Minimalist Sage & Lemon Cookies — Just 5 Ingredients, Pure Flavor

Minimalism has always been part of me — a natural instinct to simplify everything: life, home, food, clothes… Yesterday, coming home to an almost empty fridge, I thought: what could I leave you for the weekend that’s simple, intriguing, and keeps your taste buds busy until I’m back?
I had butter, flour, lemon, and some sage leaves in the freezer — bingo! Minimalist cookies with only 5 ingredients.

🕒 Prep & Baking Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30-40 minutes
Bake Time: 13 minutes
Yield: About 20 cookies

📝 Ingredients

115 g salted butter (82% fat), cut into cubes
130–150 g all-purpose flour (type BL55/550)
50 g powdered sugar
1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
Zest of ½ organic lemon

🔪 Instructions

Cream Butter:
- In a food processor or mixer, beat the butter cubes until soft.
Infuse Sugar with Lemon Zest:
- Rub lemon zest into the powdered sugar with your fingers to release the aroma, then add to the butter. Mix for about 4 minutes until creamy. Add the chopped sage towards the end of mixing to evenly distribute.
Add Flour:
- Transfer the butter mixture to a bowl. Gradually add the flour and mix with a fork using folding and pressing motions until flour is absorbed. The dough will be crumbly and not fully cohesive—this is perfect for a tender, sandy texture.
Form Dough Roulade:
- Turn the dough onto a work surface and press it gently with your hands to form a rough log shape. Even if crumbly, keep pressing to help it bind. Split the dough into two portions if needed and wrap each in a plastic bag. Roll the dough inside the bag into a smooth cylinder about 4 cm in diameter. Roll gently on the surface to smooth out cracks.
Chill:
- Refrigerate the dough logs for 30–40 minutes to firm up.
Slice and Bake:
- Using a thin-bladed knife, slice the logs into 1 cm thick rounds. If cracks appear, gently press the pieces back together. Place the slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 13 minutes. The tops will stay pale but the bottoms should turn lightly golden—this is ideal. Avoid overbaking.
Cool:
- Let the cookies cool completely on the tray. They will develop that perfect sandy texture once fully cooled.

💡 Tips

Use good quality salted butter for balanced flavor and texture.
Don’t worry about cracks during shaping—they add to the homemade charm and don’t affect taste.
If you prefer a slightly sweeter cookie, add a pinch more sugar, but these balance perfectly between buttery, citrusy, and herbal notes.
Perfect paired with coffee or even as a little snack during travel or moments of stress.

🧾 Final Thoughts

These minimalist sage and lemon cookies celebrate simplicity in its best form. With just five ingredients, they deliver a delicate, buttery, and subtly aromatic bite that lingers softly on the palate. They’re perfect for those who appreciate understated elegance and crave a quiet moment of comfort.