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.

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 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

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

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!