Introduction

Experience the delicate flavors of tea and lavender with these elegant London Fog Cookies. Soft Earl Grey-infused cookies are coated in fragrant lavender sugar and topped with a creamy lavender cream cheese frosting, perfect for tea time or a special treat.

The image shows a plate filled with round cookies, each topped with a swirl of light purple frosting that looks smooth and creamy. Each cookie has a light golden-brown base layer with a soft texture, and the frosting forms a thick, even spiral on top with tiny lavender specks scattered across it. The cookies are arranged closely on a white plate with a soft shadow, placed on a white marbled textured surface. Next to the plate is a small bowl filled with dried lavender buds and a few loose buds are scattered around, along with a small white flower adding a fresh touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the lavender sugar by pulsing the culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground. Sift to remove large bits and set aside half for the frosting. Mix the remaining lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 3: Pulse the Earl Grey tea in a food processor until finely ground, then sift to remove any coarse bits.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea until combined.
Step 5: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 6: Add the egg and vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 7: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until combined.
Step 8: Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, form dough into balls, then roll each ball in the lavender sugar to coat.
Step 9: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball and shape into a circle.
Step 10: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. Once baked, let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect their shape.
Step 11: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 12: To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and softened butter together with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, the reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and purple food coloring if using. Mix until very fluffy.
Step 13: Once the cookies have cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting evenly on each using a mini offset spatula.
Step 14: Serve and enjoy these sophisticated London Fog Cookies alongside your favorite tea or coffee.

Tips & Variations

Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off to avoid dense cookies.
Finely grinding Earl Grey tea and lavender ensures smooth flavor distribution without tough bits.
Use room temperature egg and butter for better creaming and texture.
Optional purple food coloring gives a pretty lavender tint to the frosting for a more festive look.
Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.

Storage

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. To reheat, bring to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate filled with multiple round cookies topped with a thick swirl of light purple frosting, each swirl having small darker purple specks sprinkled on top. The cookies have a light golden-brown base with a soft, slightly crumbly texture. The frosting has a smooth, creamy texture with a gentle peak at the center. Next to the plate, there is a small bunch of white flowers and some dried lavender flowers arranged on a white marbled surface. The colors are soft with purple and white tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of loose tea?

Yes, you can use Earl Grey tea bags; just open the bags and use the tea leaves inside to grind finely. Avoid using the paper or string.

Is culinary lavender safe to eat and where can I find it?

Culinary lavender is safe for consumption and can be found at specialty spice shops, some grocery stores, or online. Regular lavender from the garden may be treated with pesticides and is not recommended unless labeled culinary grade.