Lavender Orange Shortbread (w/Virgin Olive Oil)- Tea Party!

Here’s a streamlined shortbread recipe, unique and full of flavor. Change it up by using toasted fennel seeds in place of the lavender flowers, or dip half the cookie into melted chocolate…

Makes almost 2 dozen cookies.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 stick butter (1/2 c.), room temperature
• 1/4 tsp. salt, as desired (especially if using unsalted butter)
• 1/4 c. virgin olive oil (“blood orange-infused”, if you have it)
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. orange extract
• 2 c. flour
• 1 TBS. dried lavender flowers*
• zest of one orange (blood orange if available)

PREPARATION

1. Beat the first five ingredients until light and creamy: > 1 stick butter > 1/4 tsp. salt > 1/4 c. virgin olive oil > 1/4 c. sugar > 1/2 tsp. orange extract

2. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring together until just blended: > 2 c. flour > 1 TBS. dried lavender flowers* > zest of one orange

3. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 6” log or square-shaped cylinder; wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or more. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap and cut each log into 1/4″ to 1/3” thick slices. Place on baking sheet, bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes or so. Let cool, serve with coffee or tea!

* Make your own “dried lavender flowers” by removing blossoms from some fresh lavender. Set on paper towel and microwave on lowest power setting, for a few minutes, until dry. Or, wrap string around a lavender bouquet, hanging upside-down for a few days to air-dry, removing dried blossoms afterward.