London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe

If you’ve ever been enchanted by that cozy, floral cup of London Fog tea and thought, “Hey, I wish I could snack on this,” then you’re going to absolutely adore this London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe. I discovered this recipe on a chilly afternoon, and honestly, it felt like biting into a sweet, buttery hug infused with the subtle sophistication of Earl Grey and a hint of lavender. Stick around—I’m going to share all the secrets and little tips I’ve picked up, so you’ll end up with cookies that are just as dreamy as a perfect cup of tea.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe works together to create that signature floral, buttery flavor and just-right texture. I always recommend using quality loose-leaf Earl Grey tea—you’ll notice the difference. And don’t skip the culinary lavender; it adds a fresh aroma that makes these cookies so memorable.

• Earl Grey tea: Use high-quality loose-leaf tea for a stronger, fresher bergamot flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level it when measuring to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Both help the cookies rise properly for a soft texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the tea’s aroma.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light crumb when creamed with butter.
• Unsalted butter: Soften to room temperature for best creaming results and flavor control.
• Egg: Room temperature eggs blend better for fluffier dough.
• Vanilla bean paste: Adds depth and enhances the aromatics beyond regular vanilla extract.
• Culinary lavender: Delicately ground for the sugar coating and the frosting to keep things fragrant.
• Cream cheese: Gives the frosting a tangy creaminess that pairs beautifully with the floral notes.
• Powdered sugar: For a smooth, sweet frosting texture.
• Purple food coloring (optional): For that lovely lavender tint, but totally optional if you want to keep it natural.

Variations

One thing I love about the London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily tweak it based on what you’ve got or the vibe you’re going for. Feel free to experiment with the frosting flavors or omit the lavender if that’s not your thing—you’ll still get a fantastic cookie.

• Lavender-Free Version: When a friend of mine didn’t love lavender, I just skipped the lavender sugar and frosting part—and honestly, these cookies still shined with the Earl Grey flavor.
• Vegan Adaptation: I haven’t tried this yet, but replacing the butter with coconut oil and using a flax egg could work well—let me know if you try it!
• Chocolate Drizzle: Adding a little dark chocolate drizzle on top is a game-changer—my family begs me to make this version for parties.
• Mini Cookies: Rolling smaller dough balls and adjusting bake time a bit creates cute bites great for gifting or tea parties.

How to Make London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Lavender Sugar and Earl Grey Tea

Start by grinding the culinary lavender in a food processor until it’s finely ground. Sieve it to remove any larger bits—this ensures your lavender sugar is smooth and not overpowering. Set half aside for the frosting. Next, pulse the Earl Grey tea until finely ground and sift it too. This step is key because finely ground tea infuses the dough more evenly, giving you that unmistakable London Fog flavor in every bite.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and your ground Earl Grey tea. This keeps things even so when you mix in wet ingredients, you avoid overworking the dough. I’ve found this helps the cookies stay tender without becoming tough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed for about 1-2 minutes until it’s super light and fluffy. This step really makes a difference because it helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture—trust me, the extra little effort here pays off big time.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the room temperature egg and vanilla bean paste on medium speed until the batter turns pale and fluffy—this usually takes around 1-2 minutes. The vanilla bean paste adds a beautiful depth that you won’t get from regular vanilla extract, but if that’s what you have, it’ll work in a pinch.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Cookies

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender. Then, scoop 2-tablespoon-size balls of dough and roll them gently in the lavender sugar—you’ll immediately see and smell how it adds a delicate floral sparkle. Arrange the dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets with about 2 inches apart, then gently flatten and shape them into circles. Baking 6-8 cookies at a time helps them cook evenly.

Step 6: Bake and Shape

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 9-10 minutes. When they come out, wait 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then take a large circular cookie cutter and gently press around the warm cookies to give them that flawless round shape—this little trick came from a friend and really polished the presentation.

Step 7: Make the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

While your cookies cool, whip together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy—this usually takes 3-4 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, reserved lavender, vanilla bean paste, and purple food coloring if you want that pretty hue. Continue mixing until super fluffy and creamy.

Step 8: Assemble and Enjoy

Once the cookies are completely cool, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting on each using a mini offset spatula for an even, beautiful finish. Then, dig in! I love pairing these cookies with a warm cup of tea—it’s like dessert and teatime in one.

How to Serve London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of dried lavender flowers or even edible glitter on the frosting for that extra whimsical touch when serving. It makes these cookies perfect for afternoon tea gatherings or special treats.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a steaming cup of black tea, like Earl Grey (of course!), or even a mild herbal blend that complements the lavender. A small cheese platter or fresh fruit can balance the sweetness nicely when you’re hosting.

Creative Ways to Present

For a bridal shower or fancy weekend brunch, I set these on a tiered cake stand with lavender sprigs and vintage teacups. For gifting, I wrap them in parchment paper tied with purple ribbon—it always gets a big “wow” from friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep my leftover London Fog Earl Grey Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to preserve the frosting’s texture, I find it best to store unfrosted cookies separately and frost them just before serving.

Freezing

Freezing works great! Freeze the baked, cooled, unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temp and frost fresh for that just-made vibe.

Reheating

If you want your cookies warm (and who doesn’t?), pop them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or so after thawing—just skip the frosting when reheating to avoid melting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This London Fog Earl Grey Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my go-to recipes whenever I want something a little special and utterly comforting. I love sharing them with friends because they spark great conversations—everyone always asks about the flavor magic behind them. Give them a try, and I’m confident you’ll keep coming back to this recipe, whether it’s for cozy Sundays or fancy get-togethers. Happy baking, friend!

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