Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, cream them together until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy in texture, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the freshly grated lemon zest, lemon juice, finely chopped culinary lavender, and vanilla extract. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt until well blended. This will help prevent clumping in your cookie dough.
Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough forms and is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
Scoop portions of dough using a spoon or cookie scoop, rolling each piece into a smooth ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there's about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
Gently flatten each cookie ball by pressing down with the palm of your hand to create a uniform shape.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should have lightly golden edges, while the centers might appear slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting time allows them to set before transferring.
Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, finish them off with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful and sweet touch.
Notes
Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter and garnish with fresh lavender sprigs and slices of lemon for an inviting display.