I've grown to love the scent of lavender and have always been intrigued by the way it adds a subtle, fragrant taste to foods and drinks. Since I ordered organic cooking lavender for the shop I knew I would need to give it a try myself. I decided to first add it to one of my absolute favorite, never changed a jot of it recipes...my great granny Frances' lemon sugar cookies. These are the kind you chill and cut out and have been THE staple cut out cookie for my family for 50+ years. And now I'm changing it - but just a wee bit! And you know what? We loved the addition of lavender! I hope you'll give it a try as well as some of the additional recipes I will link. Let me know what you think! =)
Granny's (Lavender) Lemon Sugar Cookies
What you'll need for cookies:
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- lemon zest from one lemon (after zesting, juice the lemon and set aside)
- 1 TBLS edible dried lavender flowers
What you'll need for icing:
- 1 - 2 cup powdered sugar
- juice of one lemon
- 1-2 TBLS hot water, as needed
*Now, before we start...let me say, if you want a bit more lemon or to adjust the lavender, GO FOR IT! You are making these for YOU so you want to do what you like best! Also, In the past I've added lemon extract (1 tsp) if I felt I needed a little more or didn't have lemon on hand. 🍋
Mix flour, baking soda and baking powder well. Cut in butter until mixture resembles corn meal. In a separate bowl beat eggs. Add sugar and lemon and continue to beat until well blended. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture and once combined (it will be thick and you should be able to form a ball) wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour. You want your dough firm. Once it chilled well you can roll it out and cut into whatever shapes you like. Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes.
**Time will depend on how thick you roll them out and your own oven, so be sure to check on them after about 6 minutes. A slight golden edge on the bottom is ok. Too golden and they won't be soft. Still tasty, but not soft!
Once the cookies are cooled you can make your icing. I keep it simple and don't really measure. (I know, what kind of recipe sharer says that - sorry!) Using the measurements above for icing mix together the powdered sugar with lemon juice and if too thick for spreading, you can add a little hot water a bit at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Frost those cookies and immediately follow up with a few lavender buds. If you want to skip the lavender topping and add little coloring to that icing that would be nice, too!
Here are a few of the lavender infused recipes I've found on Pinterest that I'm excited to try. Don't forget to let me know if you've tried the cookies or one of these other recipes in the comments or by tagging Chaleur Market in your photo on Instagram. I'd love to hear how it turned out! =)
From Reluctant Entertainer... Downton Abbey Lavender Tea Bread
From First Day of Home... Lavender Lemonade
From Satori Design for Living...Lavender London Fog Latte
From Sweet and Sour Baker... Vanilla Lavender Scone Bites
bon appetit! -tracey 🤍
Organic Cooking Lavender Flowers