Easy & Elegant Rosewater Shortbread Petals

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Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread with a whisper of rose—just right for a spring garden gathering.

Every spring, I look for a way to bring the beauty of flowers into my baking—and shortbread has always been my favorite canvas. There’s something so elegant and timeless about a perfectly tender cookie, especially when it’s shaped like a little petal and kissed with fragrant rosewater.

These Rosewater Shortbread Petals are the essence of gentle celebration. They’re simple, soft, and subtly floral—just enough to feel special without being overwhelming. I love to gift them in tiny boxes tied with ribbon, or serve them on a vintage china plate at a Mother’s Day tea party. They’re like tiny love notes in cookie form.

📌 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 🥀 Fragrant and floral—but not overpowering
• 🧈 Ultra tender texture that melts in your mouth
• 🍪 Perfect for gifting or tea trays
• 🌸 Naturally colored with hibiscus or beet powder (optional)
• ✨ Just 6 ingredients and no fancy tools required

📌 Quick Reference Section

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: 30–60 minutes
• Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: ~24 small cookies
• Dietary Info: Vegetarian

Key Ingredients at a Glance:
Butter, flour, sugar, rosewater, cornstarch, optional natural coloring

📌 Ingredients List

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp rosewater (use culinary-grade only)
• 1/4 tsp salt

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1/2 tsp beet powder or hibiscus powder (for blush-pink petals)
• Coarse sugar or edible flower petals for topping

📌 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

🧈 Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add rosewater and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt (plus beet/hibiscus powder if using).
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be soft but should hold together.

❄️ Chill the Dough

5. Turn dough out onto parchment paper and shape into a disc. Wrap and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes, or until firm.

🌸 Cut and Bake

6. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
7. Roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a flower or teardrop cutter to shape petal cookies.
8. Transfer to baking sheet, sprinkle with sugar or flower petals if desired.
9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just barely golden. Do not overbake.

🌬 Cool and Finish

10. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
11. Once completely cool, you can drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of rosewater if you’d like a sweeter finish.

📌 Serving & Pairing Ideas

• Serve with black tea, rose tea, or green tea with jasmine
• Pair with panna cotta or fruit curd for an elevated dessert plate
• Wrap in wax paper or tuck into mini boxes for party favors

📌 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Storage: Keep in an airtight tin or jar for up to 5 days
• Make-Ahead: Freeze dough before cutting; thaw slightly before rolling
• Freezing: Baked cookies freeze well for up to 1 month (no glaze)

📌 Final Thoughts

There’s something deeply feminine and peaceful about baking with flowers—and these Rosewater Shortbread Petals feel like a sweet little prayer of gratitude. Whether you’re sharing them at a garden table or savoring one quietly with your morning tea, I hope they bring beauty and joy to your day.

🫖 If you bake a batch, tag me on Instagram @SouthernSoils or leave a comment—I love seeing how you celebrate with garden-inspired recipes!

🌸 Continue your tea party with:

• Lavender Honey Madeleines
• Chamomile Vanilla Panna Cotta Cups
• Blueberry Earl Grey Tea Cakes