Recipe: Conifer + Lavender Shortbread

What comes to mind when you see the neon green springy growth at the end of a conifer tip each spring? For me, it's always shortbread cookies.

I love casually nibbling on this new growth as I walk along a trail. The texture is fascinating and reminds me of the Koosh balls that many of us owned in the '90s. The taste is an astringent burst of citrus flavor, and it's no coincidence that, like these fruits, it's packed with vitamin C. 

I first began making conifer tip shortbread in the spring of 2013, and it didn't take me long to start baking them regularly. I would bring them to parties and share them with coworkers. After a while I made some adjustments, including the addition of lavender. 

Over the years, this recipe has become a favorite of mine - a way to celebrate spring. I would say that it's a favorite in my household, but my husband still believes that a cookie without chocolate is seriously lacking. I have to disagree and find these to be absolutely lovely, especially with a hot cuppa something while watching the birds. 

Conifer Tip + Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup softened butter (12 Tbsp)

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 cup flour

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 1/4 cup chopped spring conifer tips (I use Fir or Spruce - or both!)

• 1 Tbsp chopped lavender (dried or fresh)

Instructions

• Beat the butter with a mixer until creamy

• Add the sugar and continue to mix

• Add the flour, cornstarch, conifer tips, and lavender - combine until well-mixed and crumbly

• With your hands, bring the mixture into a ball and put it back into the bowl

• Refrigerate for 1 hour

• Preheat the oven to 325

• Roll the dough out with a rolling pin - it may be sticky and helps to use flour or cornmeal on the countertop and rolling pin

• Roll the dough to be 1/2" thick, and using a jar, a glass, or a cookie-cutter, cut out your shortbread cookies

• Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and give them a good amount of space - they will expand

• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a bit golden around the edges

• Remove, and sprinkle with sugar

• They will be very soft at first, let them cool in order to set - enjoy!

  
  

  

  
  

  

  chopped fresh conifer tips and lavender