If you adore the idea of combining floral elegance with classic comfort, then this Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is absolutely for you. These cookies bring together the soothing aroma of culinary lavender and the rich, melty delight of semi-sweet chocolate chips, resulting in a bite that is nothing short of magical. Soft yet slightly crisp on the edges, each cookie carries a subtle hint of lavender that perfectly complements the familiar chocolate chip sweetness. It’s a charming twist on a beloved favorite that’s sure to captivate your senses and become an instant staple in your cookie repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of these ingredients—they each play a crucial role in building the perfect balance of flavor and texture that makes these lavender chocolate chip cookies so special.
- Unsalted butter, 1 cup, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- Granulated sugar, ¾ cup: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the ideal cookie crispness on the edges.
- Brown sugar, ¾ cup packed: Brings moisture and a deeper caramel flavor to enhance the cookie’s chewiness.
- Large eggs, 2: Bind the ingredients while contributing to the cookie’s structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract, 1½ teaspoons: Boosts and rounds out all the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour, 2¾ cups: The sturdy foundation of the cookie, providing structure without weighing it down.
- Baking soda, 1 teaspoon: Helps the cookies rise just enough and gives them a satisfying bite.
- Salt, ½ teaspoon: Balances sweetness and intensifies the flavor complexities.
- Dried culinary lavender, 1½ tablespoons, finely chopped: The star ingredient that perfumes the cookies with subtle floral notes, so make sure it’s culinary-grade!
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 cups: The classic chocolate burst in every bite, perfectly contrasting the lavender’s delicate flavor.
How to Make Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze. Setting your oven temperature early saves time and energy, so it’s always the first task in baking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is crucial—it traps air, helping the cookies achieve a delightful texture that’s tender yet slightly crisp.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mixing one egg at a time ensures a smooth batter without lumps, and the vanilla adds that warm, familiar aroma that makes cookies irresistible.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Including Lavender
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and finely chopped dried lavender. The lavender needs to be evenly distributed so every cookie gets that lovely floral hint without overpowering the chocolate.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the dry mix to your butter-sugar-egg mixture, stirring until just combined. Over-mixing here can make cookies tough, so a gentle hand is key!
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re spread evenly throughout the dough to promise that melty chocolate surprise in each bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto your lined baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. The smell wafting from your oven will be absolutely heavenly.
Step 8: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for five minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breaking and keeps your cookies perfectly soft inside with crisp edges.
How to Serve Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an elegant touch, sprinkle a few dried lavender buds on top just before serving to enhance that floral aroma and add a pretty visual hint of the cookie’s magic. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also create a simple, lovely finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of herbal tea, especially chamomile or Earl Grey, which complements the lavender flavor beautifully. Alternatively, a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns these cookies into a complete indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap a few cookies in parchment and tie with a lavender sprig for a charming guest gift or place them on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh flowers and a teapot for an inviting afternoon tea setup. Their unique flavor makes them conversation starters, so presentation is a big part of the fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked lavender chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to one week, making them perfect to enjoy later or to share across several days.
Freezing
If you want to keep the magic longer, freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This way you always have a fresh batch on hand!
Reheating
To bring these cookies back to their just-baked glory, warm them for about 10 seconds in the microwave or for a few minutes in a low-temperature oven. The chocolate chips soften up beautifully, and you get that lovely fresh-from-the-oven sensation.
FAQs
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried?
It’s best to use dried culinary lavender for this recipe because fresh lavender contains more moisture and can result in a bitter taste. Dried lavender has a more concentrated flavor that works perfectly in baked goods.
What can I substitute for semi-sweet chocolate chips?
You can use white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even milk chocolate chips. Each will bring a slightly different flavor profile, but all pair well with lavender’s floral notes.
How strong is the lavender flavor in these cookies?
The lavender flavor is delicate yet noticeable, offering a subtle floral aroma that complements but never overwhelms the rich chocolate. You can always adjust the amount of lavender to suit your taste.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, ensuring it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for best texture results.
Why do the cookies sometimes turn out too dry?
Dry cookies usually result from over-baking or using too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off, and watch the baking time closely.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend making this Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe enough—it’s a beautiful way to take a familiar favorite and turn it into something truly special. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just a cozy night in, these cookies bring warmth, sweetness, and a hint of floral magic to every bite. Give them a try and watch how quickly they become your new go-to indulgence!
Print
Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lavender Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the classic sweetness of chocolate chip cookies with a delicate floral hint from dried culinary lavender. Perfectly soft with lightly golden edges, they offer a unique aromatic twist that elevates traditional cookie flavors, making them a delightful treat for any dessert occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ tablespoons dried culinary lavender, finely chopped
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes and incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the batter with rich flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and finely chopped dried lavender to evenly distribute the lavender and leavening agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing, which can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to ensure evenly distributed pockets of melted chocolate.
- Scoop Dough: Use a tablespoon-sized scoop to place rounded dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their texture.
Notes
- Use culinary-grade lavender to avoid any bitterness and ensure a pleasant floral aroma.
- For a stronger lavender flavor, infuse your sugar with lavender a day in advance by storing the sugar and lavender together in an airtight container.
- Try white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a tasty variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
