Oh, you are going to LOVE these cookies! There’s just something so special about the delicate dance between floral lavender and bright Earl Grey, isn’t there? It’s like a whisper of a spring garden meeting a perfectly steeped cup of tea, all in one bite. These lavender cookies were born out of my love for using herbs from my own little patch here in Asheville – you know I’m always playing around with what grows! They have this wonderfully subtle flavor that’s just so elegant, and honestly, they’re some of the prettiest cookies I’ve ever made. Trust me, they feel fancy but are totally doable!
Why You’ll Love These Lavender Cookies
These lavender cookies are seriously a dream for so many reasons!
- So Easy to Whip Up: Even if you’re not a master baker, you can totally handle these. They’re surprisingly simple!
- That Amazing Flavor Combo: The floral lavender and bright Earl Grey are just *divine* together. So unique and elegant!
- They Look So Pretty: Honestly, these cookies are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever baked. Perfect for “prettiest cookies” vibes.
- Ideal for Tea Time: If you love a good cuppa, these are your perfect partner. Pure bliss!
- Great for Any Occasion: Whip ’em up for baby showers, fancy afternoon teas, or just when you need a little pick-me-up.
Gather Your Ingredients for Lavender Earl Grey Sugar Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need to get these beauties baking:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds, finely crushed
- 1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves, finely ground
Crafting Your Perfect Lavender Cookies: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get these gorgeous lavender cookies into the oven! It’s a pretty straightforward process, and trust me, the result is so worth it. You’ll want to start by grabbing a nice big bowl.
- First things first, we’re going to cream together our softened butter and the granulated sugar. Get that mixer going until it looks super light and fluffy – this is where we build the foundation for a tender cookie!
- Next, in goes the egg and that little splash of vanilla extract. Mix it all up until everything is happy and combined.
- Now, in a separate bowl, get your dry ingredients acquainted: the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Just give ’em a quick whisk together.
- Here’s the key: gradually add those dry ingredients to your wet mixture a little at a time. Mix until it *just* comes together. Overmixing is the enemy of tender cookies, so be gentle!
- Now for the stars of the show! Gently stir in your finely crushed lavender buds and the ground Earl Grey tea leaves. Make sure they’re distributed evenly.
- Divide the dough right in half. Shape each half into a flat disk – this makes it way easier to handle later. Wrap ’em up snug in plastic wrap and pop ’em in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is super important; it helps the cookies keep their shape and not spread out too much in the oven.
- Once the dough is nice and chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get a couple of baking sheets ready and line them with parchment paper – this makes cleanup a breeze and stops any sticking!
- Grab one disk of dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness. If it gets a little sticky, just add a tiny bit more flour.
- Now for the fun part – cut out your shapes using your favorite cookie cutters! Little flowers, rounds, whatever makes your heart happy.
- Carefully place your cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one so they have room to bloom.
- Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. Don’t overbake them; they’ll continue to firm up as they cool!
- Let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for a few minutes after they come out of the oven. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They’ll be perfect for serving with a cup of tea, just like these lemon ones or even these tiramisu delights!
Tips for Baking the Best Lavender Cookies
You know, a few little tricks can make these lavender cookies go from just good to absolutely spectacular. First off, that lavender? Make SURE it’s culinary grade. Ornamental lavender can taste a bit soapy or even be treated with things you don’t want to eat. And for the Earl Grey, grinding the leaves yourself really amps up that amazing bergamot aroma. When you’re rolling out the dough, don’t get too heavy-handed with the extra flour – a light dusting is all you need. And remember, that chilling step for the dough? It’s non-negotiable for keeping those pretty shapes intact! Oh, and keep an eye on them in the oven; they can go from perfect to overbaked pretty quickly.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Lavender Snacks
Now, let’s talk ingredients for these lovely lavender snacks. The most important thing is using culinary-grade lavender – trust me, ornamental lavender can taste a bit *off*, and we want these cookies to be delightful, not soapy! If you happen to find culinary lavender is hard to come by, you could try a tiny pinch of dried rose petals, but be very careful as they are quite strong. For the Earl Grey tea, feel free to use your favorite brand. If you’re not a huge Earl Grey fan, a strong black tea like English Breakfast could work, but you’ll miss that lovely bergamot zing. The butter and sugar are pretty standard here, but using good quality ingredients always makes a difference.
Serving and Storing Your Flavorful Kitchen Adventures
These delicate lavender cookies are just divine served alongside a cup of tea, any kind really – chamomile, mint, or of course, more Earl Grey! They’re perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your afternoon tea, or even as a sweet little treat for a baby shower or bridal shower. They look so pretty scattered on a platter, maybe alongside some fruit or even a gorgeous cheese board for a sweet and savory combination. To keep them tasting their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They really do hold up beautifully!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lavender Earl Grey Cookies
Got questions about these delightful lavender cookies? I’ve heard a few over the years, and I’m happy to share!
What kind of lavender should I use for baking lavender cookies?
Oh, this is SO important! You absolutely NEED to use culinary-grade lavender. Think of it like fresh herbs from the garden versus pretty flowers from the florist. Ornamental lavender might look lovely, but it can have a bitter, soapy taste and might have been treated with pesticides. Always look for lavender specifically labeled for cooking and baking!
Can I make these lavender cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! The dough is your best friend here. You can wrap it tightly and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days before you’re ready to roll and cut. Or, you can bake the cookies and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay wonderfully fresh!
How can I make my lavender cookies prettier?
These cookies are already pretty darn cute, but if you want to take them up a notch, try a light dusting of powdered sugar after they’ve cooled completely. A very simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a tiny bit of milk or lemon juice works beautifully too. You could even sprinkle a few extra crushed lavender buds or edible flowers on top before baking for that extra “wow” factor. They’re already contenders for the “prettiest cookies” award, but a little sparkle never hurts!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Lavender Cookies
Just a friendly heads-up, the nutrition info for these yummy lavender cookies is an estimate, of course! Things can shift a bit depending on your butter, the exact size of your egg, and how thick you roll your dough. But generally, you’re looking at about 150 calories per cookie, with around 7g of fat, 20g of carbs, and 12g of sugar. They’ve got a little bit of protein and fiber too. Enjoy them guilt-free!
Print
Lavender Earl Grey Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate sugar cookies infused with the floral notes of lavender and the citrusy aroma of Earl Grey tea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds, finely crushed
- 1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves, finely ground
Instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the crushed lavender buds and ground Earl Grey tea leaves.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure you use culinary-grade lavender.
- For a stronger tea flavor, you can increase the amount of Earl Grey tea leaves slightly.
- These cookies are lovely plain, or you can decorate them with a simple glaze or royal icing.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg



