The Best Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Buttery, delicate, and infused with the unmistakable flavor of bergamot, these Earl Grey Tea Cookies are a sophisticated little treat that feels fancy without requiring any complicated baking skills. With a tender shortbread-style crumb and optional dark chocolate for a little extra indulgence, these cookies are perfect alongside a cup of tea.

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The Best Earl Grey Tea Cookies

If you love Earl Grey tea, these cookies are about to become a new favorite. They’re buttery, lightly sweet, beautifully fragrant, and ridiculously easy to make. Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Buttery & tender: These cookies have that classic melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture that makes it nearly impossible to eat just one.
• Perfectly balanced: Earl Grey adds a subtle citrus, floral flavor without making the cookies overly sweet.
• Simple to make: No complicated techniques or fussy decorating required. Roll, cut, bake, and enjoy!
• Chocolate optional: Mini dark chocolate chips and a dark chocolate drizzle add a rich chocolatey contrast, but the cookies are lovely without them too.
• Perfect for gifting: Their delicate flavor and pretty presentation make them a beautiful addition to cookie boxes, afternoon tea spreads, or holiday baking trays.

Earl Grey Tea Cookies Ingredients & Substitutions

A short ingredient list is one of the best things about these Earl Grey Cookies. Each ingredient has a simple job, and a couple of easy substitutions make them adaptable for different dietary needs.

• Butter: Butter creates the rich flavor and tender texture that makes these cookies so delicious. Regular butter or plant-based butter can be used, making this an easy dairy-free/vegan recipe.
• Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar blends smoothly into the butter and helps create the delicate, tender texture. I recommend sticking with powdered sugar rather than substituting granulated sugar.
• Earl Grey tea: The star ingredient! The tea leaves infuse the entire cookie with Earl Grey’s signature bergamot flavor. Use the tea directly from Earl Grey teabags for an easy option.
• Vanilla: A little vanilla rounds out the floral and citrus notes of the Earl Grey. Pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste will both work beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: Flour gives the cookies their structure while keeping them tender. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. I baked these with XO Baking gluten-free gourmet flour blend.
• Fine sea salt: Just a touch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the buttery Earl Grey flavor. Regular fine table salt can be used if that’s what you have on hand.
• Mini dark chocolate chips: These are completely optional but add little pockets of rich chocolate throughout the cookies. Regular mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate can be used instead. Use a dairy-free version if needed. I like to bake with Pascha Chocolate.
• Dark chocolate (optional): Melted dark chocolate makes an easy and elegant finishing drizzle. Use dairy-free dark chocolate if you’re making the cookies dairy-free, or skip the drizzle altogether for a simpler finish.
• Earl Grey tea for decorating (optional): A tiny sprinkle of Earl Grey tea leaves makes a pretty finishing touch and gives guests a hint of what’s inside.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part. These cookies come together quickly with a simple mix, roll, cut, and bake method, making them an easy choice when you want something homemade without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

1. Prep the baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter mixture: In a mixer, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, Earl Grey tea, and vanilla until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Add the dry ingredients: Measure in the flour and salt and mix on low until fully combined. The mixture will look crumbly at first, but keep mixing until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Add the chocolate: If using mini dark chocolate chips, gently fold them into the dough.
5. Roll the dough: Lightly dust a clean countertop with powdered sugar. Roll the dough approximately ¼ inch thick.
6. Cut the cookies: Cut the dough into your desired cookie shape and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting until all the dough has been used.
7. Bake: Bake for 10–11 minutes, or until the edges are just set.
8. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Decorate: Once cooled, drizzle with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with a little Earl Grey tea if desired.

Easy Earl Grey Tea Cookies Helpful Hints

A few little baking tips will help you get those perfectly tender, delicate cookies every time. The biggest rule? Keep an eye on the oven and don’t wait for these cookies to become golden.

• Don’t over-bake: Bake just until the edges are set. The cookies should remain relatively light in color for that tender shortbread texture.
• Give crumbly dough time: When you first add the flour, the mixture may look like crumbs rather than cookie dough. Keep mixing and it should eventually come together.
• Roll with powdered sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar on your countertop helps prevent the dough from sticking without adding a layer of flour to the cookies.
• Keep the cookies evenly thick: Rolling the dough to approximately ¼ inch helps the cookies bake evenly and keeps them tender.
• Chill if needed: If the dough becomes too soft while rolling or cutting, pop it into the refrigerator briefly to firm it back up.

Fun Flavor Twists

The classic Earl Grey flavor is gorgeous on its own, but there are plenty of ways to play around with these cookies. Here are a few combinations that pair especially well with the bergamot notes.

• Earl Grey & Lemon: Add finely grated lemon zest to the dough for a bright citrus twist that complements the bergamot beautifully.
• Chocolate-Dipped: Instead of drizzling the cookies, dip half of each cooled cookie into melted dark chocolate for a more dramatic finish.
• White Chocolate Earl Grey: Swap the dark chocolate for white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier contrast to the Earl Grey.
• London Fog: Add extra vanilla and finish the cookies with a simple vanilla glaze for a cozy London Fog-inspired treat.
• Orange Earl Grey: Add finely grated orange zest for a warm citrus variation that pairs beautifully with the tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few quick answers for the most common Earl Grey Cookie questions, because nobody wants to pause mid-bake to Google whether their cookies are supposed to look like that.

Can I use loose-leaf Earl Grey tea?

Yes! You can use loose-leaf Earl Grey tea in place of the tea from teabags. Choose a finely cut tea so the leaves blend nicely into the dough.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Absolutely. Use plant-based butter in place of regular butter and choose dairy-free dark chocolate if you’re adding chocolate chips or a drizzle.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes. Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

How should I store Earl Grey Cookies?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! The cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight freezer-safe container and allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.

The Best Earl Grey Tea Cookies Recipe

These Earl Grey Tea Cookies are buttery, tender, lightly sweet, and packed with that gorgeous bergamot flavor that makes Earl Grey so irresistible. Add a little dark chocolate for an extra indulgent finish, pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy a cookie that feels just a little bit fancy.

If you make these Earl Grey Cookies, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a 5-star rating and review below, and don’t forget to tag me on social media @cakedbykatie so I can see your delicious creations!

More Delicious Cookie Recipes

There is little in life that’s better than a freshly baked cookie. Here are a few different cookie recipes that I think you’ll love:

• Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies (GF & V Option)
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies ( Vegan Option)
• Gluten-Free Apple Pie Cookies (Dairy-Free Option)

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