Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Rosemary Butter Cookies

These delicate little cookies are delicious. They are savory, salty and sweet all at the same time. Perfect for holidays and parties!


When it comes to baking I have much to learn. Take these cookies for example, the first time I made them was last summer. I added extra rosemary because I just adore the flavor and thought they would taste even better. Well, sometimes too much of a good thing, is too much of a good thing. I also made them extra-large so the flavor ended up being overpowering and even tasted a little soapy. Sadly they were barely okay. So with those little memories etched in my mind I decided to try my hand again with a few small changes. This time I made them much smaller and used the amount of rosemary posted. And guess what, they turned out just perfect!

This recipe is slightly adapted from the Martha Stewart.com website.

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 egg white, beaten (to brush on cookie roll to hold on sugar granules)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup sanding sugar (I used raw sugar)

To prepare:

Add butter and sugar to mixer, beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in whole egg and vanilla. On low speed mix in flour, rosemary and salt until combined.



Roll in parchment to 1 1/2 inch in diameter, about the size of a paper towel holder. Freeze until firm, at least an hour.


Preheat oven to 375F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.

Brush egg whites on outside of log, roll in sanding sugar and then cut into 1/4 inch rounds. Place on baking sheet about 1 inch apart and bake approximately 12 to 14 minutes turning baking sheet halfway. Recipe suggest baking 18 to 20 minutes but in my oven they would of burned.


Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

38 comments:

  1. These look great, Cheri! I like the specks of green from the rosemary. It's nice you are adventurous enough to try and mix things up...might not always work but worth a try. Glad these came out perfectly second time around.

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    1. Thanks Tandy, I really enjoying the salty, savory and sweet in these.

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  3. Divinely buttery and fabulously fragrant! Great shortbread cookies.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. Thanks Rosa, the kitchen smelled wonderful and it was just the right amount of rosemary this time.

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  4. Rosemary is my favourite herb. These shortbread cookies look fantastic, Cheri.

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  5. This sound so delicious! My rosemary grew wild this winter, and I'm always looking for ways to use it up : )

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    1. Hi Natalie, if your rosemary is like mine this probably would not put much of a dent in it as mine has gone wild as well. Good luck!

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  6. I am glad they turned out better this time. They look delicious and fragrant. Mouth-watering. Time to start baking!

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  7. I love homemade cookies but hardly ever make them and have never heard of fresh herbs in them before - how delightful! I'm all about savoury so this is right up my alley. Great looking cooking, Cheri! Happy Easter to you and yours!

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    1. Thanks Robyn, Happy Easter to you and your family as well!

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  8. I'm really into the idea of baking with herbs, especially my favorite rosemary. I need to give these a try!

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    1. Hi Pamela, rosemary is one of my favorites too. Thanks!

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  9. They look perfect! I have so many times tried baking something expecting them to taste a certain way, but then they turn out to be kind of..meh. I should really try baking with herbs

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    1. Hi Cathleen, baking with herbs seems to be a little tricky, they seem to be a powerful little lot.

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  10. They look like perfect little bites! They must be delicious with the rosemary....in the right amount! Happy Easter! :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. Hi Ela, that is the key here the right amount. Happy Easter to you!

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  11. I love the way these look when you slice them off the rolled dough log, Cheri. Sort of rustic ... in a good way I mean. It's a great idea to add herbs to baked goods - love it!
    Happy Easter!

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    1. Hi Helen, I don't usually make refrigerator cookies but these were fun to make. Happy Easter to you too!

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  12. I love herbs in my shortbread!! I'm so glad you figured out the ratios...I've definitely added too much of a good thing before and it can really be unpleasant!

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    1. Hi Joanne, you are so right, too much of a good thing.......Thanks!

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  13. Slice and bake cookies are the best and yes - rosemary is yummy! I lost my rosemary bush this past winter - but just planted another one. Have a blessed Easter!

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    1. Hi Tricia, here in Arizona the rosemary grows crazy pretty much all year especially in the summer. Happy Easter to you and your family!

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  14. I love to serve a savory cookie with a glass of wine before dinner. I've learned the hard way that rosemary can be overpowering. I'm happy you tried the recipe a second time and were happy with it.

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    1. Hi Cathy, thats really a great way to serve a cookie like this, thanks for the great tip.

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  15. These looks so adorable cheri, and I love the little rosemary sprig on top and how you stacked them-these would make a fantastic housewarming gift!

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  16. Cheri, I love baking with herbs and thes ecookies look exactly like the kinds of cookies I would want to enjoy alongside my cup of tea in the afternoon! All stacked up and with a sprig of rosemary, they look just wonderful!

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  17. I love the addition of herbs to sweet recipes! I think the butter cookie base is perfect for holding the rosemary flavour.

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    1. Thanks Hazel, I like the savory and sweet flavors as well. Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. Cheri - I love just about anything with rosemary! These cookies sound amazing; I will have to try them soon! If you come to Tucson, sed me an email and we can trade numbers - it would be great to get together and have coffee. Likewise, I will do the same when I come north!

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