Easy Glazed Shortbread Lavender Cookie Recipe

Q: Can lavender extract be used to make lavender cookies?

Though I have never tried it, I would add 1 teaspoon of lavender extract to the cookie dough and be sure not to add vanilla. In this case, just use sugar that hasn't been blended with lavender.

Q: Can lavender cookies be made with lavender syrup?

I would use lavender syrup in drinks but not in cookies.

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With fresh lavender from my garden I decided to make this simple lavender cookie recipe. If you love shortbread and you love lavender you will love these lavender sugar cookies, loaded with lavender flavor.

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I made this lavender cookie recipe a few years ago for Zoe’s bridal shower.

They were a hit. Not just pretty, these buttery shortbread cookies with homemade lavender sugar, taste exqusite.

The simple glaze makes them quite decorative so often I package them up for hostess gifts.

I love shortbread cookies for their buttery flavor and crumbly texture. Shortbread is so adaptable to many flavors.

Lavender is easy to grow here in Colorado so I am always looking for ways to use it,

Making lavender sugar and lavender syrup are two ways to preserve my harvest. If you don’t grow lavender, no worries.

Just buy culinary lavender and you are set for any recipe requiring lavender.

lavender cookie recipe on wire rack with vase of flowers

Why I Love Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Besides the fact that it’s cool to say I grow my own lavender, the real truth is these cookies are just SO GOOD!

I love this lavender cookies recipe as written, but you may want to make these lavender lemon cookies and that’s OK, too!

(Did I ever mention that I’m not a huge fan of lemon in desserts?)

With just 4 main ingredients, you have the best cookies ever.

And they are so simple to make!

If you’ve never tried lavender, go buy yourself a lavender latte and tell me how good it is.

Now have it with this cookie with floral flavor and you will be planting lavender next year!

FAQ’s

Can lavender extract be used to make lavender cookies?

Though I have never tried it, I would add 1 teaspoon of lavender extract to the cookie dough and be sure not to add vanilla. In this case, just use sugar that hasn’t been blended with lavender.

Can lavender cookies be made with lavender syrup?

I would use lavender syrup in drinks but not in cookies.

Plus lavender makes everything smell so fresh and clean!

And it keeps away mosquitos!

And who doesn’t think that lavender flowers are just the sweetest things ever?

lavender cookies recipe with fresh lavender and green vase

Sugar

Fresh or dried lavender buds

Unsalted butter: At room temperature

All-purpose flour

Optional: Lemon zest if you want lemon lavender cookies and vanilla extract if you love vanilla. (I love vanilla but don’t feel it is necessary in this cookie.)

Powdered Sugar

lavender cookie recipe with sprig of lavender

In a food processor or spice grinder combine sugar and lavender buds.

If you are using dried lavender you will use less. (See recipe for measurements)

Process until everything is combined well and the lavender is in tiny pieces.

Pour the lavender sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and add the softened butter.

Beat at low speed until smooth, scraping bowl as needed.

Add the flour and beat on low speed until combined, then turn up to a higher speed and beat until no visible lumps of butter remain in the mixture.

Form the dough into a long roll and place in plastic wrap to chill for about 30 minutes.

(I have left the dough as long as a week chilling, but it takes much longer then, for it to come to room temperature.)

If you wish to cut the shortbread into shapes, then instead of forming the cookie dough into a long cylinder, form it into a disk.

When ready, roll out into a 1/4″ circle on a floured surface, and use your favorite cookie cutter to cut into shapes before placing on prepared baking sheet.

Be sure to place in fridge for about 30 minutes to harden before baking, otherwise the cookie dough may spread and lose its shape.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 300.

If you shaped the dough into a cylinder, slice the cookie dough into 1/4″ slices and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

If the cookies still seem somewhat chilled they can be placed directly into the preheated oven.

If they tend to look soft, then place back into the refrigerator to firm up before placing in oven.

Bake until the bottoms begin to turn slightly golden brown, about 25-30 minutes and let cool on a wire rack.

Make The Glaze:

While cookies are baking make the glaze by combining the powdered sugar/icing sugar with water or use lemon juice if you prefer more of a lemon glaze.

I actually added a few drops of lavender bitters to my glaze and it was delicious.

Once cookies are cool drizzle with glaze and let them sit until they harden.

You may want to drop a sprinkle of lavender buds on each cookie before the glaze hardens to make them extra beautiful!

I have also been known to tint the glaze with a tiny bit of purple food coloring.

If you made these as lavender lemon sugar cookies, give them a sprinkle of lemon zest if you desire.

Once the glaze has set, place them in an airtight container.

They can be frozen as is, or frozen before glazing.

Frankly, they keep a few weeks in a ziplock bag and still taste amazing!