Lavender Cookie Icing and Natural Sprinkles
Author: Nancy Baggett
Here I’ve left the icing the faint natural pinkish color created by the lavender-infused water, although it’s fine to add a little purple food color if you wish. I try to avoid unnecessary chemical additives due to family allergies, so suggest using natural botanical dyes for coloring foods whenever possible. The sprinkles on the cookies are also tinted with botanical colors; the ChocolateCraft brand of natural purple crystal sugar is available on-line. A lavender cookie recipe to go with this icing is HERE.
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest (yellow part of the skin)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, plus more if needed
  • 2 teaspoons egg white powder, optional
  • 1 teaspoon corn syrup
  • 3 to 4 drops lavender extract or ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
  • Purple crystal decorating sugar, preferably tinted with botanical dye
Instructions
For the infusion:
  1. Stir the lavender and lemon zest into 2½ tablespoons boiling water. Set aside, covered, for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours (refrigerate after 1 hour).
  2. Strain the infused liquid into a deep, medium bowl; press down hard on the lavender with a spoon to force through as much liquid as possible. Add the sugar, egg white powder (if using), corn syrup, and extract (if using) to the bowl.
  3. Stir until well combined and smooth. As necessary, a bit at a time, stir in more water or more powdered sugar to obtain desired piping or spreading consistency.
  4. The icing may be used as is, or tinted by stirring in a drop or two of whatever color dye (preferably botanically based) is desired. Spread the icing onto the cookies using a table knife. If decorating with sprinkles, add them right away before the icing sets. Let dry at least 30 minutes and preferably longer before packing airtight.
Notes
Tip: It’s easy to make lavender sugar cookies to go with this icing using your own favorite sugar cookie recipe or my lavender sugar cookie recipe here.
Recipe by KitchenLane at http://kitchenlane.com/2015/01/lavender-cookie-icing-lavender-buds.html