step was redundant and in the wrong place. If you refresh your page, it should be right now.