With Valentine’s Day upon us it’s time to bake appropriate romantic themed goodies.
We’ve got a fabulous lavender farm and shop nearby and I have been thinking of using lavender as a flavour for quite a while. Since lavender has such a potent aroma and flavour a little goes a long way, and it is nicely reined in by the sweet perfumed scent of fresh vanilla. The end result is a rather sophisticated, elegant cookie.
Note: normal dried lavender is fine to use as long as it hasn’t been sprayed with any pesticides or chemicals – be sure to ask your supplier.
Lavender and Vanilla Shortbread (dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, soya-free, sesame-free, vegetarian and vegan)
makes about 12 large cookies, or 20 small
- 225g plain flour
- 75g golden caster sugar
- 1 tsp dried lavender
- 150g dairy-free margarine (I used Pure sunflower)
- 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out
- 50g granulated sugar, to sprinkle
– Preheat the oven to 180 degrees centigrade
– Line a baking sheet with parchment
– In a food processor briefly whizz together the sugar, vanilla seeds and lavender.
– Sift the flour into a bowl and stir in the sugar and vanilla
– Add the dairy-free spread and rub in with fingers. Once it starts to combine, bring together to form a soft dough.
– On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1cm thickness.
– Cut into even sized shapes – rectangles look rather elegant
– Place on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Then turn the baking sheet round and bake for another 10 minutes.
– Once the shortbread is golden brown remove from oven. Leaving it on the baking sheet, dust with the granulated sugar. Cool on the baking sheet.
14 Responses
I love love love lavender, thanks for the recipe. xxx
Lavender is surprisingly delicious in food. Must think of some other uses 🙂
Icecream ! x
Mmm, now that’s a plan! I’m excited at the thought of it 🙂
Oh, I think I have a recipe for Lavender icecream? I will have a look and let you know.xx
Thank you! 🙂
These look gorgeous! love your blog 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
Wow! Love the sound of these 🙂
these look wonderful! I’ve never worked with lavender and it sounds amazing to infuse lavender with vanilla!
It was my first time using lavender, and as long as you go easy (it’s a robust flavour!) it gives a beautiful flavour, especially combined with the vanilla 🙂
looks delicious!
Thank you! I hope there are some left for valentine’s day 😉
Wow! These cookie sound so fancy and delucious!… I can’t recall ever sampling anything that included lavender. That really must be rectified 🙂