Introduction

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting offer a delicate blend of Earl Grey tea and floral lavender, creating a sophisticated and fragrant treat. These soft cookies paired with creamy frosting are perfect for tea time 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
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

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 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 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 the 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 stronger Earl Grey flavor, increase the tea amount by 1 tablespoon but be sure to finely grind it well to avoid large bits in the dough.
If you don’t have culinary lavender, substitute with a few drops of lavender extract, but reduce the amount to avoid overpowering the cookies.
Use a mini offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread frosting smoothly and evenly for a polished look.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and help cookies hold their shape.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost just before serving. If refrigerated, allow cookies to come to room temperature for best texture.

How to Serve

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. Remove the leaves from the bags and grind them finely before adding to the recipe to ensure an even flavor.

Is it necessary to sift out large tea bits after grinding?

Sifting helps remove any coarse pieces that might create an unpleasant texture in the cookies, so it’s recommended for the smoothest result.

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 81 reviews

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting are a delicate and aromatic treat inspired by the beloved Earl Grey tea latte. These soft cookies are infused with ground Earl Grey tea and coated with a fragrant lavender sugar, then topped with a creamy lavender cream cheese frosting that adds a floral, slightly sweet finish. Perfectly paired with a cup of tea or coffee, these cookies bring a sophisticated touch to any afternoon snack or dessert.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 18–24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian

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 total) granulated white sugar, divided
1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened (divided into 1 cup for dough and 1/4 cup for frosting)
1 egg, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla bean paste (divided into 2 tsp for dough and 1 tsp for frosting)
4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
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 any large bits. Set aside half of the ground lavender for the frosting. Mix the remaining ground lavender with 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated white sugar in a bowl; this mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for even baking.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse 3 tablespoons of Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until they are finely ground. Sift the ground tea to remove any large bits for a smooth texture in the dough.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the finely ground Earl Grey tea until evenly distributed.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup (227 g) of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup (200 g) of granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the batter is pale and fluffy.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until all components are combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Form Cookie Balls: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Coat each dough ball thoroughly with the lavender sugar mixture prepared earlier for added flavor and texture.
Arrange Cookies: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Slightly flatten each ball with your hand and gently shape into circles for even baking.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6 to 8 cookies at a time in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes. When baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to gently press and perfect the shape of each cookie.
Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before frosting to ensure the frosting adheres well and does not melt.
Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese with 1/4 cup (56 g) softened unsalted butter until fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually add 1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is very fluffy and well combined.
Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula for precision and a smooth finish.
Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat or dessert.

Notes

Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
Coating the dough balls in lavender sugar adds a fragrant and subtly crunchy exterior.
Using a cookie cutter immediately after baking gives the cookies a professional, uniform look.
The optional purple food coloring in the frosting adds a beautiful lavender hue but can be omitted for a more natural appearance.
Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

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