A Cozy Holiday Treat With a Science Twist
In honor of our latest blog on rosmarinic acid, we created a festive, better-for-you holiday cookie that celebrates this powerful plant compound in the most delicious way.
If you read our recent article on rosmarinic acid, you already know why it has become one of our favorite plant compounds to talk about. It naturally appears in herbs like rosemary, mint, and perilla seed—plants that have been used for centuries. Modern research shows that rosmarinic acid helps the body support antioxidant defenses, maintain normal inflammatory balance, and keep cells protected from everyday stressors*.
(*For a deeper breakdown of these structure/function benefits, see our full blog on rosmarinic acid.)
As we were researching that topic, we thought:
Why not bring this into the holiday kitchen?
And that's how this recipe was born.
A soft, lightly sweet Rosemary Lemon Oat Cookie made with:
- Rosemary-infused honey
- Lemon-infused olive oil
- Oats as the base
- Ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
This cookie is cozy, bright, and aromatic without being overloaded with sugar. I even enjoyed two with my tea and didn't feel over-sugared or weighed down.
It's a gentle, beautiful way to enjoy the flavors of rosemary and citrus while giving your body a plant-powered ingredient known for supporting natural antioxidant pathways.*
(*Again, see our recent blog, What in the World is Rosmarinic Acid?)
A Quick Note Before You Start
Don't let the fancy word "infusion" intimidate you.
I'm not a professional baker, and you don't have to be either.
Infusing simply means:
- zest a lemon and let it sit in olive oil
- chop some rosemary and warm it gently in honey for 5–10 minutes
That's it.
No techniques, no special tools.
Just real ingredients coming together in a super simple, super satisfying recipe.
Why This Cookie Works
Most holiday cookies rely on heavy butter, cups of sugar, and refined flour.
This version is everything those are not.
We use:
- Oats for texture and a hearty base
- Olive oil instead of butter
- Honey infused with fresh rosemary
- Lemon zest bloomed in olive oil to bring out natural citrus oils
- Only a few tablespoons of honey for the entire batch
The result tastes like:
a shortbread-meets-oat-cookie with a holiday herbal twist.
Rosemary Lemon Oat Cookies
Healthy Holiday Edition
Makes 10–12 cookies
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oat flour (150 g)
- ½ cup rolled oats (50 g)
- ½ tsp baking powder (2 g)
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt (1 g)
- 1–2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (1–2 g)
- Zest of 1 lemon (2–3 g)
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil (60 ml)
- 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (45 ml)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 1 egg
Instructions
1. Infuse the Honey (Flavor Step #1)
Warm the honey with one or two sprigs of fresh rosemary over very low heat for 5–10 minutes.
It should be warm, not bubbling.
Remove the rosemary and let the honey cool.
2. Infuse the Olive Oil (Flavor Step #2)
While the honey is warming, combine the olive oil and lemon zest in a small bowl.
Let it sit for 5 minutes to release the citrus oils.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
oat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, salt, chopped rosemary, and the lemon zest if you prefer not to infuse them first.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
To the olive oil/lemon zest mixture, add the cooled rosemary honey, vanilla, and egg.
Whisk until smooth.
5. Combine
Pour the wet mixture into the dry.
Stir until a thick dough forms.
Let it rest for 5 minutes so the oats can hydrate.
6. Shape
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough (25 g), roll into balls, and gently flatten on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.
Cool fully to let the cookies set.
The Final Cookie
These cookies are:
- Soft and lightly chewy
- Not too sweet
- Filled with warm rosemary and bright citrus
- A guilt-free holiday treat
- Even better the next day as the flavors deepen
They pair perfectly with tea, coffee, or a quiet moment before the holiday rush.
If You Want to Learn More About Rosmarinic Acid
This recipe is a fun, seasonal extension of our recent deep dive into rosmarinic acid—what it is, where it's found, and how it supports your body's natural balance.
Read the full article here:
What in the World is Rosmarinic Acid?
Disclaimer
This recipe is for general wellness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
