Orange Blossom Shortbread Cookies with Edible Flowers
I first made these orange blossom shortbread cookies last year, when my obsession with incorporating edible flowers into my baking was just beginning. A random internet search led to a recipe that looked promising. In my memory, that recipe was a recipe for “orange blossom shortbread cookies with edible flowers.” However, when I searched for the recipe again this year, I realized that the orange blossom water was actually my twist. The original recipe–by Meaghan Mountford for the Nielsen-Massey website–is actually “orange cookies with edible flowers,” and calls for orange extract, rather than orange blossom water. I’ve never actually made the original recipe. And the variation here is so sublime, I doubt I ever will.
One note: I think that Nielsen-Massey makes an extract labeled “orange blossom water.” That is not the orange blossom water called for below. For my recipe, you’ll need the clear orange blossom water used in Middle Eastern cooking, which I have found at Whole Foods and other specialty groceries. The kind that is packaged like an extract in a tiny bottle is too concentrated; its alcohol-base will overwhelm the cookies.
For the flowers, violas are my favorite, but foraged violets would work too. Basically, you can use any small edible flower that can be pressed flat.
Orange Blossom Shortbread Cookies with Edible Flowers
Adapted from Meaghen Mountford on the Nielsen-Massey website
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
- 320 g all-purpose flower
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 225 g unsalted butter
- 125 g powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
For the decoration:
- small edible flowers, such as violets or violas
- 1 egg white
- tiny drop orange blossom water (optional)
- granulated sugar
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
-
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Mix in the egg, then the vanilla extract and orange blossom water, scraping down the bowl. Finally, mix in the flour and salt.
-
Scrape the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Place another piece of plastic wrap on top, and roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the dough (still between the pieces of parchment or plastic wrap) to a large baking pan, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
-
Remove the dough from the refrigerator, take of the top piece of plastic wrap, and flip the dough onto a large piece of parchment laid out of the counter. Remove the second piece of plastic wrap, and roll the dough a bit thinner — to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch in thickness.
Transfer the dough, now on parchment, back to the baking sheet, and place in the freezer for 10 minutes, while you preheat the oven.
-
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
-
Remove the baking sheet with the dough from the freezer, and transfer the dough, on the parchment, to the counter. Use a 1.5-inch or 2-inch fluted round cookie cutter to cut out as many cookies as you can, transferring them to a baking sheet lined with a fresh piece of parchment paper. Re-roll the dough scraps, and continue cutting out cookies, popping the dough back in the freezer for a few minutes if it gets too soft.
-
Place the baking sheet with all the cut-out cookies back into the freezer for 5 minutes again–this will help the cookies keep their shape when they bake.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and a tiny drop of orange blossom water (if you wish).
-
Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Take one of your flowers, snip the stem off as close to the petals as you can, then lightly press the flower flat on top of a cookie. (If the petals fall apart, just rearrange them on top of the cookie.) Brush some of the egg white mixture over the the flower, then sprinkle on some granulated sugar. Repeat with the remaining cookies and flowers.
-
Bake the cookies for 10-14 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn light brown. (The exact baking time will depend on your oven, and the size and thickness of your cookies).
-
Allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to fully cool.
-
The cookies will keep at room temperature in an air-tight container for at least 4-5 days, and can be kept well-wrapped in the freezer for much longer.
More cooking with flowers please:-) I’m another flower- baker/ chef and I’m in the DC area too. If you ever find a local place to source edible lilacs, please let me know. I’ve only found the flavoring in Paris (along with ice cream which was to die for in December).
I haven’t found an edible lilac source yet! Though I’ve wondered whether maybe I could just find some local person with an unsprayed lilac bush and trade lilacs for bread or something!