This spring, our lavender garden bloomed like never before, filling the air with its sweet fragrance. I decided to gather a bunch of lavender and gift it to my dear friend Claire.
Little did I know that lavender is her favorite flower! When I handed her the bouquet, she smiled brightly, inhaling its soothing scent deeply. It was a moment of pure joy.
Claire is more than just a beautiful person with a kind heart; she is also a truly inspiring figure in my life. As a palliative care nurse, she shows incredible love and dedication to her patients, family, and friends.
Her ability to stay present and spread positive energy is something I admire deeply. To honor her, I decided to bake these vanilla and lavender biscuits.
The act of mixing the dough, rolling it out, and decorating each biscuit felt like a meaningful way to express my gratitude for her friendship.
The result was a batch of sweetly fragrant, crisp biscuits, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea. These biscuits will forever be known as “Claire’s biscuits” in our home, and every time I bake them, I think of my wonderful friend.
I hope everyone has a friend like Claire, and that you, too, can be as thoughtful and caring to those you love.
What You Need:
- 125 g cultured butter
- 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups plain flour
- Zest of 1 lemon
For the Icing:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 60 g cultured butter
- Juice of 1/2 – 1 lemon
- Dried and fresh lavender flowers for decoration (you can use store-bought lavender or your own homegrown variety)
How to Make It:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, caster sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg and continue to beat until well mixed.
- Gradually add the flour in two batches, mixing well until you have a soft dough.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and chill it in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Once chilled, roll out the dough between two sheets of baking paper until it’s about 5 mm thick.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out biscuits and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving a little space between each biscuit.
- Re-roll any leftover dough to make more biscuits.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits turn golden at the edges.
- Once baked, cool the biscuits on a rack.
For the Icing:
- Mix the icing sugar and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add lemon juice, a little at a time, until you get a thick but spreadable consistency.
- Once the biscuits are completely cool, spread or pipe the icing onto each one.
- Decorate with dried lavender flowers for a lovely finish.
Storing
Once iced, the biscuits will stay fresh for 3-5 days if kept in an airtight container.
These vanilla and lavender biscuits are not just a treat—they’re a symbol of love, friendship, and the simple joys of life. Whether you bake them for someone special or enjoy them yourself, these biscuits are sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your home.
FAQs
Can I use any type of lavender for this recipe?
It’s best to use lavender from your own garden if it’s pesticide-free. If you don’t have your own, dried lavender from the supermarket works just fine.
How long will these biscuits stay fresh?
The biscuits will stay fresh for 3-5 days when stored in an airtight container.
Can I substitute the butter with something else?
You can try using margarine, but the texture and taste may differ slightly from using butter.
Can I freeze these biscuits?
Yes, you can freeze the biscuits before icing them. Just thaw them before decorating.
How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?
To make the icing thicker, add more icing sugar. For a thinner icing, add more lemon juice to reach your desired consistency.
