Introduction

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting combine the comforting flavors of Earl Grey tea and aromatic lavender in a delicate, buttery treat. These charming cookies are perfect for a cozy afternoon tea or a special dessert.

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

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 tsp vanilla bean paste
Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the lavender sugar by pulsing lavender in a food processor until finely ground. Sift to remove any large bits. Set aside half for frosting, and mix the remaining ground lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 3: Grind the Earl Grey tea in a food processor until finely ground, then sift to remove large pieces.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea.
Step 5: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 6: Add the egg and 2 tsp 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 until just combined.
Step 8: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, form dough into balls, then roll each ball in the lavender sugar mixture until coated.
Step 9: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into a circle.
Step 10: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. After baking, let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes. While warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect the shape.
Step 11: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 12: Prepare the lavender cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and softened butter together until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Beat until very fluffy.
Step 13: Once cookies are cool, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula.
Step 14: Serve and enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with your favorite tea or coffee.

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the best flavor that shines through in the cookies.
For a more intense lavender flavor, gently infuse the butter with lavender before creaming it with sugar.
If purple food coloring is not available, a natural alternative is to use a small amount of blueberry juice or omit coloring altogether.
Chill cookie dough briefly if it seems too soft to handle before shaping.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw and frost fresh. Frosted cookies are best enjoyed within 2 days for optimal freshness. Reheat gently if desired, but these cookies are typically served at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags?

Yes, loose leaf Earl Grey tea works perfectly. Just grind it finely to ensure it blends smoothly into the cookie dough.

Is culinary lavender different from regular lavender?

Yes, culinary lavender is grown specifically for cooking and is safe to consume. Avoid using lavender intended for perfumes or decoration, as it may contain pesticides or be too strong in flavor.

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe

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5 from 783 reviews

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting combine the aromatic flavors of Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender into delicate, buttery cookies topped with a creamy lavender-infused cream cheese frosting. These elegant tea-time treats feature a soft texture and a perfect balance of floral and citrus notes, ideal for pairing with your favorite cup of tea or coffee.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British-inspired

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients for 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 (for the cookie dough)

Wet Ingredients for Cookies

1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Lavender Sugar Coating

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
Half of the reserved ground lavender (from the lavender sugar preparation)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Lavender Sugar: Pulse the culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground. Sift through a sieve to remove any large pieces. Set aside half of this ground lavender for the frosting and combine the remaining half with 1/2 cup granulated sugar to create lavender sugar for coating the cookies.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until they are finely ground. Sift out larger pieces to ensure a smooth blend within the dough.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the finely ground Earl Grey tea. This dry mix combines the leavening agents with the tea flavor evenly.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy, which usually takes 1-2 minutes.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Lower the mixer speed to medium and add the room temperature egg and vanilla bean paste. Continue beating for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until everything is combined into a consistent cookie dough. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
Form Cookie Balls: Scoop the dough using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop. Roll each portion into a ball, then thoroughly coat each ball with the prepared lavender sugar for an aromatic and sweet exterior.
Arrange Cookies: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets with at least 2 inches of space between each to allow for spreading. Slightly flatten each ball and shape it into a neat circle.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6 to 8 cookies at a time in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. While still warm, gently use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect their shape.
Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Cooling is essential for the frosting to adhere properly without melting.
Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and softened butter with an electric mixer for about 3-4 minutes until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix thoroughly until the frosting is very light and fluffy.
Frost Cookies: Using a mini offset spatula, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cooled cookie.
Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies alongside a cup of tea or coffee for a sophisticated and satisfying treat.

Notes

Make sure eggs and butter are at room temperature to ensure proper mixing and texture.
Be careful not to over-grind the Earl Grey tea leaves to prevent bitterness in the cookies.
The lavender sugar coating adds a beautiful floral aroma and slight crunch to the cookies.
Using an offset spatula helps to spread frosting smoothly and evenly.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: London Fog, Earl Grey cookies, lavender frosting, tea cookies, cream cheese frosting, floral cookies, elegant desserts