Red and Yellow Flower Shortbread Cookies
Elegant two-tone shortbread featuring vibrant red beet and golden turmeric-apricot doughs, each rolled in dried flower petals. These delicate butter cookies offer subtle earthy and fruity notes, finished with a tender crumb and floral garnish for visual appeal.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp dried flowers, whole
- 4 cups white flour, sifted or unsifted
- ¾ cups powdered sugar, sifted or unsifted
- 25 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 whole fresh egg whites, room temperature
- 3 ¾ tbsp boiled beets, cooled and finely minced or gratedbeet powder0.75tsp
same colour, intensified earthy notes
- 1 ¾ oz dried apricots, finely chopped
- 1 pinch salt, fine
- ½ tsp turmeric, ground
Instructions
- 1
Mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- 2
Add butter and rub together with your hands until the mixture is even and crumbly. Divide the mixture in half.
- 3
For the red dough: Mix boiled beets with one egg white, add to half the mixture, and quickly combine into a dough. Shape into a roll approximately 1 ½" in diameter, roll in dried flower petals, cover, and chill for approximately 1 hour.
- 4
For the yellow dough: Mix dried apricots into the other half. Mix turmeric with the remaining egg white, add to the mixture, and quickly combine into a dough. Shape into a roll approximately 1 ½" in diameter, cover, and chill for approximately 1 hour.
- 5
Slice both dough rolls into approximately ¼" thick slices. Place on two baking trays lined with baking paper.
- 6
Bake each tray for approximately 10 minutes in the centre of an oven preheated to 400°F.
- 7
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Tips
Keep doughs chilled until slicing to prevent sticking and ensure clean cuts.
Work quickly when combining egg white and dough to avoid overworking the mixture.
Good to Know
Airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Dough rolls can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days in advance, or frozen for up to 1 month. Slice and bake from chilled or frozen state, adding 2-3 minutes baking time if frozen.
Serve at room temperature with tea or coffee. Arrange on a platter to display the contrasting red and yellow colours.
Common Mistakes
Do not overmix dough after adding egg white to avoid developing gluten and creating tough, dense cookies.
Do not skip chilling to prevent dough from spreading too much during baking.
Do not slice dough when warm, as it will crumble; ensure rolls are fully chilled before cutting.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
same colour, intensified earthy notes