There are few desserts as comforting as a classic butter cookie. This recipe takes the timeless treat and infuses it with a hint of innovation by incorporating brown butter and lavender. The result? A cookie that not only melts in your mouth but also surprises your palate with its aromatic complexity. Using a sous-vide technique to infuse the butter with lavender elevates this simple cookie to a gourmet experience. Let’s dive into this delicious adventure!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: additional lavender for garnish
Instructions
Start by creating your lavender-infused butter. This step is essential to bring out the unique flavor profile of your cookies.
Place the unsalted butter and dried lavender in a sous-vide bag, sealing it tightly. Preheat your sous-vide immersion circulator to 180°F (82°C). Submerge the bag in the water bath and let it infuse for 1 hour. This gentle heat allows the lavender to permeate the butter without burning.
Once your butter is infused, remove it from the water bath and let it cool slightly. Strain the butter through a fine mesh sieve into a mixing bowl to remove the lavender bits. You should have about 1 cup of beautifully fragrant lavender-infused butter.
In the mixing bowl with the infused butter, add granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Cream the mixture using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want your cookies to remain tender and buttery.
Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the cookies maintain their shape while baking and enhance the flavors.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough chills. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Once the dough is chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. For an extra touch, gently press down on each ball to form a slightly flattened disk. If desired, sprinkle a few lavender buds on top for decoration.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still appear a bit soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these modern butter cookies with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and let the delightful flavor take you on a journey!
These cookies not only boast incredible flavor but also a beautiful presentation that will impress your guests. Happy baking!