If you love tea time treats with a gentle twist of sophistication, then you will absolutely adore these Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies. These buttery, tender cookies infused with the distinctive floral and bergamot notes of Earl Grey tea create a beautifully aromatic bite that feels both cozy and elegant. Perfect for sharing with friends or gifting homemade goodies, Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies are a delightful way to elevate your dessert game with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing the buttery texture and delicate flavor of Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies. Each ingredient plays its part in creating the perfect balance between rich, crumbly shortbread and the subtle citrusy aroma of Earl Grey tea.
- Butter (unsalted, room temperature): Provides the rich, tender base that makes the cookies melt in your mouth.
- Icing sugar: Adds sweetness and a smooth texture, ensuring the cookies stay delicate without grit.
- Earl Grey extract or vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with that signature bergamot flavor; use vanilla for a creamier twist.
- All-purpose flour: The structure of your shortbread, giving it the classic crumbly but sturdy texture.
- Fine sea salt: Enhances every flavor, balancing the sweetness and brightness from the tea.
- Finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves: Delivers authentic Earl Grey taste and a lovely flecked appearance in each bite.
How to Make Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
Place the soft butter, icing sugar, flour, fine sea salt, Earl Grey leaves, and your choice of Earl Grey extract or vanilla extract into a food processor. Pulse these together gently until the dough just starts to come together — a perfect dough for tender, buttery cookies.
Step 2: Shape and Chill the Dough
Divide that dough in half, then carefully roll each portion into logs about 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Wrapping these logs in plastic wrap and chilling them for at least one hour is a must—it firms up the dough and lets the Earl Grey flavors develop beautifully.
Step 3: Preheat and Slice
While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. When ready, unwrap your logs and use a sharp knife to slice the dough into cookies ¼ to ½ inch thick—thickness impacts how crisp or tender each cookie turns out.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Arrange the sliced cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to space them at least one inch apart for even baking. Slide them into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, watching closely until the edges just start to turn golden. Once baked, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack—this keeps them from becoming soggy and helps preserve that shortbread crunch.
How to Serve Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Garnishes
Elevate your Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies by sprinkling a tiny pinch of powdered sugar or finely chopped crystallized ginger on top. These simple additions add a delightful visual appeal and a complementary zing that pairs beautifully with the tea notes.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a warm cup of loose-leaf Earl Grey tea or even a rich chamomile tea is pure magic. If you want a more indulgent pairing, a spoonful of clotted cream or a light berry compote works wonderfully alongside the subtle citrus flavors in the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming gift, stack a dozen Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies tied with a rustic twine or place them in a decorated jar layered with tissue paper. You can also arrange them on a platter surrounded by fresh lavender sprigs or citrus slices for a natural touch that echoes the cookies’ flavor profile.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, your leftover Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and crisp for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat that always tastes like they’re freshly baked.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies even longer, freeze the dough logs before baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready, just slice and bake straight from the freezer with a minute or two extra baking time.
Reheating
Because they’re shortbread, reheating isn’t always necessary, but if you’d like them warm, pop your cookies in a preheated 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked warmth without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use regular black tea instead of Earl Grey?
Yes, you can substitute regular black tea leaves, but you will miss out on the distinct bergamot flavor that makes these cookies special. For a closer match, try adding a few drops of bergamot extract or zest from a grapefruit or lemon.
What if I don’t have an Earl Grey extract?
You can simply swap in vanilla extract, which provides a sweet, creamy note. While it won’t have the citrusy brightness of bergamot, your shortbread cookies will still be deliciously tender and flavorful.
How do I ensure the cookies stay crumbly and don’t get too hard?
The key is using quality butter at room temperature and not overworking the dough during mixing. Baking just until edges start to turn golden will keep your cookies delightfully tender and crumbly.
Can I add other flavors to these cookies?
Absolutely! Adding a tablespoon of lemon or orange zest can enhance the citrus notes. Or try incorporating lavender for a floral touch, which pairs gorgeously with Earl Grey’s bergamot.
How long will these cookies keep?
Stored in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh up to a week at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing the dough or the baked cookies ensures you can enjoy them whenever the mood strikes.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about the comforting aroma of Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies baking in the oven and the luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture these little delights offer. Whether you’re making them for a relaxing afternoon tea or as a thoughtful gift, these cookies never fail to brighten the day. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and share the warm smiles that come with every bite!
PrintEarl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies are delicate, buttery tea-infused treats that combine the fragrant aroma of Earl Grey tea with a classic shortbread texture. Made with simple ingredients and prepared in just a few easy steps using a food processor, these cookies are perfect for gifting or enjoying alongside your favorite cup of tea.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 14 minutes
- Yield: 40 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Shortbread Dough
- 10 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon Earl Grey extract (or vanilla extract for a creamy shortbread)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves
Instructions
- Prepare dough: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, icing sugar, all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, finely ground Earl Grey leaves, and Earl Grey extract (or vanilla extract if preferred). Pulse the mixture until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape dough logs: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a log approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter.
- Chill dough: Wrap each dough log tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up for easier slicing and better cookie shape.
- Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Slice cookies: Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough logs into cookies about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced at least 1 inch apart to allow even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 9 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are just barely golden.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a floral variation, use Earl Grey Lavender tea and replace vanilla extract with lavender extract to intensify the lavender flavor.
- Add 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus Earl Grey twist.