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Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies: Buttery & Floral

★★★★★ (4.9 from 42 Reviews)
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Shortbread relies on butter for its flavor, which makes it the perfect vehicle for tea infusion. The fat in the butter absorbs the essential oils of the Bergamot in Earl Grey tea, resulting in a cookie that is fragrant, sophisticated, and tender.

This recipe requires just 4 ingredients and uses loose-leaf tea directly in the dough for beautiful speckles and a burst of citrus flavor in every bite. It is the ultimate afternoon tea companion.

Stack of buttery shortbread cookies with Earl Grey speckles
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time12 mins
Yield12 Cookies
Tea TypeEarl Grey

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 tbsp Loose Leaf Earl Grey
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Pinch of Salt
Nutrition per cookie:
Calories: 150
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 16g
Protein: 1g

Instructions

1
Prep the Tea: Place the loose leaf Earl Grey in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Pulse until it is a fine dust. You don't want large sharp leaves in your cookie.
2
Cream Butter: In a mixer, beat the softened butter, ground tea, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (approx 3 mins). This infuses the butter with the tea aroma.
3
Mix & Chill: Add flour and salt. Mix until just combined. Roll the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This prevents spreading.
4
Bake: Slice the log into rounds. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes until edges are barely golden. Let cool completely to firm up.

Expert Tip: London Fog Variation

Want that "London Fog" latte taste? Add 1 teaspoon of dried lavender buds to the grinder along with the tea leaves in step 1. The floral notes pair perfectly with the vanilla and bergamot.