01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy for each cookie variety.
03 - Add eggs where required, along with flavorings such as lemon juice, vanilla extract, or lemon zest. Mix until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and any additional dry ingredients like poppy seeds, matcha powder, or crushed strawberries.
05 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. For shortbread, proceed to chilling step.
06 - For drop cookies, scoop tablespoonfuls onto prepared trays 2 inches apart. For shortbread, roll dough into a log, chill 30 minutes, then slice into rounds.
07 - Bake each batch for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to one week.