And the secret ingredient is....

....Rosemary!

Whoulda' thought? I admit, I consider rosemary to be more of an herb for savory uses...not so much the sweet things. But I have reconsidered.

I found this recipe for Rosemary-Lemon Sandwich Cookies over on the Better Homes and Garden site. I had (still have) such an over-abundance of meyer lemon juice that I was searching for something lemony and different to use them up. I didn't want lemon bars again...or lemon bread. (I made 2 of Ina's loaves) I was looking for something different.

These cookies are wonderful! Not too sweet with just a hint of the rosemary coming through. They are basically a tender lemon sugar cookie sandwiched with the to-die-for mixture of lemon curd and mascarpone cheese.

I didn't make my own lemon curd because I had a jar of TJ's curd in the pantry.

I could down this mixture in one sitting...no problem!

I made the cookies a head of time and then just put them in a ziploc in the freezer for an opportunity to present itself. The opportunity was last night. A appetizer and cocktail get together with some old friends from high school. I brought these little gems along with the mallow cookies I made (another post, another time). Both were a big hit.

I loved that these were made in one bowl....less dishes! Super easy. I think next time I might actually sprinkle a little coarse salt on the top of the cookies before putting them in the oven. It would have cut the sweetness of the filling a little and brought out the rosemary a bit more.

....because I will be making these again, for sure!

Thanks for stopping by.

**Update....a friend suggested these cookies could be made into thumbprints! I agree. Indent the cookies before putting them in the oven and when they come out and cool....fill with the lemon curd/mascarpone filling. HEAVEN!