Floral Shortbread Cookies (Printable)

Delicate buttery shortbread topped with edible flowers, ideal for spring gatherings and tea service.

# What You Need:

→ Shortbread Dough

01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Decoration

06 - 24–36 small edible flowers (e.g., violets, pansies, calendula petals, rose petals)
07 - 1 egg white (optional, for adhering flowers)
08 - 2 tablespoons superfine sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

# How-To:

01 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
02 - Add the vanilla extract and mix briefly to combine.
03 - Sift in the flour and salt. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
04 - Turn the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper. Shape into a flat disc, wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness.
07 - Cut out cookies using a round or flower-shaped cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between cookies.
08 - Gently press an edible flower onto each cookie. For extra adhesion and a glossy finish, lightly brush the tops with egg white before applying the flowers. Sprinkle with superfine sugar if desired.
09 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
10 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • The edible flowers transform a simple cookie into a showstopper—almost too lovely to eat, but too delicious not to.
  • This dough is forgiving and easy to work with, making it perfect even if you think youre not a baker.
02 -
  • I once tried using non-edible flowers without checking—thankfully, someone noticed before serving; it’s crucial always to verify what’s safe.
  • Chilling the dough well before cutting is the difference between crisp shapes and spread-out blobs; patience pays off every time.
03 -
  • If you overwork the flour, the cookies can turn tough—pause as soon as the dough comes together.
  • Brushing egg white before adding petals keeps the flowers vibrant and pressed in place after baking.
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