Chamomile Sugar Cookies with Strawberry Icing

a spring cookie inspired by the wildflowers of Sea Ranch

every spring, i come up with a new cookie recipe for my dad. he’s obsessed with cookies but also incredibly picky, so it’s kind of a challenge. this year it’s a chamomile sugar cookie with a strawberry-chamomile icing.

i wanted it to rival last year’s lemon pistachio cookie, which he called—and i quote—the best cookie he’s ever eaten. no pressure. these turned out soft, buttery and insanely chewy with this subtle floral thing going on that makes them feel like something you'd buy from a bakery on a really good day.

i steeped chamomile straight into the butter and sugar, mixed the dough, then topped them with icing made from macerated strawberries and a little lemon. i honestly surprised myself with how good these tuned out and i think he’s gonna love em too.

Chamomile Sugar Cookies with Strawberry Icing

makes about 18 cookies

for the cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 220g) unsalted butter