Introduction

These London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting are a delicate treat inspired by the beloved Earl Grey tea latte. Infused with fragrant tea and floral lavender, they offer a unique and elegant flavor perfect for afternoon tea or special occasions.

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 (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

Prepare Lavender Sugar: Add the lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to remove large bits and set aside half for the frosting. Mix the remaining ground lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl and set aside.
Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse Earl Grey tea in a food processor until finely ground, then sift out any large bits.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the ground Earl Grey tea.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla bean paste on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.
Form Cookie Balls: Scoop dough using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop, roll into balls, then coat each ball in lavender sugar.
Arrange Cookies: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into a circle.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. Once baked, let sit on sheet for 5 minutes. Use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect the shape while cookies are warm.
Cool Cookies: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix until very fluffy.
Frost Cookies: When cookies have cooled, spread about 1 tbsp of frosting evenly on each using a mini offset spatula.
Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with tea or coffee.

Tips & Variations

For a more intense Earl Grey flavor, steep the tea leaves briefly in warm water and dry before grinding.
If culinary lavender is unavailable, use a small amount of dried lavender buds from a reputable source to avoid bitterness.
Try adding a hint of lemon zest to the frosting for a citrusy twist.
Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to keep them fresh and prevent sticking.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the frosted cookies for up to 1 week. Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute tea leaves with tea bags?

Yes, but remove the tea leaves from the bags before grinding. Ensure the bags do not contain additional flavorings or fillers.

What if I don’t have vanilla bean paste?

You can substitute with pure vanilla extract in the same quantity, though the paste offers a deeper flavor and visible vanilla flecks.

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe

Print Recipe

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5 from 63 reviews

Delight in these elegant London Fog Cookies infused with fragrant Earl Grey tea and topped with a delicate lavender cream cheese frosting. These buttery, soft cookies offer a perfect balance of floral and citrus notes inspired by the classic London Fog tea latte, making them a sophisticated treat ideal for tea time or a special occasion.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British-inspired

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
1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated white sugar (divided: 1 cup for dough, 1/2 cup for lavender sugar)
1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
1 egg, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla bean paste (divided: 1 tsp for dough, 1 tsp for frosting)
4 oz (113 g) cream cheese

Optional

Purple food coloring

Instructions

Prepare Lavender Sugar: Grind the culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground. Sift the ground lavender to remove any large pieces. Divide into two portions; mix one half with 1/2 cup granulated sugar for coating cookies and reserve the other half for the frosting.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until finely ground, then sift to discard any large bits for a smooth texture in the dough.
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.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar on high speed with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and 1 tsp vanilla bean paste into the creamed butter mixture. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the batter is pale and fluffy.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Form Cookie Balls: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each scoop into a ball. Coat each ball thoroughly in the lavender sugar mixture.
Arrange Cookies: Place each coated dough ball on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Gently flatten the balls slightly and shape them into neat circles.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes in the preheated oven. After baking, leave the cookies on the baking 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 and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Continue mixing until the frosting is very fluffy and well combined.
Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula for a smooth finish.
Serve: Enjoy these sophisticated London Fog Cookies alongside your favorite tea or coffee for an elegant treat.

Notes

Grinding the Earl Grey tea finely is important to avoid rough textures in the cookies.
Using culinary lavender ensures the floral flavor is safe and pleasant; avoid using lavender meant for decoration.
Shaping cookies with a cutter while warm helps achieve uniform size and a polished look.
Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Optional purple food coloring enhances the visual appeal but can be omitted for a natural look.
Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; bring to room temperature before serving.

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