I made these gluten-free herbal Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies for a Galentine’s Day party I went to and was so pleased with how they turned out. I knew I wanted to bring a simple treat that highlighted both the beauty and subtle floral flavor of roses since rose is the flower most often associated with love. And even though most of us were meeting each other for the first time, this get-together was definitely filled with love.
I’ve been really into finding ways to use edible flowers in everyday recipes. I love the way they infuse beauty and a little magic into otherwise simple recipes. And while there may not be enough rose in this recipe to make much impact on the physical, I like to think we still get some of the energetic benefits of this herb when used in recipes like this.
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Gluten-free Herbal Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookie Recipe
Shortbread cookies are one of the most straightforward cookie recipes out there. It’s basically flour, butter, and sugar mixed together, formed, and then baked. I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour for this recipe and it turned out beautifully. Anyone who’s done any gluten-free baking knows that gluten-free flours can be unpredictable. It’s nice to just be able to grab a 1:1 flour substitute, so I was glad it turned out so well.
I used grass-fed butter in this recipe. But I assume coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative should work just as well. I haven’t tried it yet, though.
To get the bright, lemony flavor, I added the zest of one lemon to the sugar. The key is to rub the sugar and zest together to really bring out the essential oils from the lemon.
After forming the shortbread cookies into logs, I rolled them in a mixture of sugar, rose hips, and rose petals. Not only is it beautiful, but you also get the added subtle tart and floral flavor from the rose. It perfectly complements the buttery, lemony flavor of the cookies.
Please Note: The information in this post is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is always best to work with a qualified healthcare professional before incorporating herbs into your diet.
Rose Herbal Benefits
If you don’t keep rose on hand, that’s understandable. It’s not exactly a kitchen staple. But it’s so easy to add to recipes and offers so many benefits.
Rose can help…
- Soothe and soften grief and heartache
- Uplift emotions
- Heal and soothe tissues
- Modulate the inflammatory response
Rose hips are also incredibly high in vitamin C, which helps bolster the immune system, protect the cardiovascular system, support skin health, and fight free radicals in the body.
A simple herbal tea made of rose is a lovely way to experience the benefits rose has to offer. You can also add it to baked goods, use it as a garnish, or make rose honey if you have fresh petals. And, of course, it pairs particularly well with chocolate.
Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup + 2-4 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 350 grams gluten-free flour* about 1 ½ cups
- 1 tablespoon cut and sifted dried rose hips
- 1 tablespoon crushed dried rose petals
Instructions
- Combine ¾ cup of sugar and lemon zest in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use your hands to rub the sugar and lemon zest together for a few seconds to really bring out the lemon flavor.
- Add the softened butter and mix on medium using the paddle attachment for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the salt and vanilla extract, scrape down the sides, and mix for another minute.
- Add the gluten-free flour and mix for a couple of minutes, starting on low and gradually increasing to medium. The dough might seem a little crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
- Next, take half the dough and knead it a few times with your hands before rolling it into a log shape about 2 inches in diameter. I like to use this method to get a nice round shape that’s easy to slice: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/how_tos/6703-perfectly-round-cookies
- Repeat for the other half of the dough.
- Wrap the cookie dough logs in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place them in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes to firm up.
- While the dough is chilling preheat the oven to 325° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the remaining 2-4 tablespoons of sugar with the rose hips and rose petals on a plate and stir to combine.
- Once the dough has firmed up, remove it from the fridge and unwrap it. Then roll it in the sugar and rose mixture, pressing slightly, to evenly coat the outside of the dough.
- Slice the cookies into ½-inch slices and then place them on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 30 minutes until just starting to become golden around the edges.
- Let cool on a wire rack and then store in an airtight container on the counter for up to a week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Notes
This gluten-free herbal shortbread cookies recipe has definitely become a go-to in my book. I can’t wait to try different flavor combinations and edible flowers with it!
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