I have a lot of calendula growing in my backyard. This is not a bad thing, mind you, as calendula has many uses, but my mind kept turning to cookies (whose doesn’t?). It’s probably because of this Sweet & Savory Dandelion Shortbread post by Gather that I keep seeing. That recipe definitely sparked my idea of calendula and thyme shortbread cookies, but these are definitely more cookie like, more sweet than savory, with a hint of thyme. Calendula flowers have a slightly peppery, almost citrus like taste that’s hard to describe, but they’re delicious!
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I used fresh calendula flowers right from my garden, and thyme that is just starting to flower.
I also decided to add in a bit of lemon juice and zest to play off of the calendula’s citrus notes, and it worked well. You can omit them, but if you do leave out the juice, be sure to use 2 more tablespoons of butter.
Get recipes using wild violet, lilac, forsythia, chive, calendula, lavender, white clover, nasturtium, elderflower, yarrow, rose, and Queen Anne’s lace flowers in my ebook Edible Flower Recipes: Infusions, Syrups, Jellies, Beverages, & Snacks!
Calendula and Thyme Shortbread Cookies Recipe
First finely chop up some calendula petals and fresh thyme.
To make Calendula & Thyme Shortbread Cookies, start by creaming together the butter and sugar, then add the egg yolk, lemon juice and lemon zest (if using) and stir to combine. Next you will add in the flour, arrowroot, calendula, thyme, and salt.
Gently stir everything together until the dough barely holds together. It will seem a bit floury, but that’s ok.
Take the dough out of the bowl and form it into a log shape.
Wrap it tightly with parchment paper, twisting the ends to help hold it all together. Put in the fridge or freezer for about 30 minutes, or until firm. You can store the dough for several days in the fridge, or for several weeks in the freezer, if need be.
When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 300°F. Remove the parchment paper from the cookie dough. Slice the log into ¼ inch rounds.
Arrange the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet, about an inch or so apart. They don’t really spread much.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check them closely after 25 minutes, as they will start to brown pretty quickly.
Take them out when only the edges just barely start to turn golden. The centers will still be fairly soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They will firm up as they cool.
I am really impressed with these cookies! They are sophisticated and beautiful, yet simple to make.
If you want to make different shapes, instead of forming the round log you can alternatively refrigerate the dough as a ball, and then roll it out on a floured board and use cookie cutters.
You can also get creative and use other edible herbs and flowers. Nasturtiums, violets, borage, lavender basil, oregano, and sage would all work beautifully. Get creative!
Herbal Shortbread Cookies
Here are some more shortbread cookies which are just as amazing!
Have you ever used edible flowers in your recipes? Tell me what you’ve made!
Calendula and Thyme Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 14 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice optional, but use 2 more Tbsp butter in its place
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 3-4 Tbsp minced fresh calendula flower petals
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh thyme
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the egg yolk, lemon juice and lemon zest (if using) and stir to combine. Then add the flour, arrowroot, calendula, thyme, and salt.
- Gently stir everything together until the dough barely holds together. It will seem a bit floury, but that’s ok.
- Take the dough out of the bowl and form it into a log shape.
- Wrap it tightly with parchment paper, twisting the ends to help hold it all together.
- Put in the fridge or freezer for about 30 minutes, or until firm. You can store the dough for several days in the fridge, or for several weeks in the freezer, if need be.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 300°F. Slice the log into 1/4 inch rounds.
- Put them on a parchment lined baking sheet, about an inch or so apart. They don’t really spread much.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check them closely after 25 minutes, as they will start to brown pretty quickly. Take them out when only the edges just barely start to turn golden. The centers will still be fairly soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. They will firm up as they cool.
These shortbread cookies are amazing and are so pretty! I didn’t have enough calendula blooms so I used nasturtiums to make up the difference. I served these at my annual harvest party and everyone loved them. I’m so glad that I doubled the batch to freeze for later. Thank you!!
Hi, this recipe sounds awesome! could you substitute the sugar for say maple syrup or honey?
Hi Melissa. I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work. You may have to experiment with the sweetness to get it right.
I’m vegan and just wondering what could I sub for the egg yolk. Thanks
You could use a flax egg or another vegan egg substitute. I haven’t made this recipe vegan, so I can’t say if you’ll get the same finished product.
What kind of thyme are you using? I grow silver thyme, Lemon thyme and regular savory thyme.
Can you tell me the weight of the butter please? Our butter is sold in 250 or 500 gram blocks.
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Love the recipe. We have all kinds of herbs in the garden. I found this tab still open from months back and went to save it.
Hi Sean, sorry about that! I think it was just a glitch, as it seems to be working now. Thanks for the heads up.
What is your preferred method for drying calendula? right now I’m drying on a paper towel on top of a wire rack as I’m hesitant to use my dehydrator. it is an older model and has no temp setting and I think it gets too hot. Thank you!
I just made these with Calendula and Lavender. Sooo yummy! The combo worked really well. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
How would dried calendula work in these?
It would probably work just fine, I would chop it up a little finer, though.
These sound and look delightful…great plated as per your picture…visiting gift or fete goody…thank you. Thinking lavender (English so no camphor), rosemary etc.