| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 12 mins – 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 533 | 23g | 14g | 70g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 37g | 2g | 6g | 0.2g |
There’s a charm to baking that can’t be found elsewhere, and similarly, there’s a certain allure to a recipe that lets you escape the ordinary. One such extraordinary delight is the recipe for Sweet Woodruff and Lemon Cookies, an impeccable blend of bright, zesty lemon with the understated sweetness of woodruff. A truly amazing creation, these cookies bring together my love for unique flavors, and my roots in bygone food traditions, bridging the gap between the rich, Creole gusto and the urbane sophistication of French cuisine.
The Intrigue of Sweet Woodruff
Now, you may wonder about Sweet Woodruff, with its nod to herbal infusions often seen in European dishes. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill herb. Sweet woodruff, known and cherished for its grassy fragrance and refreshingly sweet taste, adds a mystical charm to any dish it graces, enveloping it in an alluring depth of flavor. In the realm of culinary herbs, it is a touch of magic, instantly transforming any mundane dish into a gourmet delight.
A Balanced Fusion of Flavor
The tart zest of lemons mingled with the sweetness of woodruff imparts to these cookies a tantalizing contrast. Lemon’s natural acidity counters the subtle saccharine of the woodruff, creating a riveting dance of flavors on your palate. The result? A perfect balance, not unlike the blend of Creole and French styles that I love to incorporate in my cooking.
What’s more, if we consider the health benefits, lemons and sweet woodruff make a formidable pair. The high vitamin C content in lemons paired with the known anti-inflammatory benefits of sweet woodruff makes these cookies not just a delight for your tastebuds, but a boon for your health too!
One bite of these Sweet Woodruff and Lemon Cookies, and you’re transported to your own slice of paradise. They are superb on their own, but if you’re looking for a complete dessert experience, pair them with a classic French clafoutis or a Creole bread pudding. Trust me, your guests will be raving about it for days!
Prepare to fall in love with these crumbly, sweet-tart cookies. Their subtle sophistication and charm lie in their simplicity, and in the taste that lingers long after the cookie crumbles.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of sweet woodruff leaves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for dusting
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step Two
In a bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and lemon zest until the sugar is moist and fragrant. This process should take about one minute.
Step Three
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step Four
In a large bowl, beat the butter until it is creamy. Gradually add the lemon-scented sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process should take about 3 minutes.
Step Five
Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice.
Step Six
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Lastly, stir in the finely chopped sweet woodruff leaves.
Step Seven
Shape the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. The cookies should be spaced about 2 inches apart.
Step Eight
Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step Nine
Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar.
Now your Sweet Woodruff and Lemon Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!
