Being in the kitchen making all those holiday goodies brings back memories from when I was a child. I don't think my mild sweet tooth can handle shortbread, gingerbread, and even those little marshmallow squares.
The one nice thing about baking is exploring new things and adding a little twist. Here at Hereward Farms, we are happy to bring you culinary lavender that you can basically add to any recipe to change it up.
We have brought you three recipes that have come from staff and clients, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do! (One is even gluten-free!!!)
Shelley's Lavender Shortbread
These lavender shortbread cookies are buttery and just perfectly sweet, with a touch of lavender.
Makes 24 cookies. Prep time 10 minutes. Cook time 25 minutes
Ingredients:
3 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
3/4 pound salted butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3.5 cups of flour
Instructions
Grind lavender up finely using a mortar and pestle or lightly crush lavender.
Mix the butter, sugar, and lavender together until combined and spread around the bowl.
Add the vanilla and just mix until it disappears.
Add flour to the bowl and mix together until the dough ball forms.
Roll the dough on a baking mat about 1/2" thick, then cut desired shapes.
Place the cookies on a sheet tray, and refrigerate for 1 hour until cold and firm to the touch.
Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden brown at the edges.
Let the cookies cool to room temperature, and enjoy!
For a little twist, add lemon grind and the juice of one lemon. Delicious!
Nicole's Lavender Gluten-Free Cookies
Okay, these are to die for and not only have our lavender in them, but they also have Landman Garden and Bakery Blueberry + Lavender Jam (which is made with our lavender) - double win!
Nicole is a longtime client of ours, and she provided us with this delicious recipe.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of almond flour
3 tablespoons of maple syrup
3 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon maple extract
Hereward Farms Lavender for topping
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients until combined
form small balls (approx a teaspoon) and drop onto a baking sheet
Press down with your thumb and add a dollop of Hereward Farms Lavender + Blueberry Jam.
Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, until the cookies are light and golden.
Remove from oven and top with a sprinkle of Hereward Farms lavender buds (go easy here)
Let the cookies cool to room temperature, and enjoy!
MULLED LAVENDER Wine
This mulled lavender wine drink was such a hit at our annual Sip + Shop that we had to share it! Don't be afraid of the lavender in this drink - it truly does complement the recipe.
Ingredients:
1 orange
1/2 cup of sugar
2 - 3 cinnamon sticks
6 - 8 cloves
1 bottle of red wine
1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of culinary Hereward Farms lavender
Instructions:
Slice orange into thin little slices
Mix all ingredients in a crock pot
Cover and turn the crock pot on for 2 to 4 hours
Serve and enjoy!
If you are looking for our Blueberry + Lavender Jam featured in this recipe (it is so good even just on toast and pancakes - we promise). Our Culinary lavender can be found here.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours, and here's to an amazing 2023!
Much love + kindness
Julie