Peace, Love, and Chamomile Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delightful cookies perfectly blend the comforting flavors of traditional chocolate chip cookies with a unique twist of chamomile tea, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and floral notes. The use of honey adds a gentle touch of natural sweetness, while the almond milk keeps them moist. Ideal for a cozy afternoon treat or a thoughtful gift, these cookies are both approachable and creatively inspired.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chamomile tea, brewed and cooled
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile leaves, ground
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup almond milk (or more as needed)
• Green food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. In a small bowl, brew chamomile tea and allow it to cool.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and honey until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Mix in the cooled chamomile tea (and green food coloring, if using) to the butter-sugar mixture.
6. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and ground chamomile leaves.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. If the dough is too dry, add almond milk a tablespoon at a time until it reaches a workable consistency.
8. Fold in the chocolate chips.
9. Cover the dough and freeze it for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
10. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness at 10 minutes. They should be lightly golden around the edges.
12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.