These fragrant rose and orange blossom shortbread cookies are easy to make and perfect for dipping in tea or enjoying by themselves!
I love going to High Tea every now and then with friends. Tea rooms are full of elegant touches that create a pleasant atmosphere for girl time. Everyone is served their own pot of tea and tiered trays full of mini sandwiches and desserts. It’s a great way to enjoy a few hours on the weekend.
I’ve had rose and orange blossom water sitting in my pantry for a few months after picking them up at Dean and Deluca. When I made lavender shortbread cookies I realized they would work perfectly in the same recipe. Now I just have to master mini sandwiches and I’ll be able to host High Tea at home!
These rose and orange blossom shortbread cookies are cut smaller than the lavender cookies so that they’re the perfect dipping size. I also divided the batch in half after creaming the butter and sugar before adding additional ingredients. This recipe makes quite a few shortbread cookies, so a half batch of each flavor is plenty (for me).
Rose and Orange Blossom Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 teaspoon rose water OR orange blossom water
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
Instructions
- Cream the butter, sugar and salt in a stand mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy. If you're making a half batch of each flavor, divide the mixture and set one half aside. Also, make sure to divide the rest of the ingredients in half.
- Add the vanilla and one of the waters, then lower the speed and slowly add the flour until the dough is combined.
- Roll the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least an hour, or until the butter firms up. You can speed up the process by using the freezer.
- Roll out the dough to around 1/2 inch thick. I rolled it in between 2 sheets of parchment paper, which isn’t essential but helps avoid a mess and keeps the dough smooth.
- Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into rounds and then place them on a sheet tray covered with parchment. Roll the excess scraps in a ball and repeat the process until you have used all the dough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes for 350 degrees F, or until lightly golden on top. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
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spree says
These look and sound Fragrant-Lovely! Must try! Thanks for sharing!
Food, Flowers, Herbs and Life! says
Lovely cookies! Ritchey and I enjoy tea rooms, too! When we are on vacation we always try to find one!
frugalfeeding says
Wow! these sound SO delicious! They also look absolute perfection…
fooddrinkandbooks says
I shall have to try these, they sound lovely! Beautiful photograph too – I love pretty china.
susartandfood says
I grew up in Nova Scotia. Every Christmas my aunt would mail us a box of green and red tinted shortbread cookies that were so light and buttery they almost disappeared on your tongue. These look wonderful.
Food,Photography & France says
Lovely shot – you should look at a site called http://dormouseandtheteapot.com/ which sells the most fabulous china tea cups and saucers..
Jennifer M. says
Lovely recipe and photo! If you want to master tea sandwiches, here’s a tip from my mom (who used to work in a tea shop): Keep a spray bottle filled with water on hand and very lightly mist the sandwiches as you are working. Keep them covered with a clean dish cloth to prevent the bread from drying out. Good luck!
Savory Simple says
Thanks for the tips!
Just A Smidgen says
I love High Tea, a great idea to go with your friends. We have this in Victoria at the Fairmont Hotel. I happen to have a bottle of orange blossom water just purchased and ready to go:)
musingmar says
Tea and shortbread cookies … so civilized! Would love to have some right now, with a good book in front of a good fire.
Polish Mom Photographer says
Where do you get rose (blossom) water? Those cookies looks delicious!
Savory Simple says
I found it at Dean and Deluca while I was visiting NYC. I bet you can find it online. Try Amazon.
goldcoastlocal says
Lebanese, grocery stores usually stock. Basically any middle eastern store
Polish Mom Photographer says
I’ve heard that you can make your own rose water. I wonder if that would work… .
Jill says
I’ll be trying these!!
mbnilsson says
How lovely. I love floral inspired foods. Middle Eastern markets carry both rose water and orange blossom water if you happen to be lucky enough to have such a market in your city.
thecompletecookbook says
I quite like the idea of adding rose and orange to the mixture! Shortbread is always such a nice treat for with a cup of tea. Yours are so pretty.
:-) Mandy
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
We make something a little similar every year. Great recipe!
goldcoastlocal says
These sound delicious and we have both rose and orange flower water in the cupboard
High tea is such fun it’s lovely to dress up and eat beautiful food in lovely surrounds