These lavender cookies are a sweet treat that smells like a flower garden! With a hint of lavender, they are soft, buttery, and perfect for tea time or snacking anytime.
Every time I bake these, my house smells amazing! Plus, they’re fun to make with kids—just watch them giggle over the purple sugar sprinkles! 🥰
I love serving these cookies with a cup of herbal tea. They add a lovely touch to any gathering, making everyone smile with their unique flavor!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is a staple in baking, helping create the right texture for cookies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which works surprisingly well in cookies.
Granulated Sugar: It’s essential for sweetness and helps cookies spread. For a lower-calorie version, consider using coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like erythritol, but be aware it may alter the cookie’s texture slightly.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives control over salt levels. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine, but I prefer real butter for its flavor. Vegan buttery sticks are also a good option for a dairy-free version.
Dried Culinary Lavender: This ingredient brings a lovely floral note. If you can’t find it, swap it with another herb like dried chamomile or try a bit of lemon zest for a fresh twist. However, don’t skip out on the lavender if you can help it!
Powdered Sugar: This sugar helps create a smoother texture in the cookie dough. You could use a homemade version by blending granulated sugar until fine if you run out.
How Do You Get the Cookies to Hold Their Shape?
The key to ensuring your cookies maintain their shape lies in chilling the dough. Shaping the dough into a log and refrigerating it solidifies the fat in the butter, which prevents spreading during baking.
- Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap to avoid drying out.
- Refrigerating for at least 2 hours is crucial; overnight is even better if you have the time.
- When slicing the dough, use a sharp knife for clean cuts, which helps keep the edges neat.
By following this tip, your lavender cookies will bake beautifully and stand out with their charming round shape!
How to Make Lavender Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Rolling:
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time, plus 2 hours for chilling the dough. You’ll then need about 12-15 minutes for baking. So, overall, you’ll be looking at around 2 hours and 30 minutes to make these lovely lavender cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step is important to get your cookies nice and airy!
2. Adding the Egg and Vanilla:
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to your creamed mixture. Beat this well until everything is combined and smooth. You want those flavors to meld together perfectly!
3. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dried lavender, and salt. This will help to distribute the lavender evenly throughout the cookies, giving them that wonderful fragrance.
4. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture. Mix gently until everything is just combined to form a soft dough. Don’t overmix, as this can make your cookies tough. They should be soft and a bit sticky.
5. Shaping the Dough:
Now it’s time to shape your dough! Turn it out onto a clean surface and form it into a log, about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until it’s nice and firm.
6. Preheating and Preparing to Bake:
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking.
7. Slicing the Cookies:
Once the dough has chilled and is firm, take it out of the refrigerator. Use a sharp knife to slice the dough into ¼-inch thick rounds. Each slice will be a cookie!
8. Rolling in Sugar:
For a sweet touch, roll the edges of each cookie slice in extra granulated sugar. This not only looks pretty but adds an extra burst of sweetness with every bite.
9. Baking the Cookies:
Place the sugar-coated cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one to allow for spreading. Bake them in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
10. Cooling:
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is essential to maintain their soft texture.
11. Enjoy Your Cookies:
Once the cookies are cool, it’s time to enjoy them! These fragrant lavender cookies are perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself. Enjoy the unique flavor!
Can I Use Fresh Lavender Instead of Dried?
While fresh lavender can be used, it’s important to remember that fresh herbs are more potent than dried ones. You would need to use about three times the amount of fresh lavender to achieve a similar flavor. Chop the fresh lavender finely and add it directly to your dough as you would dried lavender.
What If I Don’t Have Unsalted Butter?
No problem! You can use salted butter instead. Just omit the additional salt in the recipe to maintain the right balance of flavors. The cookies will still turn out delicious!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to stay fresher for longer, you can also freeze them! Just make sure to place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Can I Make the Dough in Advance?
Absolutely! You can make the dough a day ahead. Simply shape it into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. For longer storage, you can freeze the log for up to three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before slicing and baking!
