Herb Cookies

Never thought about baking cookies with herbs? Well, you’re in for a real treat! These cookies are easy to make and tastes delicious.

I made Lavender cookies at an herb class I gave, and everyone loved them. Serve Rosemary or Sage cookies with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Rose Petal or Lavender cookies would be great for a ladies luncheon. Men would love spicy cookies with Allspice, Cinnamon, or Nutmeg. My husband loves Cayenne Pepper Cookies (add pepper to taste)! There are so many variations to this recipe, so have fun creating your own.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg white, beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh OR 1 teaspoon dry finely chopped herb
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 cup fine sanding sugar (opt.)

Directions

Mix butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in whole egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add flour, herb, and salt, and mix until combined.

Halve dough; shape each half into a log. Place each log on a sheet of parchment. Roll on parchment to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Then, roll the parchment around the log, place on cookie sheet, and freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Can be made a day ahead and leave in freeze until needed.

Preheat oven to 375. Unroll each log and brush with egg white; roll in sanding sugar (opt.). Cut into 1/4 inch rounds. Space 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. If desired, brush top of cookie and press herb into the top of cookie. I like to press the whole flower or leaf.

Bake until edges are golden, 18-20 minutes. Let cool on wire racks. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

Use this list of herbs and spices to choose from.

This is what I think they taste like, but of course, everyone taste things differently.

• Allspice – similar to cloves, but more pungent and deeply flavored
• Basil – robust licorice
• Cayenne Pepper – hot (add to taste)
• Caraway Seed – anise-tasting
• Celery Seed – celery, woodsy
• Chervil – delicate anise
• Chives – delicate onion
• Cilantro – pungent, herbaceous
• Cinnamon – both sweet and savory
• Cloves – sweet and warming
• Coriander Seed – earthy, lemony
• Cumin – smoky and earthy
• Dill – pungent herb
• Fennel Seed – lightly sweet and licorice
• Fenugreek – bitter, burnt sugar
• Garlic Powder – sweeter, softer garlic
• Ginger – spicy, zesty bite
• Lavender – herbaceous, woody
• Lemon Thyme – sweet and fresh lemon
• Lemon Balm – refreshing, bright and citrusy
• Lemongrass – lemon mint
• Marjoram – floral and woodsy
• Nutmeg – sweet and pungent
• Oregano – robust, somewhat lemony
• Parsley – light and grassy
• Peppermint and Spearmint – minty, intense
• Rose Petals – earthy and floral, with a slight sweetness
• Rosemary – strong and piney
• Sage – pine-like flavor, with more lemony and eucalyptus notes than rosemary
• Star Anise – sweet licorice
• Summer Savory – peppery green
• Tarragon – strong anise, licorice and vanilla
• Turmeric –  mild woodsy flavor
• Thyme – pungent, woodsy flavor