LATE NIGHT SNACK: LAVENDER LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

I'm a huge lavender advocate - its uses are endless! I'm always using lavender essential oils on cuts, bruises and a pesky pimple or two. Not only does it have its medicinal uses, it really makes for a unique and tasty treat. 

A sweet friend of mine gave me a baggie of fresh lavender -- straight from the farm! I've been dying to give this recipe a go ever since I started seeing different variations crop up on Pinterest. 

I included a similar recipe on my post THINGS I LOVE ABOUT VALENTINES DAY: FOUR OF MY FAVORITE SWEET AND SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS. This recipe is a little bit different, but I'm absolutely addicted now, and I'm sure you will be too.

This is really a great tea-time cookie, btw. I've been eating them with earl grey and it's delicious! 

Give these delicious LAVENDER LEMON SUGAR COOKIES a try!

INGREDIENTS: 

Makes about four dozen.

3/4 cup sugar

1 and 3/4 cups flour

1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 and 1/2 sticks of slightly melted butter (I used salted!)

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

*If you don't have lemons, try oranges!*

2 tablespoons of lemon juice (1-2 lemons)

3 teaspoons dried lavender

START HERE:

Heat oven to 350 degrees

* If you want to use a cookie cutter to create cute shapes - make dough in advance and leave it in the fridge for a few hours until you're ready to roll it out to make shapes. *

Mix sugar, lemon zest and juice and lavender together in a blender on high for about 30 seconds to a minute. 

After you've blended these ingredients leave them to sit while you stir together the flour, baking powder, vanilla, butter and egg. 

Combine lemon/lavender sugar mixture and continue to stir (if you have an electric mixer it's recommended!)

Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil and give it a light spray of oil to keep cookies from getting stuck. 

Space cookies about an inch apart on the sheet, Bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden brown. Enjoy!

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT VALENTINES DAY: FOUR OF MY FAVORITE SWEET & SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS

PINK POPCORN via cravingsofalunatic

I can't get over this. It looks amazing! I'm not a huge fan of popcorn, but when it's popcorn smothered in cheese or chocolate or icing -  my sweet tooth takes over and I just can't say no. You won't be able to resist either!  

This sweet and adorable treat would make the perfect V-Day gift wrapped up in a cellophane baggie with silver and pink ribbon. 

Lace Princess Crowns via Girl. Inspired.

I would love to be on the receiving end of this gift! Lace is always one of my favorite go-tos for girly, flirty events and of course, the holidays - and what better holiday to rock one of these bad ass (but in the most dainty, feminine way) princess crowns than on Valentines Day. 

If you're planning a V-day party these would make excellent party favors. 

And of course this idea is perfect for the kids in your life, not just the adults. I'm already planning to have these at my next soiree. I'll probably make the guys rock them too.  

Heart Attack Box via The House That Lars Built

If you know nothing else about me, then know this: I'm lazy. I'm soooo lazy. God. But even I, in all my laziness can easily find the time to put together these heart warming (or heart attack inducing) little Valentine boxes. If you're not a run of the mill Hallmark card giving type, then this is for you. 

You can spruce this already cute idea up a bit by including little love letters on each heart, or maybe something you love about the person receiving it on each one. Limitless options! 

Hell, I'd even throw some glitter in there. But it depends on how much you love them, because glitter is so hard to clean up, especially if it explodes all over your floor. Yeah.

Iced Lavender Lemon Shortbread Cookies via Montcarte

I'm so into this whole 'Lavender Craze' going on right now. I've always been a huge fan of the essential oils - they are great for everything from burns, cuts, bruises - to wrinkles, pimples and helping to reduce scarring. Now in addition to drowning myself in it, I can eat it! I've been dying to whip up some lavender hot chocolate, so now I have an even bigger excuse to bake up a batch of these delicious, aromatic and let's not forget adorable - heart shaped lavender lemon cookies.

Imagine waking your sweetheart up to a kitchen full of the sweet smell of lavender and lemon on Valentines Day! I ALMOST (but not really) wish I had a boyfriend to bake these for. Almost...