Herb-infused dessert recipes
Basil Olive Oil Cake
Makes 12 to 16 servings
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1-1/2 tablespoons finely minced fresh basil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
Olive oil for drizzling
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 10-inch tube pan with cooking spray. Dust with flour, shaking out excess.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour with basil, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a second large bowl, beat sugar with oil, milk, lemon juice, vanilla, and eggs until well combined. Beat flour mixture into egg mixture until there are no lumps.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and let cool.
5. To serve, drizzle just a little oil over a slice of cake and top with fresh basil leaf.
Thyme Shortbread Cookies
Makes 3 dozen
cookies
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh thyme
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons colored sugar for decoration
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until smooth. Beat in thyme, flour, and salt until well incorporated. Form dough into a ball, cover, and let chill for at least 1
hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cover 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. Roll dough out to about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut cookies out with a round cookie cutter and place on cookie sheets.
4. Sprinkle sugar on top and bake 7 to 9 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and let cool on wire racks.
Lavender Blondies
Makes 6 blondies
Ingredients:
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1-1/2 tablespoons finely minced lavender
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat melted butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Beat in flour mixture until well combined then stir in nuts and lavender.
5. Pour batter into an 8×8-inch pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and let cool before cutting.
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