Lilac Sugar Cookies (Printable)

Fragrant buttery cookies infused with fresh lilac blossoms for a delicate spring flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Floral Sugar

01 - 1 cup granulated sugar
02 - 1/4 cup fresh, pesticide-free lilac blossoms, stems and green parts removed

→ Cookie Dough

03 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
07 - Prepared lilac sugar
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Pulse granulated sugar and fresh lilac blossoms in a food processor until flowers are finely chopped and sugar becomes fragrant with a pale purple tint. Set aside for later use.
02 - Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
03 - Beat room temperature unsalted butter and prepared lilac sugar in a large bowl until mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Incorporate large egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until fully combined and smooth.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
06 - Divide dough in half, shape into flat discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to roll.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
08 - On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
09 - Arrange cut cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are just beginning to turn golden.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The floral scent fills your entire kitchen while they bake, making even a gray day feel like spring
  • These cookies have this delicate vanilla-lilac flavor that people cant quite place but keep reaching for
  • The dough comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a fancy bakery
02 -
  • Not all flowers sold as edible actually are, so either grow your own lilacs or buy from a trusted source
  • The chilling step seems tedious but skipping it makes the cookies spread into thin, sad puddles
  • Over-processing the lilac sugar can make it turn green, so pulse just until the flowers are chopped
03 -
  • Gently shake the lilac blossoms before processing to dislodge any tiny bugs hiding in the petals
  • Reserve a tablespoon of the lilac sugar to sprinkle on top of the cookies before baking for extra floral crunch
  • Swap lilacs for violets or roses using the exact same method when different flowers are in season

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