Allow me to show you How To Make Pretty Edible Flower Shortbread Cookies, with a sprinkle of cardamom and beautiful garden flowers that are edible.
Edible Flowers?
Naturally, we know that flowers are nature’s perfect artwork.
However did we realize that they are no different than the herbs or leafy vegetables we eat?
The flavor of each flower varies from flower to flower, as do herbs and their health benefits.
Our Garden To Table Fresh Flowers
There’s nothing more beautiful than a splash of color across our yard, from our own garden, or a vase on a tabletop.
So why not plant a few flowers that are specifically edible?
Easily obtained in a window box, outdoor garden or just a few pots indoors.
Middle Eastern Cooking And Rose Petals
Having grown up in a Middle Eastern influenced home, we always had desserts flavored with rosewater or orange blossom water.
The flavor of rosewater, like the Rosewater Baklava I made on the PBS program, has a floral, yet sometimes strong flavor.
And yet, the chopped rose petals are very delicate in flavor.
Growing Edible Nasturtium Flowers For Salad
Having worked alongside my chef son, in a large family event catering company, long ago, I learned about nasturtium flowers and salads.
Fast forward to 2023, and I now have baskets of nasturtium growing in my tiny greenhouse.
So easy to grow and in the dead of winter, the greenhouse provides heavenly scent as well as fresh salads!
Shortbread Dough Is Perfect For A Round Cookie Cutter
There are few cookie dough recipes that lend themselves to the ease of pressing a perfectly round cookie.
Contrarily though, a shortbread dough is easy to roll out, chill for a short time, and proceed with shaping and baking.
Besides a shortbread cookie dough recipe, often calling for butter, it works quite well with vegan butter too.
How To Enjoy Edible Blooms In A Cocktail And A Cookie
Since cherry blossoms arrive before mother’s day, I quick created a cocktail with these beautiful blossoms.
So, I froze the blossoms into ice cubes, and was able to enjoy the blossom cubes in my cocktail for Mother’s Day.
Meanwhile, since mother’s day is also said to be the first day for outdoor planting in my region, I planted specifically for these flower cookies!
A Harvest Of Edible Flowers For Cookies
Eventually, I had handpicked edible flowers by mid-summer; Zinnias, nasturtium flower, English lavender and violas.
As you can see, I celebrated an afternoon tea in my garden, right in front of my zinnias!
By all means, though, support your local florist and ask which type of flower they sell, preferably organic, they would recommend.
How To Assemble Edible Flower Cookie Dough
First, you will want to gather the flowers, wash them and blot gently on a towel.
Secondly, in the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the room temperature butter and mascarpone.
Lastly, once the remaining ingredients are whisked into a dough, chill for 30-minutes, wrapped in plastic wrap.
How To Make Edible Flower Cookies
Now, we are ready to place the chilled dough on a floured surface, and with a rolling pin, roll the dough to quarter inch thick.
Press the cookies into shape with a round cookie cutter, place the petals you have chosen, on top of the cookies and bake.
Equipment Needed
- Food processor
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie cutter
- Parchment paper
- Dish towel
- Oven
Ingredients Needed
- Butter
- Mascarpone
- Sugar
- Coarse sugar
- All purpose flour
- Salt
- Edible flowers – such a variety to choose from, roses, viola, fennel bursts, borage, nasturtium, so many to choose from.
How To Make Edible Flower Shortbread Cookies
Equipment
- Food processor or dough cutter
- Cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 16 oz Butter softened
- 8 oz Mascarpone softened
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 2 tbsp Coarse sugar
- 3 1/2 cups All purpose flour more as needed
- 1 tsp Salt
- 24 Edible flowers a variety
Instructions
- In a food processor or stand up mixer, place the softened butter, mascarpone, sugar, salt and 3 cups of flour. Whisk until the dough forms a ball.
- Roll out the dough between 2 pieces of lightly floured parchment paper, to about 1/4 inch thickness. Chill for 30-minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Using a round cookie cutter, press out the cookies and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet pan.
- Place the flowers on top. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake 10-15 minutes, until a pale golden brown. Place extra flowers on warm cookies. Cool and enjoy.
Video
Notes
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.
