#lavenderextract

[therebelselkie]

A small composition of today's adventure in syrup and extract making. #Lilacsyrup #Lavendersyrup #Lilactextract #lavenderextract (at Buffalo, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAt4ew8hWY9/?igshid=1cl17wjzmsp6h

[placesharing-blog]

Lavender + Cardamom Shortbread

The first time I had something flavored with lavender was at Mora Iced Creamery on Bainbridge Island when I was 14 years old. I brought the little plastic sample spoon towards my face with no small amount of incredulity.  The ice cream was white and translucent, like gelato.  It didn't really smell like anything (probably too cold.)  I tasted it.  "It tastes like how lavender smells!"  I shreiked, and walked away inhaling a giant waffle cone of it.  

I later wanted to check and see if maybe actual lavender blossoms tasted like my ice cream.  Nope.  They taste like soap.

I've since had lavender shortbread several times at Madeline's Cafe and Patisserie in Spokane, and I've been dying to try and make some.

I based this recipe on an Ina Garten shortbread, only Ina's doesn't go WHAPOW! LAVENDER!  Cardamom is an aromatic, floral spice from Guatemala. After dumping almost a tablespoon of it on my tongue, trying to come up with a description, I think it has an bright, old-world medicinal flavor. If you add your flavors a little at a time, you can adjust the amounts of lavender, vanilla and cardamom to suit your tastes.

Lavender + Cardamom Shortbread

3 1/2 c flour 1 1/2 c unsalted butter 1 c sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cardamom  1 tsp lavender extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract  1 palm sea salt sprinkled on top

Mix your butter and sugar until just incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift flour and salt together and add to the butter and sugar mixture until just incorporated.  Finally, add the vanilla, lavender and cardamom to taste. Chill for 30 minutes.  Roll out your dough 1/2 in thick and place in the bottom of a greased baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the edges are brown.  When the shortbread is almost cool (just barely warm to the touch) spread the sea salt over the top.  Slice when completely cool.