The (in)credible science 

Use organic fruits in your cooking to boost nutrition and keep toxic chemicals out of the environment! Organic produce like berries have up to 69% more antioxidants than conventional. Plus, organic farming conserves resources and keeps our drinking water clean of synthetic farming chemicals.

The Recipe 

These Lemon Elderberry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, sweet, and loaded with fabulous flavor - with no rolling, cutting out, or patting! Organic elderberry improves the immune system and calms inflammation. Get Dr. Nettles Organic Elderberry Tulsi tea bags to make her delicious shortbreads!

Ingredients 

• 3 Dr. Nettles Organic Elderberry Tulsi tea bags (Steep in organic apple juice) 
•  ½ cup organic apple juice 
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour or almond flour
• ⅔ cup dried Dr. Nettles Organic Elderberries
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• Finely grated zest from 2 small lemons 
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup white sugar plus additional for sprinkling
• 1/4 cup dried organic elderberries

Instructions

• Combine Dr. Nettles Organic Elderberry Tulsi tea bags 3 and organic apple juice add to a tea kettle and steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Let the tea mixture cool. Strain liquid and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 325˚F (150˚C). Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir well, then add cooled the tea mixture and lemon zest. Stir again, then set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together, until light and fluffy.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients, including the dried elderberry mix until completely combined.
• With a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop dough onto prepared sheet pans, 1 ½ inches apart. I use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop (size and number of cookies will depend on the size of your scoop). Sprinkle each cookie lightly with sugar and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe Notes 

• I like to use the tiny dried wild elderberries from our farm for these cookies. If you can’t find them or want to use regular dried elderberries coarsely chop them before adding to the flour mixture.
• I use a 2 tablespoon size cookie scoop and get about 2 dozen cookies - size and number of cookies will depend on the size of your scoop.