I mentioned this recipe a few months ago, but at the time, my sage wasn’t doing so well and I didn’t have a basil plant. Now that the herb garden is in full bloom and I have some healthy sage and basil, these cookies were an easy choice.
Janice Elder created this recipe for a contest sponsored by Freixenet. The prize was a trip to Sonoma and a week-long cooking class at a famous cooking school. After tasting these, I am not so sure Janice needs cooking lessons. They have a very unique flavor – one that might be slightly addictive. In this picture, the cookies are glazed, but the glaze kind of sank into the cookie.
Lemony Sage and Basil-Flecked Cookies
1 cup sugar, divided usage
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt (I used a big dash)
8 ounces unsalted butter, softened
3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest
Additional granulated sugar
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Optional Garnish – julienne basil or sage leaves or strips of lemon zest
Process 1/4 cup of the sugar, basil and sage in a food processor until very well blended; reserve.
Mix together flour, baking powder and salt; reserve.
Beat butter and cream cheese. Add remaining 3/4 cup sugar and continue beating until fluffy. Add egg, lemon juice and zest; gradually add flour and basil/sugar mixtures. Chill dough for 1 hour. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes, or until set. Remove to wire racks for cooling.
Whisk together glaze ingredients; spread over cooled cookies. Garnish with basil, sage or lemon zest.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What a refreshing cookie-variety – no doubt that they’d be addicting!
How much do you taste the flavors of the basil and sage?
The flavor is pretty strong, but in a good way!
Wow, these look yummy and delightfully different!
These sound really interesting. I bet they were lovely and light and summery.
These are unusual, Anna! They look fantastic.
I made a rosemary cookie during holidays last year and my husband thought I was nuts. The more gourmet members of my family loved them. Sounds like these would be fun to try too!