Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies offer a delicate, buttery treat infused with the subtle floral notes of Earl Grey tea. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, they bring a charming twist to classic shortbread.

Ingredients

• 10 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1 tsp Earl Grey extract (or vanilla extract for a creamy shortbread)
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tsp finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a food processor cup, combine the room temperature butter, icing sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, finely ground Earl Grey leaves, and Earl Grey extract (or vanilla extract if preferred).
2. Step 2: Pulse the mixture until a dough forms.
3. Step 3: Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each into a log about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter.
4. Step 4: Wrap each dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Step 6: Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough logs into ¼ to ½ inch thick pieces.
7. Step 7: Arrange the cookie slices on a lined baking pan, leaving at least an inch between each.
8. Step 8: Bake for about 10 minutes until the cookies are just barely golden at the bottom.
9. Step 9: Remove the cookies and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a smoother texture, sift the flour and icing sugar before mixing.
• Try substituting the Earl Grey extract with vanilla extract for a classic shortbread flavor.
• Use finely ground tea leaves to avoid a gritty texture in the cookies.
• Chilling the dough longer than one hour can help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies in a sealed bag for up to three months. Reheat briefly in a warm oven if you prefer them slightly warm before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use loose leaf Earl Grey tea instead of extract?

Yes, finely grind the loose leaf Earl Grey tea before adding it to ensure an even flavor and avoid a coarse texture. You can omit the extract or use both for a stronger tea flavor.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

You can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly. Ensure your vegan butter is solid and chilled for best results.

Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

Delight in these buttery Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies infused with fragrant Earl Grey tea leaves and extract, creating a delicate tea-flavored treat perfect for afternoon tea or a sweet snack.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shortbread Dough

• 10 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1 tsp Earl Grey Extract (or vanilla extract as a substitute)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tsp finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor cup, add room temperature butter, icing sugar, all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, finely ground Earl Grey leaves, and Earl Grey extract (or vanilla extract if preferred).
2. Form Dough: Pulse the mixture in the food processor until the dough comes together, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Shape Logs: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll each portion into a log approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter for even cookie sizes.
4. Chill Dough: Wrap each dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step firms up the dough to make slicing easier and helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
5. Preheat Oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking heat by the time you slice and prepare the cookies.
6. Slice Cookies: Using a sharp knife, cut the chilled dough logs into ¼ to ½ inch thick slices carefully to maintain uniform thickness.
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cookie slices onto a lined baking pan, spacing them at least an inch apart to prevent spreading into each other.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are just turning golden, indicating they are perfectly baked with a tender texture.
9. Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving to ensure they firm up properly.

Notes

• Substitute Earl Grey extract with vanilla extract for a creamy vanilla shortbread variation.
• Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better dough texture.
• Do not overbake; shortbread cookies are done when just lightly golden on the bottom to maintain their tender, crumbly texture.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
• Finely grind the Earl Grey tea leaves before adding to avoid a gritty texture in the cookies.

Keywords: Earl Grey cookies, shortbread, tea-flavored cookies, British dessert, buttery cookies, Earl Grey tea recipe, elegant cookie recipe