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Perfect Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread Cookies with Pastel Icing

Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread Cookies - featured image
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Delicate floral and citrus notes combine in these buttery, crumbly shortbread cookies infused with Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender, topped with a soft pastel icing perfect for tea parties or gifts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • Leaves from 2–3 Earl Grey tea bags, finely crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream (for icing)
  • Food coloring (optional, pastel shades)

Instructions

  1. Place softened unsalted butter in a mixing bowl. Open 2-3 Earl Grey tea bags and scrape out the leaves. Add crushed tea leaves to the butter and cream together for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Mix in granulated sugar and vanilla extract with the creamed butter. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, dried culinary lavender, and salt.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir gently until just combined; dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
  5. Shape dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and place 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Check after 15 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  9. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely before icing.
  10. Prepare pastel icing by mixing powdered sugar with milk or cream and add food coloring as desired. Stir until smooth and adjust consistency if needed.
  11. Decorate cooled cookies with icing using a spoon or piping bag. Let icing set for 20-30 minutes.

Notes

Use culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness. Crush tea leaves gently rather than grinding to powder to keep flavor bright. Chill dough well to prevent spreading. Thin layers of icing dry better and preserve texture. Dough can be chilled up to 24 hours before baking. For gluten-free, substitute almond flour but expect texture changes. Vegan version possible by substituting butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Earl Grey, lavender, shortbread cookies, pastel icing, tea party, floral cookies, buttery cookies, easy baking

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/perfect-earl-grey-lavender-shortbread-cookies-recipe-easy-pastel-icing-tutorial/