Description
These London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting combine the aromatic essence of Earl Grey tea with a delicate lavender-infused sugar coating and a creamy, floral cream cheese frosting. Perfectly tender and subtly flavored, these cookies offer a sophisticated treat ideal for teatime or a special gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry 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
Cookie Dough:
- 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 Sugar:
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
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 (reserved from sugar preparation)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Lavender Sugar: Add the culinary lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass the ground lavender through a sieve to remove larger bits. Set aside half of this finely ground lavender for the frosting and mix the remaining half with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl. Set this lavender sugar mixture aside.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, preparing them for the cookie dough.
- Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until finely ground, then sift through a fine sieve to discard any large pieces for a smooth dough incorporation.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the ground Earl Grey tea thoroughly to combine the dry elements of the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1 cup granulated white sugar on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste on medium speed until the mixture looks pale and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring proper aeration for tender cookies.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined, being careful not to overmix which can toughen the dough.
- Form Cookie Balls: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, rolling each portion into balls. Then coat each dough ball evenly in the prepared lavender sugar.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the lavender sugar-coated dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and gently shape into a circular form for even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake 6 to 8 cookies at a time in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes. Once baked, let the cookies sit on the sheet for 5 minutes to set. While still warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect their shape.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting, ensuring the frosting does not melt.
- Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter together with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, the reserved ground lavender, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix until very fluffy and smooth.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have fully cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of the prepared lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula for a neat finish.
- Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies alongside your favorite tea or coffee, perfect for a refined snack or special occasion.
Notes
- Make sure the Earl Grey tea and lavender are ground finely to avoid chewy bits in the cookies and frosting.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure the dough blends smoothly and produces tender cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding the dry ingredients to prevent tough cookies.
- Using a cookie cutter on warm cookies helps achieve uniform, professional shapes.
- Purple food coloring in the frosting is optional and can be omitted for a more natural look.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; frosting may be slightly softened before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British-inspired
Keywords: London Fog Cookies, Earl Grey Cookies, Lavender Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Tea Cookies, British Cookies, Floral Cookies
