St. Anastasia Island Herbal Honey Cookies are inspired by the ancient dessert traditions of Bulgaria’s only inhabited island: a place where simplicity, nature, and history blend into unforgettable flavors.
Made with calming herbs like lemon balm and lavender, and sweetened with golden local honey, these cookies capture the essence of Black Sea monastic life.
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St. Anastasia Island
St. Anastasia Island is a tiny yet legendary speck of land nestled in the Black Sea, just 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from the Bulgarian coastal city of Burgas. Barely more than a rocky hill rising from the sea, it holds an outsized place in Bulgaria’s cultural and historical memory. With its red-roofed monastery, black volcanic rocks, lighthouse, and the ever-present sound of gulls, the island feels like a place lost in time.
Known historically as the Monastery Island, St. Anastasia has worn many masks: a sacred refuge for monks in the Middle Ages, a place of political exile during Bulgaria’s turbulent 20th century, and now, a peaceful cultural and tourist sanctuary. The island’s charm lies not in luxury but in simplicity: weathered stone walls, wild herbs clinging to cracks, and the salty air infused with stories whispered by the sea.
Desserts from this island were never elaborate, they were born from monastic austerity and local abundance. With no access to fancy patisserie ingredients, the monks and later island caretakers relied on natural sweetness from honey, aromatic herbs, and coastal ingredients like sea salt and wildflowers. These humble ingredients became the soul of island sweets, meant to soothe, nourish, and sometimes, heal.
Why St. Anastasia Island Herbal Honey Cookies Are So Special
The St. Anastasia Island Herbal Honey Cookies are not just sweet treats; they are a tribute to the island’s healing herbs, local honey, and the humble lifestyle of its past residents. We use lemon balm and lavender, two herbs historically used by monks for calming teas and ointments, combined with golden honey and a hint of sea salt for a subtle echo of the sea.
Recipe: St. Anastasia Island Herbal Honey Cookies
The St. Anastasia Herbal Honey Cookies are more than just a treat; they capture the serene essence of monastic life, the simplicity of coastal living, and the rich traditions of Bulgaria. When you savor these cookies, you are not just enjoying a snack; you are experiencing a piece of St. Anastasia Island’s charm and warmth. Each bite offers a moment of connection to this beautiful place, inviting you to pause and appreciate the little joys in life.
- Serves: 10 cookies (approx. 5 servings)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 12 minutes
- Calories: ~120 kcal per cookie (approx. 600 kcal per serving)
- Recipe Cuisine: Bulgarian / Balkan / monastery-style / island-inspired
- Recipe Keywords: St. Anastasia Island herbal honey cookies, Bulgarian herb cookies, monastery dessert, traditional Bulgarian recipe, herbal sweet, island baking, Balkan sweets
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup (80ml) Bulgarian-style honey (or any floral honey)
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp dried lemon balm (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp dried lavender flowers (culinary grade)
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- Optional: pinch of lemon zest for extra freshness
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, honey, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the lemon balm, lavender, and optional lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are just set.
- Let cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Serve With:
A cup of herbal tea or cold ayran. Close your eyes and imagine the waves lapping at the stones of the island chapel.
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