Earl Grey Cookies

Earl Grey cookies are a delicious addition to any tea party, or Mother’s Day, and can make any gathering a bit posh, don’t you think? 

Tea and biscuits in the UK are just tea and cookies in the US, so why not make these Earl Grey cookies for a delicious addition for your cup of tea?

Disclaimer: this post is written by Christina’s daughter, Denisa.

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Last year, I perfected the quintessential tea-infused sugar cookie recipe. I used chai as my tea of choice, even though I do normally prefer black tea or Earl Grey for sipping, and they were unexpectedly tasty.

 

I have brought them to parties, served them for dessert, and as an afternoon snack. Each time I bring them somewhere, there is always at least one person who requests the recipe. I’ve actually been tracked down at a party when a guest asked who made them!

Bet you wouldn’t have guessed these Earl Grey tea cookies were actually inspired by Taylor Swift’s chai cookie recipe!

Taylor originally shared this handwritten recipe in 2014, and these chai tea cookies were so good, I was kicking myself for waiting 10 years to try the recipe. I immediately knew they would be equally as fantastic when made with other teas.

When news of Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” broke, I knew that a different flavor of tea was in order. Thus, the earl grey cookie was born.

Fret not, these cookies aren’t just for Swifties (…but have you HEARD Evermore?). They’re refreshingly easy to make, and only take a few staple ingredients.

The Earl Grey flavor in this cookie is a bit more delicate than the chai, so the addition of bergamot syrup in the icing adds a tanginess to the cookie that balances the sweetness perfectly. 

In case you’re wondering where the idea to add bergamot came from, it is actually the citrus that flavors Earl Grey tea. The oil is used to infuse the leaves, so adding bergamot to the icing pairs very nicely. You won’t need this syrup as you can add a squeeze of citrus instead, but it’s a lovely addition and comes from Italy, so you can’t go wrong.

Can I use Any Tea in this Recipe?

I don’t see why not. I’ve tried chai and now Earl Grey, but other teas are sure to add a slight difference in flavor. I recommend only using bagged tea, though, as loose leaf may contain larger leaves, unless you crush them in a mortar and pestle. 

For What Occasion Should I Make Earl Grey Cookies?

Any occasion will do, but they are especially suitable for a tea party, and would make a perfect, light dessert for Mother’s Day. I have made these tea cookies as part of an array with cream puffs and scones for an afternoon tea party.

Trust me—your mom will be impressed (and maybe in for a little sugar high).

Directions

Make the Earl Grey Cookie Dough

Beat the butter until creamy, then add the oil.

Next, add the sugar, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla and continue to beat until smooth.

Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and contents of the tea bag and pour it into the bowl.

Chill the soft Earl Grey cookie dough for about 1 hour or even overnight.

Form cookie dough balls into approximately 2” balls. Add to a greased cookie sheet or silicone lined cookie tray. About 8 cookies should fit on each tray. I used this cookie scoop.

When I finished the dough, I realized I had made 22 cookies. You can’t make this stuff up (Taylor Swift fans will know what I mean).

Press slightly to even out the cookies.

Bake for approximately 9 or 10 minutes. The Earl Grey tea cookies should be slightly golden, but the edges should not be brown. They won’t look super well done, that’s okay.

Shake it off, and remove the cookies with a spatula to cool completely on a wire rack, Just be careful when removing them as the cookies are quite delicate right from the oven.

Make the Icing

While the cookies cool, prepare the icing.

Combine powdered sugar, whole milk, and bergamot syrup. Stir until smooth. Icing shouldn’t be too thick, but not runny enough to take a getaway car off the edge of the cookies. Add less milk to start, and add more as needed.

Cover the Earl Grey tea cookies with icing. Sprinkle some orange zest over the cookies while the icing is still wet, if desired. Allow the icing to set before serving.

Make a cup of tea, light a candle, have a listen to the “Tortured Poets Department,” and enjoy and Earl Grey cookie, like me!

If you loved these Earl Grey cookies, you’ll love my mother’s recipes for shortbread, Empire biscuits and custard creams—British staples in the afternoon tea department. 

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