These beautiful Edible Flower Pistachio Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies are sure to wow your guests when they see them, and again when they taste them! Plus, how to select edible flowers.
Pistachios + Flowers: this gluten-free shortbread recipe has a California vibe.
As you may know, I'm a California-grown farm girl, proudly wearing boots in the field on my family's ranches in the center on the Golden State. So, y'all can imagine how excited I was when the folks from CA Grown asked me to create an ecookbook full of simple, seasonal recipes highlighting all the goodness raised here. Of course I included gluten-free versions of every dish. You can download it (Free!) right here. These pretty cookies are featured in the cookbook, and they've become one of my favorite recipes.
About these gluten-free shortbread cookies:
Inspired by Chef Loria Stern’s Instagram-sensation edible flower cookies, these buttery-crisp shortbreads feature pretty green flecks and fabulous crunch courtesy of pistachios.
California grows the flowers, and the nuts!
California is America’s leading producer of high-quality cut flowers and greens – growing over 75% of all domestic cut flowers in the United States. That includes culinary grade flowers, so when you see an orchid on your dessert or a snapdragon in your salad, there’s a good chance it’s California Grown. It also means that if you'd like to support local farmers, asking for American-grown blooms and greens is a great place to start. California is also home to 99% of the nation's pistachio crop.
Where to find edible flowers/ flowers that are safe to eat:
Many varieties of flowers are edible, but you’ll want to be certain the ones you’re using are culinary-grade. That means they’ve been grown and packed in conditions that are food-safe. You can order edible flowers online, or from some florists or grocery stores. Farmer’s markets are also a great source for edible blooms. When I can't find edible flowers locally, I order mine here.
You can also use fresh herbs along with the blooms, which are easier to find.
Choosing Edible Flowers for Cookies:
You can use any edible flowers you like. Pansies, violas, nasturtium, dianthus, and borage blossoms all work well. I also use parsley leaves and mint leaves often. Remember that the flowers or herbs may add flavor to the cookies, so you want ones that taste as good as they look. Fresh basil is pretty, but it doesn't bake well and the flavor isn't great with the sugar topping on the cookies. Rose petals can overpower the light flavor of the cookies, so I choose other blooms.
How many cookies does this gluten-free shortbread recipe make?
This recipe makes 24-30 cookies, depending on the size you cut them and thickness of the dough. Chopping the nuts finely makes for more usable dough. When you make you first batch (or your twelfth) - please share them with me @gfreefoodie on Instagram. Happy baking!
Edible Flower Pistachio Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend I like Pamela's Products or King Arthur, make certain your blend contains baking binder, or add your own)
- ½ cup cane sugar plus more for sprinkling
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ pound (½ cup) butter, softened
- ¼ cup pistachios finely chopped
- Edible flowers: we recommend pansy, viola, nasturtium, dianthus, and borage blossom
- 1 TBSP water* (if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the butter, mix with a spoon until combined. Scatter the pistachio pieces over the dough and knead with hands until the dough comes together and is smooth. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 10 minutes.
- *(This dough is a bit coarse/crumbly, and will need to be kneaded together and formed by hand. If the dough if too crumbly to form into a disc for chilling, you can add up to 1 tablespoon water, a but at a time, to get it to bind. If your pistachios aren;t chopped finely as noted, that could also be a problem.)
- Remove dough from refrigerator and place between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll dough to about ¼ inch thickness and cut out cookies with a 1 ½ inch round cutter, and place them on the lined baking sheet. Artfully place the flowers or individual petals on the cookies and press gently into the dough.
- Bake on the center rack of the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn slightly golden. Remove from the oven and sprinkle immediately with sugar, then allow to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Sponsored by California Grown. All opinions are my own. But you knew that. Edible Flower Cookies photography by: James Collier
Looking for savory gluten-free shortbread? We've got that too:
Alison's Goat Butter Shortbread: Gluten-Free Cracker Recipe
This gluten-free shortbread cracker recipe has been missing from your wine tasting menu. Now you can fill the gap.
Frequently asked questions about Edible Flower Cookies:
Pansies, violas, nasturtium, dianthus, and borage blossoms can all be used in baking, and work well on these cookies. Roses are also great for baking, as long as you enjoy the (sometimes strong) rose flavor. Herbs like mint and parsley also do well in baked goods, and blend well with the flavors of edible flowers.
Yes! When topping cookies or crackers, you want to use a cookie recipe that bakes at a lower temperature and for no more than 15 minutes so the flowers don't burn. Edible flowers can be blended into doughs and batters as well. Flowers are also great in frsitings or ice cream.
Edible flowers can be ordered online, or from some florists or grocery stores. Farmer’s markets are also a great source for edible blooms. When I can't find them locally, I order edible flowers online here.
A shortbread or similar crisp cookie dough that bakes quickly is best for topping with edible flowers.
No, you don't need to press the flowers before baking. The petals should stick to the cookie dough pretty well, and anything sticking up adds a lovely texture to the cookies.
No. Most edible flowers can be baked fresh. Drying in advance actually increases the chances of the petals burning.
Both Pamela’s Gluten-Free Artisan Blend or King Arthur Measure for Measure blend make great gluten-free shortbread.
Marilyn says
If I choose regular all purpose flour,do I need to add baking powder?
K.C. Cornwell says
I've never tried it with regular flour Marilyn, but I wouldn't think so!
Kellie Lane says
How much Butter? The recipe says “ 1/4 pound 1/2 cup butter” should that be1/4 lb “or” 1/2 cup?
Karen Stagg says
if your butter comes in "sticks" 4 sticks to a pound, one stick is a 1/4 lb and it's also 1/2 cup (for those whose butter isn't divided)
Lara says
Thank you for the recipe. I too am confused about the amount of butter needed. Would you clarify the amount for us? Thank you!
K.C. Cornwell says
It's 1/4 pound OR 1/2 cup - those measurements are the same.
Fiona says
I couldn’t roll the biscuit dough. It was very crumbly even though I added more butter. I had to roll into balls and flatten out.
Helen says
I to am having trouble with the recipe . The flour will not come together.
Jenni says
Same here
K.C. Cornwell says
Because this is shortbread, the dough is a bit coarse and needs to be compacted by hand. See notes about adding water if necessary, and make certain your flour blend has a baking binder, and that the nuts are finely chopped.
K.C. Cornwell says
The dough is a bit coarse and needs to be compacted by hand. See notes about adding water if necessary, and make certain your flour blend has a baking binder, and that the nuts are finely chopped.
Monica says
Hello KC. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I absolutely love it! been making it for a few weeks now, subbed the butter for vegan butter and it's just such a hit at home.
I have however run into a problem on my most recent batch. The first few times I used fennel and violas, this time i used diathus and they just curled up and didn't adhere to the dough at all. Do you have any tips for how to make them stick a bit better?
I appreciate any help, thank you in advance.
K.C. Cornwell says
I would pull the dianthus petals and place them on the cookies individually instead of using the whole bloom. It may also be the butter sub you're using - maybe just add a tiny bit of water to your finger to make the dough a bit tacky when applying the petals.
Erika says
My flowers burned. Any tips on how to retain the beautiful color and form of the flowers?
K.C. Cornwell says
Erika - make sure the flowers are completely pressed into the dough - you can wet your finger with a bit of water to stick the petals down.
Teresa says
I want to make these as an option for a wedding reception cookie buffet. My question is whether or not they can be frozen once they're baked. I may or may not use the edible flowers. Since I'll be baking an abundance of cookies (several cookie options), I need cookies that will freeze well and be just as delicious once they're thawed. Thank you!
K.C. Cornwell says
You could certainly freeze the cookies without the flowers. I would actually freeze the dough instead, and then bake with the flowers 2-3 days ahead, as these cookies hold well, and the flowers would be pretty for the wedding.