This is an excerpt from the article “Lemon Balm Sugar Cookies” by Kristine Brown from the Herbal Cookie Tray Vol 2 booklet featured as the bonus for the Winter Vol 3 | Issue 11 | 2024 edition of Botanical Anthology. To learn more about the ingredients and uses of this recipe, check out the entire article in the magazine! Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the winter season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Make delightful sugar cookies that are melt-in-your-mouth good! The mild lemon flavor adds a delicate blend of tang that compliments the savory rosemary flavor from the garnish perfectly. They can be prepped a day or two ahead so you can cut and bake when you’re ready.
Materials
- 2 tbsp lemon balm, minced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 c butter, softened
- ⅔ c sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 ⅓ c all-purpose flour
- Sprigs of rosemary for garnish
Method
In a small bowl, combine lemon balm and lemon juice, pressing the mixture with the back of a spoon to blend.
In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the lemon mixture. Gradually beat in flour and salt.
Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or until firm enough to roll in wax paper.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the dough on waxed paper and slice into slices about 1/8″ thick. Press bits of rosemary sprigs into each cookie to look like a pine tree.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes. Cookies will brown slightly around edges.
Notes
- Yields about 60 cookies.
- If you are using dried lemon balm, you will only need about 1 tablespoon.
- This recipe can be made gluten free by substituting 1:1 gluten free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
- This recipe can be made dairy free by substituting coconut oil or tallow for the butter.
Kristine Brown, RH (AHG) is the writer and illustrator of the children’s publication Herbal Roots zine, which includes ebooks, online courses, and a membership offering, Herb Club. She is the author of Herbalism at Home, The Homesteader’s Guide to Growing Herbs, and Nature Anatomy Activities for Kids and Nature Anatomy Guided Journal for Kids. Find her online at herbalrootszine.com and on social media @herbalrootszine.
