Rose shortbread
Soft, light and dreamy
Rose Shortbread simply is the best of both worlds! A light shortbread that just melts in your mouth combined with vibrantly pink rose petals that give off a soft calming scent. Shortbread, a quintessentially Scottish delicacy, much loved all over the world, is fairly easy to bake. Only three ingredients, flour, butter and sugar. Yes pretty much what we have been told not to eat! But hang on I don’t believe that is the whole truth.
No I don’t think you should buy too many store bought biscuits and cookies but if you make them yourself? There is a difference! First of all, you will be using clean ingredients, no extras, just what mother nature has to offer. But I can still hear you screaming but there is sugar. Yes there is some sugar in Shortbread, that’s ok! The Rose Shortbread is to be enjoyed in small quantities with your “nightcap” tea for better sleep, a treat at the end of the day. You could almost say, they are medicinal as they together with the tea will bring you that warm and fuzzy feeling of calm and serenity.
The Rose
Roses and especially Rose essential oil is often described as a hug in a bottle. In herbal medicine it is primarily prescribed for grief. Psychological studies have shown that Rose may induce “sweeter dreams” and therefor a perfect addition to your evening routine.
Rose is though not only used for psychological conditions it has other indications too such as chronic inflammation, pain, gastro intestinal problems and diabetes. Not just a pretty flower but also a much loved medicinal plant.
Alternative uses
Roses have of course got many more uses. Spiritually roses may induce calmness and help us relax. It may also help negative emotions such as anger, sadness and fear dissipate to give way for a lighter frame of mind.
This herb is brilliant to bring into your life as you age. It has the powers to easy your journey through menopause all the way into old age. It is no wonder that you often find an abundance of roses in cottage gardens. If you want to increase the scent of your roses you should consider planting them together with Lavender as these two plants help each other to reach perfection.
Harvest your own Rose petals
If you would like to harvest your own rose petals you need to do this from roses that has not been sprayed with pesticides or other poisons. The petals should also preferably come from scented roses such as Damask rose, Dog rose or Rosa Rugosa (Japanese rose). Pick the petals on a dry day but not in direct sunlight. Spread them out on greaseproof paper and leave to dry in a well ventilated area or use a food dehydrator.
You can also press the petals so that they dry completely flat. Lay the petals on a sheet of blotting paper on a smooth surface, cover with a second sheet of blotting paper. Hold down and press with some heavy smooth books or a flower press. Dried rose petals are brilliant to use in cooking, teas and as edible cake decoration. Of course you can also use them for crafting and spell work.
If you would like to use Rose Essential oil in your cooking, please make sure it is essential oil and NOT a fragrance oil. There is a huge difference! Essential oil is edible and fragrance oil may not be.
Rose Shortbread
Equipment
- 1 Food processor Optional! You can use a bowl and a fork instead
- 2 Paper baking sheets You can of course use silicone alternative
Ingredients
- 340 g Flour
- 100 g Sugar
- 227 g Salted butter
- 1-2 drops Rose essential oil optional
- 1 tbsp Rose petals
For decorating
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1-2 tbsp Crushed rose petals
Instructions
- Turn on the oven and leave to reach the heat of 170 degrees.
- Combine the sugar and butter. It is easier to do this in a food processor. Use the pulse function as you want the ingredients to mix not completely cream. This can of course also be done with a fork. If you are using rose essential oil add it at this stage, 1 drop is sufficient (do not overdo essential oils as they are very concentrated.100 g Sugar, 227 g Salted butter, 1-2 drops Rose essential oil
- Continue to add the flour and combine well.340 g Flour
- Lastly add the rose petals to evenly be dispersed throughout the dough.1 tbsp Rose petals
- Divide the dough into two lumps. roll each piece into a 25cm roll.
- Combine sugar and rose petals. You can do this in the food processor.2 tbsp Sugar, 1-2 tbsp Crushed rose petals
- Pour the rose and sugar mixture onto a sheet of baking paper. Roll the dough rolls in the mixture to cover the outside.
- Slice each roll into 20 round cookies. Don't make them too thin, a little over a centimetre. Don't worry if you get less cookies. Place on a paper baking sheet, spread them out as they will expand and they will look so much better if they do not stick to each other.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Keep looking at the cookies as you want them golden but not burnt. Ovens may differ in their settings.
- Let cool and enjoy with a cup of night-time tea or indeed a glass of milk.
