#lavenderextract

The first time I had something flavored with lavender was at Mora Iced Creamery on Bainbridge Island when I was 14 years old. I brought the little plastic sample spoon towards my face with no small amount of incredulity.  The ice cream was white and translucent, like gelato.  It didn't really smell like anything (probably too cold.)  I tasted it.  "It tastes like how lavender smells!"  I shreiked, and walked away inhaling a giant waffle cone of it.  

I later wanted to check and see if maybe actual lavender blossoms tasted like my ice cream.  Nope.  They taste like soap.

I've since had lavender shortbread several times at Madeline's Cafe and Patisserie in Spokane, and I've been dying to try and make some.

I based this recipe on an Ina Garten shortbread, only Ina's doesn't go WHAPOW! LAVENDER!  Cardamom is an aromatic, floral spice from Guatemala. After dumping almost a tablespoon of it on my tongue, trying to come up with a description, I think it has an bright, old-world medicinal flavor. If you add your flavors a little at a time, you can adjust the amounts of lavender, vanilla and cardamom to suit your tastes.

Lavender + Cardamom Shortbread

3 1/2 c flour 1 1/2 c unsalted butter 1 c sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cardamom  1 tsp lavender extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract  1 palm sea salt sprinkled on top