Before I got my hands on some very fragrant lavender that Heather sent me, I’d keep coming across a bunch of recipes that I thought would be perfect if only I had some lavender. I must have been longing for lavender so much that I found it in my blogging by mail package. Now I was faced with a new problem – I’ve only 10g of lavender, so I must make something absolutely worthwhile!
With the cookie craze that has enveloped the blogosphere, I pulled out my cookie book and stumble upon a lovely French shortbread recipe. I changed a couple of things and ended up with a flaky, crunchy shortbread – served it with fresh strawberries for a delicious late afternoon snack.
Lavender Shortbread
Yield: 16
Adapted from: The Little Big Cookies Book
1 cup / 150g flour
2tbsp cornstarch
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp lavender (I used dried)
¼ cup / 50g sugar
½ cup / 125g butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 325F/170C and lightly grease a 9 inch springform pan.
- Sift together the flour, cornstarch, sugar and salt and stir in the lavender.
- Toss in cubes of chilled butter and blend together until they look like crumbs. (I made it this way as opposed to creaming butter and sugar together).
- Place the crumbs into the pan and press down with the hands or a potato masher.
- Now is when you can shape the edges with a pattern of your choice and pierce the dough uniformly to prevent it rising when it’s baking.
- With a knife, make 16 wedges, so that it’ll be easier to have 16 distinct pieces after it’s done baking.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Cut pieces when it’s still warm along the lines that were made earlier.
- Transfer to a rack to cool.
Next time around, I’d probably bake it for 5-7 minutes less than the prescribed 25 minutes to have softer shortbread. And then drizzle it with white chocolate.
– I know I sound quite juvenile, but I’m really excited!You can keep your links and feeds if you like since this blog can still be accessible at the old address of purplefoods.blogspot.com with the same content on it, though I would suggest that you folks resubscribe and update your bookmarks.
Oh and what a pleasant coincidence – The first day of The Purple Foodie starts with Lavender shortbread!
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on the new domain name and blog name. Perfect!
I had some lavender that I experimented with recently and I made the very same thing! I drizzled a bit of lemony icing on top. White chocolate drizzle sounds equally delicious!
Congrats on the new name and domain! *throws confetti*
The lavender shortbread looks delish! I’ve always been scared of baking with lavender, for fear that it’d taste ‘soapy’
Perhaps I should give this a try when I get my hands on some lavender 
Congrats on your new changes! And the shortbread looks divine with the lavender, too!
Yeah for you on the new domain! So glad you liked the lavender. I love cooking with it – use it a lot on baked chicken. We’ve also found some wonderful lavender honey from France – a bit on the pricey side but tastes so good!
I’ve always wanted to work with lavender, see them in those jars at the supermarket and not knowing what to do with them, I put them back.
This looks and sounds amazing!
i thought it was adorable, too, how the purple foodie features lavender shortbread! hehe
my mom loves shortbread, but unfortunately, she and i both dislike lavender. hmmm… do you think it would work with something else, too?
Recipe Girl: Thank you so much! I like the idea of a lemony icing.
Ovenhaven: I know I was wondering if my cookies would taste like room freshener too. But this smells more like a spice. In fact two people asked if I had added cardamom to it!
Elle: Thank you
Heather: Oh perfect, I’ve to make a roast chicken soon. I will add it to the spice blend.
Anudivya: Let me know when you give it a shot! It’s amazing. I can’t wait to make another batch
Pearl: Hey good to know we think alike
Oh you could most definitely sub the lavender for something that suits your taste – I’ve tried using a little dried ginger powder in the past. I think dried herbs or vanilla would be delish too.
Wow looks gr8. Lavender in cookies is an yummy idea.
I like you purple make over shaheen.I never spotted lavender in stores here,When I do ,I would love to try your scrumptious shortbread recipe:)
I’ve never cooked with lavender before, it looks good. Congrats on your new domain!
I make a lavender honey lemon biscotti the aroma is just so peaceful.
We make Lavender sugar by just sticking a couple of dozen lavender heads in 1KG of brown sugar, then use it for any fruit for a delicate lift and works wonders with a little lime in Madeleines…enjoy!
Thanks Kitchen Flavours, Yasmeen, Gaga.
Jerzee TOmato: Lavender honey biscotti? Oh my!
Jingo: What a wonderful idea! Totally love it!
I love lavander in shortbread! I think it makes it special, and oh boy does yours look good!!!
And don’t you just love how the lavender cookie matches the name of your blog?
I like how you have shaped your cookies.
Clumbsy Cookie: Thanks Rita!
Cynthia: You know me long enough to know my fixation with purple.
My mom just shipped me some of her homegrown lavender. Now I know what to do with it!
How appropriate! Perfect first post to launch your new blog name
Lavender shortbread is such a lovely idea. It’s so feminine that I could also envision this at bridal showers and brunches. Thank you so much for the entry. I just love it!
Jude: Thank you!
Susan: Oh yes! Perfect for such an occasion. I’m so happy to participate!
what a wonderful use of your precious lavender!
These look incredible! I love cooking/baking with lavender and shortbread is a surefire hit.
I haven’t baked with lavender in a while… your beautiful shortbread cookies have inspired me. They look scrumptious. Happy new year!
These look amazing, I love lavender in sweet and savory dishes. You have a delicious blog!
hi! my name is Elena from Italy. i found you on flickr an i think your photos and recipes are amazing! can i add you on as a contact on my food blog?
if you want you find mw on http://www.conunpocodizucchero.it
see you
ps:i’m sorry for my english
Hey thank you for stopping by, Elena. I like your your blog too, but if only I could read Italian!
These look great! I love the idea of speeding up the process by doing them all in one pan. Good call!
Here’s my lavender shortbread recipe, if you’re looking to give another recipe a try. So delicious. Then again, with that much butter and sugar, how could you really go wrong?
http://wp.me/puWta-8f
Anyone else have any favorite holiday cookies? I’m already getting excited for my baking weekends come December, so will have to add some additional sweet goodies to the list!
I just made these and they are fabulous! I loved the simplicity of the ingredients. I’ve been looking for a good shortbread cookie and some recipes call for eggs or milk and other ingredients that don’t belong in a proper shortbread cookie. I dialed back the lavender just a bit because I work with unadventurous people and these are for a work party. I couldn’t resist trying a warm one and I’m sure they’ll be even more delicious tomorrow. Thans for posting!
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