Lavender-Lemon Sugar Cookies
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup Earth Balance or any vegan margarine
- 1 cup vegan granulated sugar (or pulse some turbinado in the food processor)
- Egg Replacer (2tbsp water mixed with 1 1/2 tsp EnerG Egg Replacer)
- 2 tablespoons soy or rice milk
- 2 tsp good vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried lavender buds
- 1-5 drops lavender essential oil
- 1-5 drops lemon essential oil
- * Makes ~2 dozen.
1. Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, and lavender buds) in a medium bowl.
2. Cream margarine, essential oils and sugar with an electric mixer, I always use my food processor. If you are unsure of the lavender flavor keep it to fewer drops, any more than 5 makes it a bit overpowering but 1 is a too subtle for me so play with it and find what is just right for your taste. (Again, this is safe to add essential oils to because you are blending it with an oil -- the margarine -- that will disperse it, unlike a water based liquid.)
3. Mix your egg replacer and set aside - do not make too early or it will not be as effective.
4. With food processor or mixer running add the dry ingredients a cup at a time and mix until well incorporated.
5. With the mixer running add the vanilla extract, egg replacer and soy milk and mix until it is a consistent dough.
6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and roll the dough into small balls that are slightly flattened (they will not spread much during cooking).
7. Sprinkle cookies with turbinado sugar and gently press in a few dried lavender buds on top for garnish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Bake until very lightly golden; do not allow to brown (unlike conventional sugar cookies they will not be as golden due to no eggs, for more yellow color add a pinch of turmeric to the dough). Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!
What else can you do with your lavender? Add a pinch of dried buds or a drop of essential oil to a shaker of turbinado sugar for a lavender-licous addition to any fruit salad, tea, or coffee. Try adding a drop of the essential oil to a batch of vegan chocolate ganache (8oz vegan dark chocolate whisked into 1/4 cup boiling soy milk) for a decadent truffle rolled in cocoa powder or use as is as a frosting.
Lavender is wonderful for you inside and out! It will make your taste buds smile just as much as it will relax your body and balance your mind. I highly recommend diffusing lavender in your house to help you sleep peacefully or calm your thoughts - just add a few drops of essential oil to a pot of steaming water or to your oil diffuser.
Another great use for lavender essential oil is as a relaxing fabric scent. Add a few drops to your unscented laundry detergent to transform your chores into a time to relax. Try diluting the essential oil in any veggie based oil or getting my lavender body oil and put a drop on your pulse points for relaxation during a particularly difficult time (if you are anticipating a test or work evaluation). Add some essential oil to distilled water in a clean spray bottle for a relaxing sheet spray or facial mist.
Did you find any of this useful? How do you use lavender? I would really love to hear what you think! Thanks, I hope this will give you a few ideas of how to incorporate this wonderful little flower into your daily life for a sweet treat or body treatment. If you are interested in lavender body products, I use only 100% pure essential oil for the most aromatherapeutic bang for your buck and the most pleasant natural scent. Please check them out and let me know what you think. Thanks! Have a beautiful week. More next week..