lavender shortbread

I love lavender. The delicate scent and stunning color calms me. There’s a reason lavender essential oil is used in aromatherapy! I saw it growing as a hedge in Tuscany and have been thinking about this shortbread recipe ever since.

My herb garden receives up to nine hours of sunshine daily giving them perfect growing conditions especially for lavender. I may not be able to grow a hedge because of our brutal winters but my clump is pretty sweet!

We had friends over for dinner last night. I couldn’t wait to make these lovely little shortbreads for them. I served them with a little ice cream… They went like hotcakes!

Lavender Shortbread

makes 12 small cookies

preheat oven 325*F

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms

1/3 cup icing sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

Beat butter until fluffy

Add lavender, icing sugar and vanilla – beat well

Add flour and beat on medium until completely kneaded. The dough will grab together in a mass

Line a baking sheet with parchment

Using a small scoop, make 12 balls

Place balls on baking sheet and flatten to 1/4 inch thickness – I used a ramekin

Prick each cookie with the tines of a fork then place in preheated oven

Bake for 20 minutes then check – cookies should be lightly browned on the bottom – I cooked mine for 5 more minutes…

Remove from oven, make the tea and enjoy!

Thanks for reading