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

35 comments:

  1. Hey Lisa! Lavender is an odd ingredient, you either love it or hate it. Last year I made some Lavender Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies that turned out fabulous. I'm not sure if I like the cookies better with icing or jam...take a look! http://kendallandkeith.blogspot.com/2010/05/lavender-shortbread-cookies-two-ways.html

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  2. Lisa,
    Thank you so much for joining Meaningful Monday's at the Cottage!!! :) I love baking with lavender thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I will definitely be trying it out this week!!! I think we are going to be snowed in so this will be great to make with the family!!! :)

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  3. Mmmm! I made some honey lavender cookies one time and I just loved them! I am intrigued with the addition of the kosher salt in this recipe...might have to try it again this way! Thanks!

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  4. i really like the sound of these, i have yet to try baking with lavender.

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  5. Mmmmm, sounds good! My daughter actually went to a local lavender farm and bought some culinary lavender, so I just might try this, Lisa! I've made cupcakes, but not ice cream:)

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  6. Wow this does sound exotic! I love cooking with ingredients I rarely use, and putting them in a baked good is always a great way to introduce them to others!

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  7. These would be perfect for a ladies lunch or tea I think :) As far as the ice cream goes I'd steep the lavender in the hot cream/milk mixture then strain it out (or put it in a herb bag, either way) so you'd get the lavender essence in the ice cream. that sounds good, actually :)

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  8. Looks wonderful! We would love for you to link up to THIS WEEKS CRAVINGS: Super Bowl Potluck Ideas

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-14-and.html

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  9. They look absolutely lovely. I haven't bake anything with lavender yet but always wanted to try. These could be my first recipe to use lavender. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Delicious! I love shortbread and lavender flavored sounds amazing!

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  11. I've never baked anything with lavender before. This sounds like it'd be perfect with tea and tiny sandwiches. :) I hope you find a recipe for the ice cream!

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  12. This looks so unique and good! I've never done anything with lavender before.

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  13. Sounds interesting..I have never tried it!

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  14. What a unique idea. I think I would love that combination of flavors - and who doesn't love shortbread? :)

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  15. these sound so interesting, but i don't know... i think they might be a little too floral for my personal taste. but i know my mom would love them.

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  16. My daughter would call this shortbread "fancy." Sounds fabulous! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  17. First time to visit you here, i love your recipe and would try to make one for my kids. Happy blogging.

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  18. This looks intresting Lisa. Being an Asian myself, I love these ingrediants. Let me try it!

    Happy 2 follow you
    http://discoverlifestyle.blogspot.com/

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  19. I really enjoy sweet with salt and am dying to try cooking with lavender, lovely recipe!

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  20. This looks fabulous!! I am stopping by from Tasty Tuesday!

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  21. Surprisingly, I've never made or eaten anything lavender before..it sounds like it'd be so fresh and delicious though, so I'll have to give it a try sometime in the near future. Your shortbread just sounds divine!

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  22. Lavendar is something I have never tried. From your comments and others I have heard it is incredible. The shortbread looks so delicious! Just wanted to also inform you of a Culinary Smackdown Battle I am hosting. If interested please check it out: http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/01/culinary-smackdown-battle-hand-held.html

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  23. I've never had/tried/eaten lavendar and I'm afraid it's something I cannot buy in my country. So I'm just looking at your gorgeous (love the heart) photo of lavendar shortbread and dreaming of finding lavendar in our local store :) Btw I love the classic shortbread so I bet this one must be even better!

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  24. I've definitely been meaning to experiment more with lavender and this shortbread seems like a delicious way to do it!

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  25. Wow this looks and sounds amazing, I haven't done much cooking with lavender at all, can you buy it in the store?

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  26. Realmente o teu shortbread parece extraordinário!
    Eu nunca fiz nada com lavanda também e não sei se é fácil de achar no Brasil, mas seu um dia eu ac har já sei que receita fazer!

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  27. I love lavender in dishes! This looks great and I will be trying soon!

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  28. I recently discovered how much I love lavender! This is lovely! I like the salt in it too for a bit of sweet and savory.

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  29. what an awesome flavor combination! love this, and love your blog! thanks for posting, and for using lavender! always a fave ;)
    -meg
    @ http://www.clutzycooking.blogspot.com
    @
    http://www.myscribblednotebook.blogspot.com

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  30. Oh yeah I can see how these would be delicious! Thanks so much for linking up to Just Another Meatless Monday.

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  31. Yum! I love shortbread, and the combination of honey and lavander that you have added to it sounds heavenly!

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  32. you are my hero! i have been looking for a recipe for lavender shortbread for a few years now, after trying it in paris. i am so so excited! thank you for sharing with tuesday night supper club!

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  33. What a delicious spread of sweet treats!! I wish I had something I could add but I don't even have a kitchen to right now (under renovation). I do hope you will bring over some of your goodies tomorrow for our Tailgating Time Super Bowl party. There's no limit to your links and I will also be posting the code at 11am if you'd like to be one of the hosts of the Super Bowl Party blog hop! Hope to see you there! :-)

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  34. Thank you so much for linking up at Sweet Treat Saturday! I hope you join us again Friday

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