These rich and buttery Lavender Shortbread Cookies are a delicious treat for those who like lavender. Wanna something extra? Add a handful of white chocolate chips!
This post was originally published in June 2015.I have taken and uploaded new photos and altered the recipe, but the main blog post remain unchanged.
We have recently been to Montreal, Quebec. Hold on! Is it correctly to say “recently” if that happened almost a month ago? Well. Never mind!
It was our second trip to this enchanting city. The first one wasn’t completely successful due to our strange planning. We had it last year in the mid of April when it wasn’t winter already, but it wasn’t spring either. It was quite chilly and gloomy, with small oases of snow. We weren’t any upset since the city was still beautiful and we knew we would be back later one. It’s being said the perfect time to visit Montreal, is May or September.
May? Why not! Even though we had been visiting Ottawa in May for the last two years (which is gorgeous in May because of blooming tulips), that time we opted for Montreal.
The trip turned out great and almost immaculate. Well, except a few weather issues but I won’t sound too grumpy. All Montreal’s blossoming gardens and parks made me super excited. Perhaps, I had never seen so many lilac trees in one area before or at least I hadn’t seen so many lilac species gathered together. All those fragrances were just breathtaking…I almost got a dizziness – pleasant kind of it.
Never ever have been I impressed with the gardens more than with the architecture, and never ever have I taken more snaps of the plants than the buildings.
I think if I were able to extract the lilac essence, you would have probably seen a lilac recipe today. But as you can see, I never succeed. But that trip inspired me to make something scrumptious anyways.
I didn’t know until now there are the lavender farms in Quebec, and thus you can buy everything lavender – from cosmetics to candy. I was lucky to have tried a Lavender Shortbread Cookies in one cozy cafe. As you may know, I’ve been incorporating lavender in many ways, including cookies, and I anticipated that one would be delicious. I was so wrong! It was yumalicious and just melt-in-your-mouth! I paired lavender and chocolate before, but it had always been dark chocolate. And I’m not going to lie – white chocolate elevates lavender flavor up to the next, more sophisticated and whimsical level. I don’t now how this works, but it does.
As soon as I had the very first crumb piece of that phenomenal cookie, I knew I would make them at home.
Needless to say that really happened, and you’ve got the evidence.
My version of the cookies turned out to be a bit different but still very delicious. I run out of lavender extract, and I wasn’t brave enough to use a bottle of lavender oil I had bought in Montreal. So I decided on using dried lavender which I had got in the trip as well. That’s why the cookies had a very delicate, almost subtle, flavor. But lavender could easily be overpowering so, in my book, it’s always better have a little but palatable flavor. You can freely experiment with its amount.
Thanks, Montreal, for inspiring me! Even though I’ve been in love with lavender for a while, you renewed our relationship, and now you’re going to see a lot of lavender things.
Everything lavender:)
And I’ve got now a new dream – to visit Quebec in the mid of summer to see its lavender fields. That must be spectacular!
And dear readers, if you have any complaints about me posting too many lavender recipes, you know where you could send your complaints:)
Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Notes
havocinthekitchen.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cake or all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2/3 cup of yellow or golden sugar
- pinch of salt
- 150 gr. unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 teaspoons dried lavender + additional if desired
- white chocolate chunks (optional, if desired)
Instructions
- Combine the flour, corn starch, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Stir in the melted butter, vanilla extract and mix to incorporate.
- Crush the lavender between your fingers and add into the dough.
- Stir in the white chocolate chips if using.
- Chill the dough for an hour or longer.
- Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C (375 degrees F). Cover baking trays with parchment.
- Roll the dough put and cut the cookies. You can also scoop out some dough and shaping it into cookies on the baking tray. Sprinkle them with a little additional lavender if desired.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes depending on their size and desired texture (less for chewy cookies and longer for crispy).
- Remove from the oven. Let cool for 5 minutes then remove from the trays and cook completely.
- Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
You’re hilarious poking your head out from behind the lavender bush! These look so delicate and dried lavender sounds just adds to it. I’ve never been to Montreal, but it’s on my list.
Haha, thanks, Kevin! This snap really happened with no planning – we are just not get used to taking selfies, and some of them turn to be either weird or funny!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Mango Sauce Roasted Chicken Legs
I love Montreal, such a cool city.
And what about these cookies? Simply amazing. Loving the flavors you’ve got goin’ on!
Mike@TheIronYou recently posted…Easy Baked Parmesan Zucchini
Thanks, Mike!
Lovely story about Montreal stay, I wish I could also go there someday!:) And these cookies — they are just FABULOUS, and indeed yumalicious as you have said! I could simply smell the fragrance of lavender and I bet lavender and white chocolate must be a deadly combo! Loving it! :)
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Mushroom Pepper Pilaf With Grilled Veggies, Honey Mustard Yogurt And Chili Peanuts
Yup, white chocolate and lavender is a fabulous combo, and I’m going to share with one more idea featuring the both ingredients soon! But please – it’s just between us!:))
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Mango Sauce Roasted Chicken Legs
I think it’s totally fair game to say recently. I say recently even if it was 2 months ago!
Beth recently posted…Raspberry Jam Shortcake
That’s good to know, Beth. won’t be afraid anymore of using it!
I would love to visit Montreal someday. I’d also love to see Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. It is magnificent! I bet I can find some lavender there too! These lavender cookies look yumalicious, Ben! I have never had lavender baked goods, but I can almost taste how delicate and floral these cookies are. Nice photos too!
Thao @ In Good Flavor recently posted…Virgin Tropical Sangria
I haven’t been to British Columbia, but I would love to! Thanks, Thao, for all your kind words!
Lavender! Oh, Ben. You should rename this blog to Lavender Deliciousness. Haha! Just kidding. Your lavender recipes always sound so amazing. Plus, I loved the story about the trip to Montreal. My wife and I visited Montreal about 1.5 years back, and it was such an incredible trip. Old Town is such a wonderful place to just wander the streets and forget about everything but having fun and being present in the moment! Cheers, mate!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Maple Bourbon Ice Cream
Haha, I anticipated you would say that one day:) Yup, Montreal really is a lovely city. But I love even more Quebec-City – it’s just a quintessence of all the beautiful European architecture and its ambience. But…that’s our secret, okay? :)
Loving your lavendar recipes, Ben! If anyone has any complaints you can just send them to me. I will put them in their proper place! ;) These cookies sound amazing! I especially love that you used white chocolate- this means I can actually eat these! Yayyyy!!!! ♡ I have never been to Montreal, but I’ve heard its gorgeous. I’m so glad you and your man had a wonderful time! Love the last photo – such a cute couple. And you are a goof ball♡ I love it! Cheers, my friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Huli Huli Pork Ribs
Oh thanks, Chay for all you kind words and especially your suggestion to protect me from the complaints. I may have a lot of them soon haha;)
These cookies look fantastic! Wish I could eat one right now :) I went to Montreal for the first time last September and, just like you, experienced slight weather hiccups. It was freezing cold and lightly rained the whole time I was vising and on the day I left, it was 85 degrees! Oh well, I didn’t mind either because it is such a gorgeous and fun city.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After recently posted…Raspberry Lime Basil Gin Cocktail
Oh, thanks a lot, Karrie – just for you I’ve reserved one cookie:) That’s surprising to hear about September, but I still would love to stop by it in late September – beginning of October because all these fall colored trees must be spectacular!
I LOVE the dried lavender in these cookies!!! delicious!!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
Thanks, Alice!