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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Gone With a Handsomer Man Publishing Party: Lavender Shortbread

You are invited to join me at Michael Lee West's blog, Designs by Gollum, to celebrate the publishing of  her new book, Gone with a Handsomer Man.
Most of you know Michael and frequent her Friday party, Foodie Fridays, where we gather together to try new recipes.  What you may not know about Michelle is she has written six previous books!  Michael lives on a farm in Lebanon, Tennessee with her husband.  

Gone with a Handsomer Man:  Teeny Templeton believes that her life is finally on track. She’s getting married, she’s baking her own wedding cake, and she’s leaving her troubled past behind. And then?  Her fiance us found dead and all fingers point to Teeny. Her only hope is through an old boyfriend-turned-lawyer, the guy who broke her heart a decade ago. But dredging up the past brings more than skeletons out of the closet, and Teeny doesn’t know who she can trust. With evidence mounting and the heat turning up, Teeny must also figure out where to live, how to support herself, how to clear her name, and how to protect her heart. 

Gone with a Handsomer Man is fun, funny, and fabulous!”---Janet Evanovich
Today, I am taking one of Teeny's favorite desserts to the publishing party: Lavender Shortbread.

I used a recipe I found online, which called for the cookies to be dusted with Lavender Sugar.     

Lavender Sugar 
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon Dried Lavender

Place sugar and lavender in a food processor or blender.  Process until they make a fine texture.

To dye the sugar
Preheat the oven to 325*; line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix sugar with a drop or two of liquid food coloring (red and blue).  Stir the sugar to mix the colors.  I was unable to find liquid food coloring and tried using gel.  As you can see, the sugar turned purple, but there are red and blue flecks.  

Spread the colored sugar on the lined pan and place in the oven for 2-3 minutes.  Keep an eye on the sugar as it will easily burn.  

After baking, sieve the sugar to remove and clumps.  Store in a jar at room temperature.

Lavender Shortbread Cookies
1/4 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Lavender Sugar, divided
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1 Cup All-purpose Flour
3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Preheat oven to 325*; line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter and 1/4 cup Lavender Sugar.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch and salt.  Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed sugar.

Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls.  Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.  Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass; sprinkle with additional Lavender Sugar.

Bake cookies for 17 minutes.  Cool completely on the baking sheet before removing.  Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.   

Shortbread was the most 
English dessert I could think of.  
Plus, lavender would defuse the 
cat-fight that was brewing. 
                                              Teeny Templeton
                                                                    Gone with a Handsomer Man

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

15 comments:

  1. OMG!...those look delish,I won the book,and am looking forward to reading,also am thinking of joining the cookin' party.Now to just find a recipe.
    ~Jo
    Lazy on Loblolly

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  2. That is so wonderful that she is so talented. The cookies look so delicious.

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  3. Cookies turned out great La! Lovin' the colored sugar and pretty tea cup:@)

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  4. LA, these look so yummy. Shortbread is a vavorite of mine! Your summary of the book is enticing. Joni

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  5. These are going to be the hit of the party!

    Have you read the book yet? It sounds good!

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. They look wonderful. I've never had food with lavendar in it...I'm not sure how I'd like it. I guess you don't know until you try.

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  7. AHHH, I made lavender sugar last fall, I am going to have to make some of these delish cookies. I will also try coloring some of the sugar. Yum and so pretty with the touch of color.

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  8. I love shortbread, so I would love these. They look delicious!

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  9. La,

    Your shortbread looks beautiful and I'm sure smells even better. The colored sugar is perfect for Easter. Enjoy sharing them!!!! Have a Happy Easter.

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  10. This shortbread looks wonderful and how perfect for an afternoon tea.

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  11. Oh, La, these look delicious! The lavender sugar is ambrosial. Don't be surprised if Teeny and Coop--or even Red Butler Hill--sneak into your kitchen! XX00 Thank you so much!

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  12. Oh, These look just wonderful! I love the delicate flake and pretty flecks of color in the sugar. YUMMY! These are a must to make from the lavender in my garden!
    Come over to enter in my GWAHM giveaway.
    Yvonne

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  13. Oh, these look delicious. I love the idea of the lavender sugar. Wonderful touch! I'm going to make Teeny's lavender shortbread. ;-)
    GWAHM is a fun book! ~ Sarah

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  14. They look delicious and probably smell even better. Have a great weekend!

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  15. The cookies look delicious! I must try them soon. Your blog is so pretty! I love the color combination of it.

    Lori

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See you soon! La