Lavender Shortbread Cookies: A Buttery Family Favorite with a Floral Twist Recipe
These Lavender Shortbread Cookies bring a delicate floral twist to the classic buttery treat. Perfectly crisp and tender, they infuse the subtle aroma and flavor of dried culinary lavender into every bite, making them a delightful addition to your cookie jar or a charming gift for loved ones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Prepare the Lavender: Begin by gently crushing the dried culinary lavender with your fingers or using a mortar and pestle. This helps release the floral oils, enhancing the aroma and flavor in the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar using an electric mixer or wooden spoon until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for the cookie’s texture.
- Add Lavender: Stir the crushed lavender into the creamed butter and sugar mixture to evenly distribute its delicate floral notes.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing gently with a spatula or your hands just until the dough comes together. Avoid overworking to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the Dough: Gather the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut into desired shapes, then transfer the shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the cookies for 18-22 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Store: Once cooled, enjoy your fragrant lavender shortbread cookies with tea or coffee. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use only culinary-grade dried lavender to avoid bitterness from lavender meant for potpourri or decoration.
- Chilling the dough is important to maintain shape and create a tender crumb.
- For a slightly more pronounced lavender flavor, you can increase the lavender up to 1 tablespoon, but taste carefully as it can become overpowering.
- If you prefer sweeter cookies, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract during the creaming step.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of herbal or black tea.
