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Monday, January 31, 2011

Salted Honey Lavender Shortbread


I've been wanting to try this shortbread recipe for some time. It just seemed so interesting and, I don't know, a little exotic perhaps? Okay, maybe exotic's not quite the word I'm looking for . . . unique --- well, I'm sure you know what I mean. It's just that lavender is not one of those ingredients that usually makes an appearance in the food at our house. I think my family is still trying to decide whether they actually like the taste of it or not, as it does take a little getting used to.

But, there just happened to be a pack of lavender in our house this time when I went home. Why? Well, you'll probably laugh, but here's the story. Have you ever seen the movie, "It's Complicated?" It just so happens that this is one of my mom's all-time favorite movies. In the movie is a scene where the characters played by Meryl Streep and Steve Martin are having dinner at her house. For dessert, she made lavender ice cream. Once my mom heard the words "lavender ice cream" and saw how blissful Alec Baldwin's character was eating it, she couldn't get the idea out of her head. Naturally, she then wanted me to make it. I still haven't gotten around to that just yet though I did buy the lavender, just in case. If any of you do know of a good recipe for lavender ice cream, please by all means share it with me. My mom will thank you.

Okay, back to the shortbread. It is definitely not your average shortbread. The lavender flavor was nice and subtle, giving the cookie a bit of something flowery and tasteful without overpowering it. The salt is also absolutely necessary as it helps to bring everything together and make it all pop. Overall, I was really pleased with how they turned out and would recommend them if you want something extraordinary. There. That's the word I needed.

Salted Honey Lavender Shortbread
(Evil Shenanigans)

7 1/4 ounces (2 1/2 cups) all purpose flour
5/8 ounce (2 tablespoons) corn starch
2 1/4 ounces (1/3 cup) sugar
6 1/2 ounces (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons good quality honey (lavender preferred)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lavender
1/2 teaspoon flake sea salt, or to taste

Heat the oven to 350F and spray an 8x8" pan with non-stick spray, line with parchment paper leaving a three inch overhang on either side, and spray the parchment.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flour, sugar, cornstarch, honey, kosher salt, vanilla, lavender, and butter. Blend on low speed until well mixed and smooth.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Dock the top well with a fork, making sure not to press the fork completely through the dough.

Bake for 35-40 min., or until the center of the cookies feels firm when lightly pressed and they are golden brown all over. Allow the cookies to cool 5 min., then evenly sprinkle the tops with sea salt. Allow to cool for an additional 30 min. in the pan.

using the parchment overhang, lift the shortbread from the pan. With a sharp knife, cut into 16 squares. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Notes:
  1. I made half a batch of these cookies and baked them in a pie tin. It yielded 8 wedges.
  2. The flavor of the cookies became even better the next day, so I would recommend that you wait before eating them, if you can.
This recipe is linked to:
Cottage Homestead's Meaningful Mondays
My Sweet and Savory's Meatless Mondays
Midnight Maniac's Meatless Mondays
Just Another Meatless Monday
Mouthwatering Monday
Homemaker Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesday Night Supper Club
Sweet Treat Saturday

Friday, January 28, 2011

Sweets for a Saturday #2

Last week's Sweets for a Saturday #1 was a smashing success! Are you ready for this? There were 166 different treats to peruse and crave. 166!! Thank you so much to all of you who came by and linked up your delicious creations. Your support just absolutely warmed my heart and made me smile. I hope you'll be able to keep coming back. These are just a few of the many fantastic treats from last week that caught my eye:

Toll House Pie - picture courtesy of Apples and Twinkies

Cinnamon Roll Cupcake - picture courtesy of Food, Folks, and Fun


Candy Owls - picture courtesy of Munchkin Munchies

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies - picture courtesy of Sand & Sisal

Snowball Cookie Pops - picture courtesy of Purple Chocolat Home

In other news this week, I now have a button for this linky party. You can find it below or in my sidebar. Isn't it cute? It's actually a picture of a cookie that my younger sister cut out and decorated to look exactly like her stuffed animal, Plumpy. I encourage you to grab the button and add it to your post.

Keep the treats coming! I can't wait to see what you make.

The Rules:
  1. Please leave a link back to this post in your post or Grab My Button.
  2. Share your delicious sweets from this week. If you've made more than one during the week, feel free to link them all up.
  3. Leave me a comment telling me that you've linked up.
  4. Please visit at least two others and comment on their wonderful additions to this party.



SweetasSugarCookies















This linky list is now closed.