Rosemary Butter Cookies

I admit that I *love* slice & bake – style cookies. *Love*. You can make the dough, and leave it in the freezer and when you need cookies, just pull out the roll and slice off what you need. Whad’ya know — you’ve got fresh-baked cookies in minutes. This is especially perfect for making now to have on-hand for the upcoming holidays.

When I first spotted this recipe, I was a little intrigued — rosemary in a cookie? I was quickly won over. These cookies are sweet but with a hint (just a hint) of rosemary and lots of butter flavour — very nice, if I do say so myself.

Normally I make these with regular unsalted butter, but this time I tried using some whey butter we had on hand. It’s a great tweak to these yummy cookies. Whey butter isn’t always easy to find, so even if you don’t use it, make sure you do use a good quality butter (ie. one with good flavour). Why? Depending on the butter you choose to use, the flavour can be strong in this cookie, so if you use one of a lesser quality, either you won’t taste it, or what you do taste won’t be good. Trust me — it’s worth it!

The Recipe

From Martha Stewart
Makes approximately 5 dozen

1 cup / 250mL butter (use ‘whey butter’ if available)
3/4 cup / 185mL sugar
1 egg
1 tsp / 5mL vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups / 375mL flour
1 tbsp / 15mL chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 tsp / 4mL coarse salt

1 egg white
1/2 cup / 125mL sugar

How-To

Cream the butter until smooth, then add the sugar and continue mixing until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Measure the flour, rosemary and salt and mix until well combined.

Halve dough, and roll into a log shape, approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in parchment or wax paper and place in freezer for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F) / 190 degrees (C)

Brush frozen log with a thin coat of egg white and roll in sugar. Slice log into coins 1/4 inch thick and place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Remove to wire racks and allow to cool.

Enjoy!

Tip

• Dough logs can be placed inside paper towel rolls to help make or maintain the log shape — place one end of log at top of a vertically held roll and tap until the log is fully inside the roll.

Perfect Pairings

• Chamomile tea