Ginger Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Nothing says the HOLIDAYS like rosemary and ginger together in a decadent, hand-held dessert! Not too sweet and bursting with flavor, this adaptation of a classic shortbread cookie adds savory, herbaceous elements to the cookie table. With a handful of simple ingredients, these unique Ginger Rosemary Shortbread Cookies are sure to become a favorite! Makes 30 cookies.
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A few years back, one of my sorority sisters mentioned something about some magical rosemary shortbread cookies she’d made.
I was skeptical. But I also wanted to try them because maybe THAT was a way to get my tastebuds to like rosemary again. (Because, you know, I went through some years where I did not dig it.)
Turns out—shocker—that the shortbread cookies did the trick!
Why I love this recipe:
The thing about this Ginger Rosemary Shortbread recipe is it’s decadent, but light.
The cookies are sweet, but not cloying and strike a beautiful balance of savory and sweet.
The rosemary adds herbaceousness to the cookies without overwhelming the buttery cookie base. The ginger adds a bit of a zing and some crunch to the sugar rolled on the outside.
When a friend bit into a cookie, she looked at me, somewhat perplexed, and said, “They taste… refreshing?”
And they are. A refreshing cookie, as bizarre as that sounds, and utterly delightful.
So if you’ve ever wanted to try a savory cookie and are unsure about the rosemary, take it from me, someone who normally cannot stand any amount of the herb: This Ginger Rosemary Shortbread is something you’ll want to try. I guarantee it.
Love shortbread cookies? Try these shortbread cookie recipes: Shortbread Brown Butter Cookies | Orange Raspberry Shortbread Cookies | Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies | Lemon Shortbread Cookies with Honey | Peanut Butter Shortbread Cookies with Raspberry-Orange Glaze | Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies
Need more cookie inspiration? Head over to my Cookie Recipe Index for more ideas!
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Sheet pan
- Nonstick baking mat
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Bowl
- Fine mesh strainer
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Microplane
- Wire cooling rack
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter— we’re using two sticks. Set it out 30-45 minutes before you plan to make the batter so it blends easily.
- Pure maple syrup—use the real deal kind, please and thank you. This adds some sweetness to the shortbread dough.
- Powdered sugar—also known as confectioners sugar. We’ll need this for the cookie dough. You may sift yours if there are chunks in it.
- All–purpose flour— we keep unbleached AP flour at our house, but you can use the regular kind, too.
- Kosher salt—I like to use a fine grain kosher salt here. You could also use a fine grain sea salt, too.
- Ginger—we’re using ground ginger in the cookie dough and fresh ginger in the coating for the cookies.
- Fresh rosemary—finely chopped, please and thank you. You can do this in the food processor or with a sharp knife on a cutting board.
- Granulated sugar—also known as white sugar, this adds a nice sweetness the exterior of the cookies.
How to make Ginger Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Cream the softened butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar together using a hand mixer in a large bowl.
Sift the flour, salt and ground ginger into a separate bowl. Measure in the fresh rosemary.
Whisk, then sprinkle into the wet ingredients, stirring until the batter just comes together.
Place a long piece of plastic wrap on the counter, and dollop the batter into the center.
Form a log shape, then seal by folding the plastic wrap over the cookie batter. Roll to create a rounded cookie log.
Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours. Overnight is ideal.
Bake the Rosemary Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
Combine the granulated sugar and the grated ginger in a small bowl. Mix together using a fork or a spoon.
Remove the cookie log from the refrigerator.
Sprinkle the ginger sugar onto a flat surface. Roll the dough log over it until the outside is coated.
Use a pastry scraper to slice the dough into half inch thick cookie rounds.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet, leaving an inch around each cookie.
Once all the cookies have been sliced and placed on their baking sheet(s), transfer to the freezer for a 10-minute chill.
We do this so that the shortbread cookies won’t spread in the oven.
Once chilled, transfer the baking sheet(s) to the preheated oven, and bake for 15-20 minutes. They’re done when the tops are golden brown.
Cool completely on a wire rack, then enjoy!
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
Shortbread cookies are some of my favorite HOLIDAY COOKIES because oh my word, they are so decadent and not too sweet and just perfect.
Here are some tips and tricks to making these beauties for a crowd:
- Double the recipe if you’re hosting several people OR wanting to share these goodies with friends and family this holiday season. I recommend putting them in pretty take out boxes* (affiliate link) so guests can see what they’re getting!
- Serve them at a Cookie Swap Party… but serve them on a separate platter since the rosemary and ginger are strong!
- Make them a day ahead of time. These cookies aren’t to be rushed. Cut yourself some slack and make ‘em the night before… but save the decorating for the day you share them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shortbread is a holiday classic for me, even though it doesn’t necessarily look festive (unless, of course, you’ve decorated yours accordingly.)
You could make these cookies year-round, too, but I find these charming and delicious for sharing during the holiday season.
Shortbread is a unique cookie recipe because it does not require eggs or a leavener, like baking soda or baking powder. These shortbread cookies are buttery with a crispy exterior, and they melt in your mouth.
I like to use powdered sugar in shortbread cookies because it yields a lighter, fluffier cookie.
We chill the shortbread before baking so that it can hold its shape in the oven.
Quick tips and tricks for the best shortbread cookies
- Start with softened butter. Your cookie dough will come together a lot easier!
- Chop the rosemary finely! Having large chunks of rosemary in cookies is off-putting. Take the time to chop it well so that it incorporates easily into the batter.
- How to store: When the cookies have cooled and the ganache has set, stack them on top of each other in a cookie tin. Keep for 3-4 days at room temperature.
So let’s celebrate by baking up something decadent and beautiful for the upcoming holidays.
Scroll on down to learn how to make this gorgeous Ginger Rosemary Shortbread! You’ll be glad you did!
Ginger Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks / 226g)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup 80g
- ½ cup powdered sugar 70g
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240g
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2g
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger 2g
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped (2g)
Ginger Sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100g
- ½ tablespoon grated fresh ginger 10g
Equipment
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Instructions
Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream the softened butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar together in a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sift the flour, salt and ground ginger into a separate bowl. Measure in the fresh rosemary. Whisk together.
- Sprinkle the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until the batter just comes together.
- Place a long piece of plastic wrap or wax paper on the countertop or a flat surface.
- Dollop the batter into the center of the plastic wrap to form a log shape.
- Seal by folding the plastic wrap over the cookie dough, then roll to create a rounded cookie log. It will be extremely soft, so you can roll it gently into the shape you'd like it to be.
- Chill the cookie dough log in the refrigerator for at least two hours. (I left mine overnight, and that was ideal.)
Make the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
- Combine the granulated sugar and the ginger in a small bowl. Mix together using a fork or a spoon.
- Remove the cookie log from the refrigerator.
- Sprinkle the ginger sugar onto a parchment-lined flat surface. (I did this on another sheet pan with parchment.)
- Roll the dough log over it until the outside is completely coated.
- Use a pastry scraper to cut the dough into ½" thick round cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1" around each cookie. They will spread just slightly in the oven.
- Once all the cookies have been sliced and placed on their baking sheet(s), transfer them to the freezer for a 10-minute chill. This helps the cookies keep their shape better in the oven and can be skipped, though they will spread more if you skip this step.
- Once chilled, transfer the baking sheet(s) to the preheated oven.
- Bake 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are slightly golden.
- Cool on a wire rack, then enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
lately, i have been obsessed with rosemary too and i love how you baked with it. looks very good.
YUM! These cookies look so delicious and perfect for Christmas ♥
Yaaaaaas shortbread lovers unite! I’m obsessed with the idea of adding rosemary to shorbread cookies – it sounds so flavorful and tasty! Definitely a beautiful treat to share with family during the holidays 🙂
These look really yummy and so perfect for the holidays!
Ginger, Rosemary.. Shortbread… Interesting!!!! I will have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing!!!
Looks delicious. Love, love shortbread cookies!
I, too, cannot keep plants alive. I do, however, love rosemary! And I love refreshing cookies 🙂 This sounds like an amazing flavor combination that definitely deserves a try!
These cookies look wonderful and seem like the perfect holiday delights! <3
Thank you, Bethany! They truly are a delightful cookie to bake during the holidays, though I’m sure they’d be delicious now, too! Happy baking. 🙂