LAVENDER COOKIES

I am a wedding and event planner, and one of my brides served these unusual cookies at her reception. I just had to have the recipe. You can guess what her wedding color was!

—GLENNA TOOMAN BOISE, ID

PREP: 30 MIN. • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH • MAKES: ABOUT 6 DOZEN

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons dried lavender flowers

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine the flour, lavender, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto baking sheets lightly coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

NOTE Look for dried lavender flowers in spice shops. If using lavender from the garden, make sure it hasn’t been treated with chemicals.

image FROM THE COOKIE JAR

Lavender Cookies are the perfect bite for summer snacking. Be sure to store them separately, as the lavender in these cookies can affect the flavor of other cookies and baked goods.