London Fog Cookies Recipe

Introduction

London Fog Cookies combine the fragrant notes of Earl Grey tea and lavender in a tender, buttery cookie topped with creamy lavender frosting. These elegant treats are perfect for tea time or any occasion where you want a delicate and flavorful sweet bite.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
• 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: For the lavender sugar, add the lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to separate any large bits. Set aside half for the frosting.
2. Step 2: Mix the remaining lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: Add Earl Grey tea to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to remove large bits.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea. Set aside.
6. Step 6: In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and 1 cup softened butter using an electric mixer on high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
7. Step 7: Add the egg and vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
8. Step 8: Add dry ingredients to the wet mix, mixing on low speed just until combined.
9. Step 9: Using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop, portion dough and roll into balls. Then roll each ball in the lavender sugar mixture.
10. Step 10: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into circles as best you can.
11. Step 11: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. For perfectly round edges, press a large circular cookie cutter around the warm cookies.
12. Step 12: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
13. Step 13: For the lavender cream cheese frosting, beat softened butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until fluffy, 3-4 minutes.
14. Step 14: Mix in powdered sugar, reserved lavender, and vanilla bean paste until very fluffy. Add purple food coloring if desired.
15. Step 15: Once cookies are cooled, spread about 1 tbsp of frosting on each using a mini offset spatula. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness and ensure a smooth texture.
• For a stronger Earl Grey flavor, let the ground tea steep briefly in warm butter before mixing with sugar.
• Swap out purple food coloring for natural alternatives like blueberry juice for a subtle hue.
• If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works well too.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Because of the cream cheese frosting, they are best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving. Avoid freezing as frosting texture may change.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This can enhance the flavors and help the cookies keep their shape.

Is it necessary to finely grind the Earl Grey tea?

Yes, finely grinding the tea ensures the flavor is evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevents tough bits in the cookies.

London Fog Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 143 reviews

These London Fog Cookies are a delightful fusion of Earl Grey tea and lavender, offering a fragrant and elegant twist on classic buttery cookies. Featuring a soft, tea-infused dough rolled in lavender sugar and topped with a creamy lavender cream cheese frosting, these cookies are perfect for teatime or any special occasion.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Lavender Sugar

• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar

Earl Grey Cookies

• 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
• 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender (finely ground)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Lavender Sugar: Place culinary lavender into a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Sift the lavender through a sieve to remove any large bits. Set aside half of the ground lavender for the frosting. Mix the remaining lavender with granulated sugar in a medium bowl and set aside for rolling the cookie dough.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
3. Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse Earl Grey tea leaves in the food processor until finely ground. Sift through a sieve to remove larger bits, then set aside.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the ground Earl Grey tea until evenly combined.
5. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream softened butter and granulated sugar together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is very light and fluffy.
6. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the room temperature egg and vanilla bean paste on medium speed until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
7. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
8. Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll each portion into a ball. Roll each dough ball in the prepared lavender sugar, coating evenly.
9. Arrange and Slightly Flatten: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into a circle for even baking.
10. Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Use a large circular cookie cutter to gently reshape cookies for a perfect round form while still warm.
11. Cool Thoroughly: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
12. Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, reserved finely ground lavender, and vanilla bean paste. Mix on medium speed until very fluffy. Add purple food coloring if desired for a lavender hue.
13. Frost Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, top each cookie with about 1 tablespoon of frosting. Use a mini offset spatula to evenly spread the frosting over each cookie. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Ensure the Earl Grey tea and lavender are finely ground and sifted to avoid gritty texture in cookies and frosting.
• Spoon and level flour for accurate measurement to maintain cookie texture.
• Room temperature egg and softened butter help create a smooth batter and proper rise.
• For best flavor, allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
• Using a cookie cutter immediately after baking shapes cookies perfectly.
• Optional purple food coloring adds a visual lavender effect without altering flavor.

Keywords: London Fog Cookies, Earl Grey Cookies, Lavender Cookies, Tea Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Elegant Cookies, Dessert