Okay…butter, sugar, flour…now, dear belles, how can this combination NOT be amazingly belle-icious?!

These simple ingredients marry-up to create one of our very favorite creations…shortbread in all it’s glory. We have long held a fascination for this divine little nibble, but our interest was recently piqued by a fellow belle who has created quite a stir with her tea cookies in two unusual, yet belle-icious flavors…Lavender and Orange-Cardamom. They are 100% to die for! One might purchase them at Savvy (among other retail establishments)…or one might check out her website, Carolina Girl Cooks, to place an order online. Either way…these are a must-try!

Now, being curious little belles, and having a constant hankering to do some experimenting in our own kitchens, we decided to try our own hands at some creative shortbread. We must say…it was totally worth the effort!! Here’s what we created…

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 c powdered
1 tbsp lavender buds
Zest of 1 lemon
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 t vanilla extract
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 t kosher salt
Course sugar for garnish

In food processor, combine powdered sugar, lavender, and lemon zest.  Pulse to combine and break up Lavender buds…

Add butter and vanilla.  Process until well-combined.  Then add salt and flour.  Process just until combined…don’t over-process.

Turn dough out onto parchment or waxed paper and roll into a log.  At this point, we roll the dough up in the paper and usually cut in half or thirds to store in a zip-loc bag.  Refrigerate several hours…or even a couple of days.

When ready to bake, cut into 1/4 inch cookies, place on ungreased cookie sheet, and sprinkle each cookie with just a bit of the course sugar

Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes.

Allow to cool completely on a rack, then devour…or package them up for friends…

Savory, crispy, buttery, slightly sweet perfection!

a&a