Lavender Shortbread Cookies Recipe

1 tbl. Fresh chopped lavender flowers or 1 tbl. Dried chopped lavender flowers
1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. Pure lavender extract
2 sticks butter, unsalted at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 cups all purpose flour
Lavender infused sanding sugar

Method of Preparation
*** If using dried lavender flowers, add the vanilla and lavender extracts and put to one side.
1. Place the room temperature butter into the bowl of a heavy duty stand mixer and add powdered sugar. Using the flat beater on low speed, beat until well combined. Add salt, lavender and extracts and beat until light and fluffy.
2. Add the flour and mix on slow speed until just combined.
3. Scrape the shortbread out of the mixer bowl onto a piece of parchment or wax paper and wrap the paper around the dough and place into zip-lock and place in refrigerator to chill for 2 to 3 hours.
4. When ready to bake cookies, remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly knead the cookie dough on floured work surface and roll out to approximately 1/3 inch thick and cut out using a 2" round cookie cutter. Carefully place cookies onto a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
5. Sprinkle cookies with lavender infused sanding sugar and bake for 12-13 minutes or until the base edge of the cookie becomes very light golden brown, but the top will still be very pale.(it took 20 min. In my oven)
6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle again with the lavender infused sanding sugar. Cool 3-4 minutes.

Important Notes:
Lavender infused sanding sugar can be made by taking white (or colored) sanding sugar and pouring into a zip-lock plastic bag with the fresh or dried lavender. Close and microwave for 30 seconds. once infused, sift the sugar to remove the lavender leaves.

Culinary dried lavender can be purchased at many specialty food stores or online.

Fresh lavender can be picked and dried or used fresh.