If a snickerdoodle made a baby with shortbread, this recipe would be that baby. These have the buttery crunch of shortbread, but all of the flavor of your favorite snickerdoodle. What's not to love? Also, a major plus for this recipe? You still get the goodness of "cookies" but without the annoying need to watch the oven and cook several batches of dough. I love how easy and low fuss these bars are and I hope you will too. 

Ingredients: 
2 cups butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup lavender sugar (found HERE)
2 tsp cinnamon 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325. Mix together your butter and sugar until fluffy. Add your flour and cornstarch. Spread over a greased 10x15 cookie sheet. Mix together your lavender sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over dough. Bake for about 35 minutes until the bars are set. Cut into bars before cooled. 

Enjoy!

Lavender sugar can be used in many ways. My favorite use is in baking. It can be used to sweeten muffin or scone batter. Its beautiful sprinkled over rustic looking cookies. 

A common problem with lavender flavored sweets is that if overused, it can come off tasting a little soapy or perfume-like. But I'm sure you've eaten lavender sugar and actually really enjoyed. Lavender has a distinct floral flavor, with subtle hints of rosemary and mint. It's a wonderful flavor when used with restraint. 

Here are some tips when baking with lavender. 

• Use restraint. A little goes a long way. You want the flavor of your baked goods to be enhanced, not over powered. 
• Lavender and dairy are best friends. They marry well together. So start thinking icecreams, custards, shortbreads, anything with lots of butter. 
• Balance its notes with something bright like a light citrus juice or zest. 

Our culinary lavender sugar has the perfect blend of sugar to lavender ratio so you will never go wrong. Let us know what lavender adventures you have in your kitchen this week!

Find Lavender Sugar Online Here: 

http://www.thelavenderapple.com/culinary/lavender-sugar

Growing up, my mother made Sweet Rolls. Somewhere along the line I started calling them Cinnamon Rolls. I realized a good chunk of the world calls them Sticky Buns. Whatever you call them, you will certainly call them delicious. Behold! 

These magical rolls are made of light and fluffy dough. They have the perfect amount of sweet and spice. The oozy gooey frosting makes the melt in your mouth. They are literally finger licking good. 

Ingredients for the dough: 

1 small package of yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon lavender salt

3 1/2 cups flour

Ingredients for the center: 

1/4 cup melted butter

1/3 cup lavender sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Ingredients for the frosting: 

4 tablespoons room temperature butter

1 teaspoon lavender vanilla extract 

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons hot water

Directions: 

In a small bowl disolve your yeast packet in warm water. In a separate bowl heat your milk in the microwave to almost boiling. In your kitchen mixer, use your dough attachment and mix together your milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, and lavender salt. Slowly add your flour and then add your yeast water. Mix on medium speed for about 4 or 5 minutes. The dough should form a sticky ball. Grease the sides of your mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Keep it in a warm spot on your counter until the dough doubles in size, about 60-90 minutes. 

Then knead your dough back into its original size. Using the backside of a greased cookie tray,  roll out your dough until it matches the tray in size. Cover your sheet of dough with your melted butter. Then mix together your cinnamon and lavender sugar and sprinkle your mixture all over the melted butter. Roll it up from the long side so it makes a long skinny roll of dough. Cut it into 12 equal pieces. Place those pieces in a greased casserole dish, spaced into 3 rows of 4. Let rise again, until the dough fills the pan and about doubles in size again. This should take 30-45 minutes. 

Heat your oven to 350 degrees and back for 25 minutes or until just slightly golden on top. As soon as you pull your rolls from the oven, mix together your butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and water until its a smooth consistency. Pour your glaze over your rolls once they have cooled slightly. Serve immediately. 

This is the best desert I have made in a long time. We made it for lds general conference weekend, which is always a special time for our family. This is the perfect desert for a morning family gather. But if you know my family, you better make a double batch. Enjoy!

Mike used to make what he called "Storybook Waffles" for the kids almost every weekend growing up. That's why it was such a treat to have him make them for his grandson this last weekend! They are fluffy and delicious, and the perfect special treat. 

Ingredients: 

3 eggs, separated 

2 tablespoons lavender sugar (Order HERE)

2 cups buttermilk 

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

(If you sub milk for butter milk, replace your baking soda with 2 tsp baking powder instead.) 

Toppings:

Fresh strawberries

Fresh whipped cream 

Sprinkle of lavender sugar 

We always use this fun circus waffle iron. It makes breakfast just that much more of a celebration. 

 Love Peggy's cute cake wallpaper in her pantry! 

Directions: 
In a medium sized bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add sugar and beat 30 seconds longer, set aside. Beat egg yolks and milk together in a large bowl. Add flour, melted butter, salt and baking powder or soda, mix well. Gently fold the egg whites into the flour. Cook in a preheated waffle iron. Top with strawberries and cream and then enjoy!