Garden-Inspired Shortbread Cookies

Buttery, crumbly shortbread flavored with herbs from the garden.

Sondra Wells used to make lavender shortbread for parties. Her friends and family would go crazy for them. So much so, that they told her she ought to sell them.

Now, she does. Her Botanical Bakery of Napa makes seven types of itty-bitty shortbread cookies inspired by the garden: Cinnamon Basil, Fennel Pollen, Cardamom, Lemon Thyme, Naked, ginger Squared and her original Lavender.

They’re all made by hand with Straus Organic Creamery butter, organic hard red wheat flour, and pure cane sugar.

The results are two-bite cookies that are buttery, crumbly and sandy — everything you’d want in shortbread.

Recently, I had a chance to try some samples.

The Lemon Thyme has a nice bright citrus-y, herbaceous flavor. The Cardamom is the most potent, as the warm, earthy spice shines through clearly. The Ginger has little bits of candied ginger for added texture. It’s mild, but with a slow, subtle hit of heat at the very end.

Find the cookies at Whole Foods and Draeger's.

The cookies are $6.50 for a 3.5-ounce package. They’re available at Draeger’s stores on the Peninsula, and Whole Foods markets.

Three and a half cookies have about 130 to 140 calories, depending upon the variety.

Enjoy them with a soothing cup of tea. Or do as my husband did — and top your morning oatmeal with a few for fun breakfast-like croutons.

More Tiny Cookies: Cookies & Corks

And: Newman’s Own Organics

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