Name: Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 1 h 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds; ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 3 Tablespoons (42g) vegetable or canola oil; 1 large egg + 1 large yolk, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour; 1 Tablespoon (10g) cornstarch; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 (8-ounce) block (227g) cream cheese, at room temperature; ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted; ⅓ cup (112g) honey

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 7 reviews

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If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that feels like a warm hug wrapped in delicate floral elegance, let me introduce you to the delightful Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These charming treats combine soft, slightly chewy lavender-scented sugar cookies with a luscious honey-infused cream cheese frosting that truly elevates every bite. With their gentle balance of sweetness and fragrant floral notes, these cookies are a wonderful way to impress friends or simply indulge yourself in a special moment of homemade magic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A shiny metal bowl filled with a large amount of thick, pale yellow dough that looks soft and slightly sticky. The dough is unevenly distributed inside the bowl with some parts sticking to the sides. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with soft natural light above showing the texture of the dough clearly, which appears smooth with small lumps. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beautiful thing about this recipe is how it elevates simple, wholesome ingredients into a sophisticated treat. Each one plays a crucial role from flavoring to texture, making sure every cookie turns out tender, fragrant, and irresistibly crave-worthy.

Granulated sugar: Adding sweetness and, when pulsed with lavender, infusing the cookies with a natural floral aroma.
Dried culinary lavender buds: The star floral ingredient that brings a subtle, fragrant twist to your cookie base.
Unsalted butter: At room temperature for creamy richness and tender crumb in the cookies and frosting alike.
Vegetable or canola oil: Keeps the cookie dough soft and chewy, balancing the texture perfectly.
Egg and egg yolk: Provide structure while ensuring a moist, tender cookie.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, familiar sweetness.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that turns your dough into perfectly baked cookies.
Cornstarch: Helps give the cookies a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Baking powder and baking soda: Work in harmony to create just the right amount of lift.
Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights all the nuanced flavors.
Cream cheese: The tangy, creamy base for the luscious frosting that makes these cookies unforgettable.
Powdered sugar: Provides smooth sweetness and structure to the frosting.
Honey: Adds a natural floral sweetness and ties the frosting perfectly to the cookie’s lavender notes.

How to Make Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Lavender Sugar

Start by pulsing the granulated sugar and dried culinary lavender buds together in a food processor. This little trick breaks up the lavender into tiny pieces so that its delicate floral essence really infuses the sugar, making every bite fragrant and special.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Lavender Sugar

In your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter together with your freshly made lavender sugar until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step ensures the butter is well aerated, creating lightness in your cookies.

Step 3: Add Oil, Eggs, and Vanilla

While the mixer runs on medium-low speed, slowly add the oil to the creamed butter mixture. Then add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing just until incorporated. These liquids bring moisture and richness to your dough, helping the cookies stay soft yet sturdy.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This combination provides structure and tenderness while balancing the rising agents for perfect texture.

Step 5: Mix Dry Into Wet Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can toughen the dough, so care here keeps your cookies tender and chewy.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover your cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill it for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This resting period firms the dough, making it easier to scoop and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough balls, roll them into smooth spheres, and press down slightly. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden and centers no longer look wet. Let them cool completely before moving to frosting.

Step 8: Make the Honey Cream Cheese Frosting for Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla on medium-low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and honey, mixing on low until incorporated, then increase speed to medium until smooth and creamy. Chill the frosting slightly until your cookies are cooled and ready for the finishing touch.

Step 9: Frost and Decorate

Use a cookie scoop to dollop frosting onto each cookie, spreading it out to the edges with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, finishing with a pretty swirl. Garnish with a few lavender buds for an elegant, floral flourish before enjoying.

How to Serve Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows six round cookies arranged on a silver metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a thick layer of smooth, creamy white frosting spread in a circular motion on top. Small purple lavender buds are sprinkled lightly over the frosting, adding a touch of color and texture. To the left, there is a wooden honey dipper resting on the white marbled background with a small puddle of honey, and a white bowl filled with dried lavender buds sitting nearby. A draped light purple cloth is partially visible on the top left corner, enhancing the soft, delicate presentation. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding fresh or dried lavender buds on top of the frosted cookies creates a stunning visual that also hints at the cookie’s floral essence. You can also dust a tiny pinch of edible gold dust or a light drizzle of honey to elevate the presentation for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with light beverages such as Earl Grey or chamomile tea, which complement the lavender’s floral notes. For an extra indulgent touch, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging these cookies on a rustic wooden board sprinkled with dried lavender petals or honeycomb chunks for a charming display. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes for delightful homemade gifts that show just how much you care.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For frosted cookies, keep them refrigerated in a sealed container to preserve the cream cheese frosting’s freshness, ideally consuming within 2 to 3 days for best texture and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to prepare these goodies ahead of time, the cookie dough can be frozen before baking. Portion the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. After baking and cooling, frosted cookies can be frozen in a single layer on a tray before transferring to an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To bring frosted cookies back to their delightful softness, let them come to room temperature before serving. For unfrosted cookies, a quick 5-7 second zap in the microwave brings out that fresh-baked warmth beautifully without melting the frosting.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh lavender for dried in this Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?

It’s best to use dried culinary lavender buds because fresh lavender is too moist and strong, which could affect the cookie’s texture and flavor balance. Always ensure your lavender is food-grade and safe to consume.

What if I don’t have cornstarch? Can I skip it?

Cornstarch helps create a tender, delicate crumb, but if you don’t have it, you can try substituting with an equal amount of additional flour. The cookies might be slightly less soft but still delicious.

How do I prevent the frosting from being too runny?

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are properly chilled before mixing, and don’t overdo the honey. Chilling the frosting before applying helps it firm up and makes spreading much easier.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

For a vegan twist, substitute the butter with vegan margarine, the cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative, and use flax eggs or another egg substitute. Keep in mind the texture and flavor might vary slightly.

What’s the best way to enjoy these cookies?

These Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe are perfect with a cozy cup of tea, shared with friends over a chat, or whenever you need a charming little pick-me-up that feels like a loving homemade gift.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you fall in love with this Honey Lavender Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe as much as I have. It’s a wonderful way to bring floral sophistication and comforting sweetness together in a bite-sized moment of joy. So go ahead, bake a batch, spread that dreamy frosting, and savor every fragrant, creamy, tender morsel—you deserve it!

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