Name: Lavender Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender (lightly crushed); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon salt

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If you’ve never tasted the whimsy of tiny lavender blossoms mingled with the indulgent crumb of classic shortbread, you’re in for the dreamiest treat! These Lavender Shortbread Cookies offer a buttery bite that’s sweet, floral, and absolutely irresistible. They’re surprisingly simple to whip up but will look like you spent hours crafting them. Perfect for a quiet afternoon tea, a springtime gathering, or anytime you want to elevate your cookie experience, this recipe will make you fall in love with baking all over again.

Lavender Shortbread Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these cookies is truly in their simplicity. Just a handful of staple ingredients—each chosen with care—comes together to create a remarkable flavor and texture. Every element plays its part, from the floral burst of lavender to the creamy richness of real butter.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The base of our cookies, lending a rich and tender crumb—you’ll want to use room temperature for easy mixing.
Powdered sugar (½ cup): This gives a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and dissolves perfectly into the dough for a fine texture.
All-purpose flour (2 cups): Flour holds everything together and helps the cookies keep their lovely shortbread snap.
Dried culinary lavender (1 tablespoon, lightly crushed): Be sure to choose culinary-grade lavender; it provides the signature aroma and delicate floral flavor.
Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Just a splash deepens the overall flavor and pairs beautifully with the lavender.
Salt (¼ teaspoon): A small amount brings all the flavors into perfect balance and enhances the buttery richness.

How to Make Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures that your Lavender Shortbread Cookies bake evenly, with golden bottoms and absolutely no sticking when you’re ready to lift them to the cooling rack.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together your softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Beat them for several minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy—this aeration makes for an exceptionally tender cookie. Add in your vanilla extract and give it a quick blend to bring the base together.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and that all-important crushed culinary lavender. Crushing the lavender lightly releases its essential oils, infusing every bite of your cookies with floral fragrance and flavor while preventing any overpowering bursts in the final product.

Step 4: Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your creamed butter mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly—overmixing can make shortbread tough, so just blend until a soft, cohesive dough forms. If it feels a bit crumbly at first, keep pressing it together with your hands and watch as it transforms into the perfect dough.

Step 5: Roll and Cut Out Cookies

Dust your work surface with a little flour and turn out the dough. Roll it to about ¼ inch thickness, which gives the finished cookies that perfect proportion of crisp and tender. Grab your favorite cookie cutter shapes—classic rounds or dainty scalloped edges both look gorgeous with flecks of lavender throughout. Place your cut cookies about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep a close eye: they’re ready when the edges just start to turn golden. This gentle bake preserves the delicate flavor of the lavender and ensures the cookies stay wonderfully tender. Let them cool for a few minutes on the pan before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Garnishes

To make your Lavender Shortbread Cookies extra enchanting, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar once they’ve cooled—this brings a soft, snowy finish and a hint more sweetness. For special occasions, you can even sprinkle a pinch more dried lavender or add edible flowers for a stunning presentation.

Side Dishes

These cookies just love to be the star of an afternoon tea menu. Pair them with a pot of Earl Grey, chamomile, or jasmine tea—each plays up the floral notes beautifully. For a bolder contrast, try them alongside dark-roast coffee, finishing a meal with poise, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elegant dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Lavender Shortbread Cookies on a vintage cake stand or a rustic wooden board for that charming, inviting vibe. They also make heartfelt gifts: stack a few cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a purple ribbon, or tuck them in a pretty tin with a sprig of dried lavender on top. Guests will swoon over the thoughtful, homemade touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Lavender Shortbread Cookies perfectly crisp by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to one week—and trust me, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

Want to bake ahead? These cookies freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll happily wait for you for up to two months—simply bring to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you long for that just-baked aroma, a quick refresh in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about five minutes will revive their delicate texture. Just let them cool slightly before indulging; the floral scent will be even more prominent.

FAQs

What kind of lavender is safe to use for baking?

Always use culinary-grade dried lavender—never decorative or garden lavender, which can be treated with chemicals or carry bitter flavors. Culinary lavender is grown specifically for safe consumption and has a pleasant, sweet profile ideal for cookies.

Can I make Lavender Shortbread Cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1-for-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just keep an eye on the dough texture and add a touch more flour if needed to keep it from getting too sticky.

How strong is the flavor of lavender in these cookies?

Lavender adds a subtle, aromatic note—they’re not perfumey or overpowering. If you’d love a bolder floral taste, add up to 1½ tablespoons of lavender, but for most palates, 1 tablespoon gives just the right hint.

Can I shape the dough into a log and slice instead of using a cookie cutter?

Yes! Roll your dough into a log, wrap in plastic, and chill thoroughly. Then slice into ¼-inch rounds and bake as directed. This method is a great time-saver and gives you perfect circles every time.

Do Lavender Shortbread Cookies make good gifts?

They make simply gorgeous gifts! Their charming appearance and delicate taste make them crowd-pleasers for host gifts, holiday tins, or even bridal showers. Just be sure to package them well to preserve their shape and flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s something genuinely magical about sharing Lavender Shortbread Cookies with people you love. Each bite feels special—like a tiny taste of spring captured in buttery shortbread. Take a little time to try this recipe and you’ll have a new favorite to revisit again and again!

Lavender Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight your senses with these delicate Lavender Shortbread Cookies. The subtle floral notes of culinary lavender combined with buttery shortbread create a truly exquisite treat that is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender (lightly crushed)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and crushed dried lavender.
Combine ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick.
Cut into shapes: Use a cookie cutter to cut into desired shapes and place cookies on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
Cool and serve: Allow to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.