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. I 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