It’s lilac season here in the Heartland. But I bet most of you have no idea how tasty those lilac flowers can be!
If you’ve followed my blog for awhile you may remember a lilac and corn meal cookie I made several years ago. I was about to whip up another batch this year but I couldn’t find the corn meal in my pantry. No way was I about to head to a grocery store to buy more! So I jumped online to Google another recipe using different ingredients.
Now…let me warn you. I was totally shocked when I Googled Lilac Cookies. The first thing that popped up was a strain of MARIJUANA!
That was definitely NOT on my menu, so I kept searching. I finally found a recipe that looked promising on a Canadian website called http://spiraeaherbs.ca. But you know me. I always have to change things up a bit, just to make life interesting!
That recipe called for coconut oil, and at first I was going to use it. But I reckoned the flavor of coconut would then be the dominant flavor of the sugar cookies. And I wanted the light, slightly citrus flavor of those flowers to shine through. So I substituted butter instead.
Here are the simple ingredients I used.
Let’s MIX it up!
First I creamed together the room temperature butter and the sugar.
I picked two cups of lilac blossoms from the stems and lightly chopped them.
The chopped blossoms were added to the butter and sugar mixture.
Next came two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
And one egg. (Let’s see you try to break an egg into a mixing bowl while taking a photo of the process!) FYI…This was NOT my first rodeo, Dear Readers!
I let the wet mixture hang out while I whisked together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Flour and salt…
And baking powder.
Next I slowly combined the wet and dry ingredients…
…Until the mixture was thoroughly combined.
I rolled the dough into one inch balls before pressing each ball down with a glass dipped in sugar.
Meemaw’s Tip: Before pressing down the first cookie, spray the bottom of the glass with cooking spray. Then dip in sugar. That will keep the dough from sticking on that first cookie!
Notice I used my muffin top baking sheets. Those great pans help me to keep the cookie size uniform and the cookies baked beautifully. And also notice my fancy footwear! Since this pandemic started I could count on ONE HAND the days I’ve worn shoes! It’s bedroom slippers and PJ’s most days in Meemaw’s kitchen!
Once I removed the cookies from the oven, I allowed to cool on racks. And that’s when I again left the original recipe behind and added my own twist.
I stirred up a simple glaze to add more lilac flavor to the cookies.
I didn’t measure the ingredients but here they are:
- About 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- A little vanilla
- A little Half & Half
- A pinch of salt
- Several tablespoons of chopped lilac blossoms
I spread the glaze over each cookie, and I stuck a full size blossom on each one…just because.
Not bad, if I do say so myself!
I love the delicate color and flavor of these sugar cookies!
Now…if only the lilac season lasted longer here in the Heartland…
Lilac Sugar Cookies With A Lilac Vanilla Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 Cups Flour
- 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 Cup Butter (Can Substitute Coconut Oil)
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 2 tsps. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Egg
- 2 Cups Lilac Blossoms, Chopped
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (GLAZE)
- 1/2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract (GLAZE)
- "Pinch" Salt (GLAZE)
- "Some" Half & Half (GLAZE)
- "Some" Chopped Lilac Blossoms (GLAZE)
Instructions
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PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
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Cream together room temperature butter and sugar.
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Add the chopped lilac blossoms and combine.
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Add one egg and the vanilla.
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Mix well.
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In a separate mixing bowl combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Whisk to combine,
-
Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir well.
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Form dough into one inch balls and place on cookie sheets.
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Flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
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Bake at 350 Degrees for 12-13 minutes.
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Cool on racks and then top with glaze.
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GLAZE INGREDIENTS:
Powdered Sugar...
Vanilla...
Pinch of Salt...
Half & Half to reach the desired consistency...
Chopped Lilac Blossoms
am I READING THIS RIGHT???? IS IT ACTUALLY SAFE TO EAT LILAC FLOWER??? i AM AMAZED!!
LOL! You are reading this right!
Just make sure the bushes and blossoms haven’t been treated with pesticides and you should be good to go!
XOXO
Meemaw
There are a lot of flowers that are edible.
Here is a short list:
Redbud
Dandelion
Violet
Nasturtium
Bee Balm
I always check to see if I can eat a flower before I plant it. Bon apetit!
Here goes nothin, I am giving these a try tonight!
So pretty and a pop of spring color. I wish I had lilac blossoms. Those cookies look so delicious.
Thank you Tina! I wish you did too! The blossoms add just a hint of citrus and freshness…hard to describe. But so easy to EAT!!
XOXO
Meemaw
This sounds like an incredible cookie. My own tip is to always sift the dry ingredients first, then there is no delay in combining wet and dry.
Thanks Frances! I stir together my dry ingredients with a whisk…and if I’m using my Kitchenaid mixer (whicH I RARELY drag out!)I am careful to combine slowly so I don’t end up WEARING that flour mixture!
XOXO
Meemaw
Aoah!! Beautiful! Thank you, and love the slippers!
LOL!! Thanks Holly! I rarely find the need for “dress up”…or even “DRESSED” these days! Stay well…and keep cooking!
XOXO
Meemaw
You are amazing! Wish I could taste one of those!
Me too!!!
XOXO
Meemaw
I definitely want to make these! I have one concern, hoe long do the cookies last with the lilacs in the glaze? I would think the blossoms would rot fairly quickly..
Hello Janie! Most of that batch were eaten within the first few hours, but I refrigerated a few of them and they stayed beautiful and delicious for several days. Let me know how you liked them!!
XOXO
Meemaw
Personally, I needed to leave mine in the oven for a lot longer and my glaze didn’t turn out so well… the cookie didn’t have much taste, maybe it’s because I was using an alcohol free vanilla extract (sounds impossible, lol) just to see if the taste would change, and it did. Either way I still think the cookies are great and super pretty! <3
Thanks for your feedback Angela! The lilac flowers add just a subtle touch of flavor…certainly not an overpowering floral taste! I’m glad you took the time to tell me your thoughts! Happy Baking!!
XOXO
Meemaw
These were sooo good! I have never baked with lilac but I was pleasantly surprised, it is just a hint of light floral flavor without being overpowering. The actual sugar recipe is also perfect, nice and soft. Will definitely be adding this to my spring baking list!
Thank you Todd! I’m glad you liked them! The lilac flowers add such a delicate flavor the cookies! And we all know the lilac season is VERY short…so ENJOY while you can!
XOXO
Meemaw
absolutely wonderful!
Thank You Sandi! ENJOY!!
XOXO
Meemaw
great recipe! just one question, in the ingredients it doesn’t mention egg, but in the instructions it says to add one egg. which one should i follow?
Hi Jo! I’m so sorry for the confusion! Yes…add one egg as per the photo directions! I’ll go back and make the change in the actual recipe card! Thanks for catching my blunder. Let’s just call it a “Senior Moment.”
XOXO
Meemaw
Hello meemaw my name Charlotte Jackson i love your lilac cookies with the sugar cookies with the glaze on them and the lilac flower i was wondering if can anyone make and order for a special event and how much will the order be can you please let me know thank you so much if you can get back to me .
I’m sorry Charlotte but I don’t ship any of my creations. And lilacs only bloom for a VERY short time in the Spring so I’m afraid the season has passed for this year. Thanks for your question.
XOXO
Meemaw
Love love love this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it! I was happy to use the lilacs from my backyard to make cookies this spring.
Aww…Thanks so much for letting me know you loved them! That warms my heart! And yes…those lilac cookies are one of the most unique cookies I’ve ever tasted! Happy Baking!!
XOXO
Meemaw
These look great! I’m looking at making a cake. is it possible to use this glaze on it?
Great question Liane…The glaze should be delicious on whatever you’re making. (I hope you love it!)
XOXO
Meemaw
How do I wash the lilacs to rid them of bugs?
Hi Rox!
I would simply swish in cool water and shake off the water. The let dry completely on a clean dish towel. Good Luck!
XOXO
Meemaw
I wonder if I can freeze the lilac blossoms to use through out the year, would they discolor or change the taste
Hi Beth!
I’m afraid the delicate blossoms will discolor when frozen…but say freeze a few for a day and see how they look when thawed. Happy Experimenting!!!
XOXO
Meemaw
Hi! With our lilacs in bloom I can’t wait to try this recipe. Do you think that the cookies would freeze for a couple of weeks without the glaze? Or would it be possible to pick and freeze the lilac flowers and then thaw and bake in a few weeks? I would love to be able to have some at my sister’s floral themed bridal shower. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Hi Amanda! I’m afraid the blossoms may turn black if they are frozen, but I don’t know that for sure! I guess I would suggest just baking a batch to see how they look when they’re thawed out! Good Luck…and BEST WISHES to your sister on her upcoming marriage!
XOXO
Meemaw
LOVED these so much! I used a lovely, bright lemon glaze instead and it was heavenly. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe and your helpful photos and descriptions. My daughter’s pre-K class thanks you, too, as I brought some in for their afternoon snack.
Awww…Thank YOU Sarah for your lovely comment! I hope you’ll think of me whenever your lilacs are in bloom!
XOXO
Meemaw
Can you cut the recipe in half?
I’m sure you could, Stephanie. But I’ve never tried that. So sorry it took me SO LONG to reply!!
Happy Baking!
XOXO
Meemaw
Incredible! I opted out of the glaze only because i don’t need the extra sugar and I didn’t have any half and half.
I am going to make another batch to see how the freeze. Thanks for the recipe. I may try this with violets. My yard is fullnof themm too right now
LOL! Don’t knock them until you’ve tried them! They are delicious sugar cookies with a slight hint of citrus flavor from the blossoms! Be brave Kevin!!
XOXO
Meemaw