What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Luscious Lavender Puff Cookies! Before we begin, let me assure you, baking the cookies for 45 minutes per batch, IS NOT a misprint. Dried lavender buds as well as lavender extract can be found at farmers markets, organic health food stores, or your local co-op. (I went one step further and made my own lavender extract from dried buds, which took longer to ferment.) I also have the convenience of a nearby Amish community as a resource for dried herbs and spices. These cookies are definitely worth the effort. Put on a pot of coffee or tea…. and enjoy!

LUSCIOUS LAVENDER PUFF COOKIES

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

5 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon lavender buds

1 teaspoon lemon citrus peel, granulated

1 teaspoon lavender extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

3/4 cup pecans, chopped

2 cups flour

Powdered Sugar for rolling

Lavender buds for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300°. Beat butter until soft.  Crush lavender buds in sugar using a mortar and pestle; then combine sugared lavender buds with butter.  Blend until creamy.  Mix in citrus peel, lavender extract, and lemon extract.  Add pecans, flour, and salt to butter mixture. Combine thoroughly.  Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 45 minutes or until set, but not brown.  Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar to coat when cookies are still slightly warm. Sprinkle with dried lavender buds. Cool completely on wire rack.