Lemon Lavender Shortbread

As you're aware, I love lemon. And lavender. Especially together!

An edit from my photo class!

My roommates happen to love this delicious combination as well, so whenever I make some kind of Lem-Lav cookie (like that abbreviation? All me! haha), they get gobbled up right away! 

I've been madly studying for my Primatology test (which is tomorrow!) so I definitely needed a baking break!

These are super easy, and very Spring-y, so give them a go!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Zest of 2 lemons, divided
1/2 t. lavender buds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add the butter, powdered sugar, zest of 1 lemon, lavender, vanilla, and salt to a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the flour, and beat until a dough is formed. This takes about 5 minutes if you're using a hand mixer, so don't be alarmed that your dough starts out looking like sand.
3. In a small bowl, combine the remaining lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Rub the zest into the sugar until fragrant.
4. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle 3/4 of the lemon sugar on top (you will use the remaining 1/4 of the lemon sugar in the same fashion when you re-roll the shortbread dough), and gently press it into the dough with the rolling pin. I then used a knife to cut pieces, because honestly, you're just going to eat these up right out of the oven! But you could cut them with a circle biscuit cutter if it pleases you...
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, and cool completely on the cookie sheet.  
6. After they're cooled, I made a quick lemon glaze: lemon juice, zest, powdered sugar and a pinch of lavender. I don't have any exact amounts, but when it gets 'glazy' it's probably done!!


Recipe adapted from A Bitchin' Kitchen, which is a fantastic blog name, huh?!

Well anyway, these are very good, and eating these makes me feel like it's spring! (Even though I live in the land of constant rain) Hopefully the Farmer's Market starts up soon, so I can get some frest lavender up in here! 

But for now, I best be gettin' back to memorizing the taxonomic names of New and Old World Monkeys.

 Peace Out, homies.

Vis Ses,
Holly

My Sister is in Hawaii right now.
LUCKY.