Lavender Drop Cookies

Mayne Island, British Columbia
This is a specialty recipe from the Avonlea West Island Retreat reprinted with permission of Virtual Cities.

makes: 36 cookies

12 sprigs fresh lavender
½ cup butter
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
grated rind of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
hazelnuts to decorate

Preheat oven at 350F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Peel off lavender florets. Cream butter and sugar. Add lemon zest, juice and vanilla. Beat in egg. Blend in dry ingredients. Dough will be sticky. Drop by teaspoon cookie sheet. Top with hazelnuts. Bake 15 minutes until light gold.