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Blogger Potomac, MD on Jul 09, 2012

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Lavender Cookies are so elegant and simple.

I learned a trick from another baker years ago and that is to let your oven preheat for double the time it says. The oven will be perfect for baking then. Also most cookies only need to bake 7 minutes! Yes, just 7 minutes and then take them out and let set on baking sheet for 3 or 4 more minutes before removing.

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This cookies is white yes, but it is fully cooked and so delicious. A little chewy, but loaded with flavor. I always add lemon peel and lemon juice and the marriage...

7 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

I'm a better stovetop cook than baker, but I am confused about this.
Most recipes I use just say to preheat the oven to your desired temperature, not to preheat for a specific amount of time.
I don't even preheat for casseroles and such that are more flexible in their cooking needs, so to speak. Seems like a waste of energy to me. While an empty oven is at 300 degrees, on its way up ...»
to 400, it could already be cooking my enchiladas.
On the other hand, I understand the need to preheat for cookies and such that require a short amount of time at a specific temperature, but I don't see where preheating for longer does anything but waste energy. If that were true, wouldn't a second batch of cookies always be better than the first (which I haven't found to be true)?

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Candylei Y Potomac, MD

I've talked to a French baker and they agreed that the air temperature is indeed correct, but when you open the oven door it immediately drops and the oven walls are not hot enough yet to retain temperature. So it starts to reheat again and may not be at correct temperature for 4 or more minutes. You can get an oven thermometer and check. By preheating longer when you put the first batch of cookies in they will bake perfect at 7 minutes.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

I love lavender! It's growing in quite a few of my plant beds. I have (and have used) lavender salt, and it's a great seasoning/herb. What ingredients are in this cookie that the lavender accents?

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

Steve, I've always been told if you're going to bake something for 1 hr. or more, there's no need to preheat, but I don't think that applies to bakery goods (ie. cheesecake, etc.). It would apply more to casseroles, roasts, etc..

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Candylei Y Potomac, MD

Lemon and lavender. Simple and delicious.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

O-o-o-h Yum-m-m-m!

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Becky, that's basically what I was trying to say in fewer and more intelligent words. Thank you. And Candylei, thanks for the clarification. I will keep this one in mind.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0