{sweet treat tuesday: rosemary cookies}

As with most things, I love the idea of baking.  I love it much more than cooking, but I married a man that prefers savory over sweet. (WHAT?!) Mister kindly eats all my creations, but no need to compromise because I found a perfect treat that works for the both of us!  Not too sweet and not too savory: Rosemary cookies. 

Don't be afraid of rosemary while baking!! It's a fun change and would be absolutely belle chic to serve with an afternoon of ladies....

Here's what you do:

2 Tbsp butter, softened
4 Tbsp sugar
grated rind of 1 lemon
4 Tbsb lemon juice
1 egg, separated
2 tsp rosemary, finely chopped
1 3/4 C all-pupose flour, sifted

superfine sugar, for sprinkling - optional (I used raw sugar)

1) Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
2) In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
3) Add the lemon rind and juice, then the egg yolk, and beat until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.  Stir the chopped fresh rosemary.
4) Add the sifted flour mixing well until a soft dough is formed.  Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

{I LOVE how pretty the dough looks with the rosemary and lemon zest peaking through!!!}

5) On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough thinly and stamp out about 25 cookies with a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter.  Arrange the dough on the prepared cookie sheets.

{I used a pretty cookie cutter to create the scallopped edges...}

6) In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg white over the surface of each cookie, then sprinkle with a little sugar, if desired.
7) bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.
8) Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before serving.

{Simply arranged on my beautiful French plate....they're ready for serving!}

Not only are they perfect....because of the chic ingrediants and taste; they are perfect because they are totally european in style! And trust me, any time I can pretend to be from Europe, I do. {For proof see HERE and HERE.}

A typical household staple in Europe (at least in the past) were small butter cookies or other such 'harder' cookies (often found in a tin). When I lived in France, it was common to take one's afternoon tea with a little cookie - one that wasn't too sweet, but perfectly satisfied and easily complimented a hot drink.

Impress your friends, family and even yourself with these super fast, easy and yummy treats, that are a perfect compliment to afternoon tea!

Happy kitchen times...


P.S. Mister hasn't stopped eating these up!!! 

{recipe - cookshelf baking, Emma Patmore; photos - my own}