Summer season brings with it a harvest of fresh organic herbs from Gramercy’s Koinonia Farm in seemingly endless supply. We found and adapted this fresh basil recipe from Southern Living for a delicious and savory summer treat. Enjoy!
Lemon Basil Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup fresh basil (or lemon-basil) leaves
1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
1 pound butter, softened
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 large egg
6 cups all-purpose flour
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs, almond slivers
Preparation
Process basil and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor until blended.
Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar, beating well. Add lemon juice and egg, beating until blended. Gradually add flour and basil mixture, beating until blended.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs and almond slivers if desired.
Shopping for your ingredients in Maryland?
Visit your local Giant, Whole Foods or Mom’s Organic Market and look for the Koinonia Farm label in the produce section to shop our variety of local, organic culinary herbs including basil.