Honey Vanilla Cookies to Kickstart Jesi's Art

Have you heard of colony collapse disorder?  My friend Jesi, an artist based in Vermont, is working on a participatory project with a large installation about colony collapse disorder and the plight of the honeybee.  The coolest part is that she's creating a canvas for each person who sponsors her project, in different sizes depending on the amount you donate, and sending them out to her supporters after the show!  Her art is amazing and I can't wait to see what she creates for this show.

Jesi asked me to post a honey cookie recipe that she could bake to show her thanks to supporters who pledge $25 or more.  Her project only has one more day left on Kickstarter!  You can read about the project and donate here.  You should consider giving!  Even if you don't have $25 to give, give any amount and then make yourself these cookies!  Jesi and the honeybees will thank you.

Note: I hadn't used my honey in a while and it was totally crystallized!  Don't worry if that happens to you.  Just spoon out your honey into a glass jar and heat it in a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until it's clear and liquefied.  If you do this, let the honey cool down a little before you add it to the dough.



Ingredients (makes one dozen; adapted from this recipe on Lulu the Baker):

1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons cold salted butter, cubed (or use unsalted and add 1/2 teaspoon salt)
1/2 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons honey, plus extra for brushing
Flaky sea salt (I use Maldon), optional

In a food processor, blend the flour, sugar, and butter until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs.

Add the honey and vanilla bean seeds and pulse just until combined.  Use your hands to pat the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for half an hour or so.  Try not to eat all the dough at this point.  It's delicious!

Preheat the oven to 325.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick.  Using a cookie cutter or round jar, cut out cookies about 2 inches across.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are starting to brown around the edges.

Brush the cookies with honey while they're still warm, and sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt if desired. I love the salty and sweet combo, so I highly recommend it!