Mahlab-Scented Shortbread Cookies
When I brought my holiday cookies to work, my friend Laura said that one of my creations reminded her of a spice that her grandmother used in many of her baked goods. The spice is mahlab, an aromatic spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry, which has been used for centuries in the Middle East. Mahlab has a tart cherry taste with overtones of lemon. I sourced the mahlab at a NYC spice store in Little India and added them to my shortbread cookies with great results. Continue Reading →