Introduction

These London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting combine the fragrant notes of Earl Grey tea with a delicate lavender-scented cream cheese frosting. Soft, subtly spiced, and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, they offer an elegant twist on classic cookies.

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: Add the culinary lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass it through a sieve to remove any large bits. Set aside half for the frosting and mix the remaining ground lavender with 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar. Set this lavender sugar mixture 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 out any large bits for a smooth texture.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea until evenly combined.
Step 5: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 6: Add the egg and vanilla bean paste to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Step 7: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Step 8: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, then roll each scoop into a ball. Coat each ball evenly in the lavender sugar mixture.
Step 9: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball and gently shape into a circle.
Step 10: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking. While warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect their shape.
Step 11: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Step 12: To make the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and 1/4 cup (56 g) softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and purple food coloring if using. Mix until very fluffy.
Step 13: Once cookies have fully cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula.
Step 14: Serve and enjoy your elegant London Fog Cookies alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee.

Tips & Variations

For a more intense lavender flavor, increase the amount of culinary lavender slightly, but be careful not to overpower the Earl Grey notes.
If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, substitute with 2 tsp pure vanilla extract.
Use a mini offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread frosting smoothly and evenly.
Optional purple food coloring adds a beautiful hue to the frosting, enhancing the visual appeal.
Make sure the cream cheese and butter for the frosting are at room temperature for a smooth, creamy texture.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep the frosting fresh. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting and serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

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

Yes, you can carefully remove the tea leaves from Earl Grey tea bags and pulse them in a food processor to grind. Just be sure to sift out any bulky pieces for a smooth dough.

How can I make these cookies vegan?

To make vegan London Fog Cookies, substitute the butter with vegan butter, use a flax or chia egg instead of a chicken egg, and replace cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative for the frosting. The flavor might vary slightly but will still be delicious.

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 84 reviews

Delight in these elegant London Fog Cookies infused with Earl Grey tea and a delicate lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfectly tender and lightly sweetened, these cookies combine floral notes with classic flavors, ideal for pairing with your favorite tea or coffee.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

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

Lavender Sugar:

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
Reserved ground lavender (from 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, then sift to remove any large bits. Set aside half of the ground lavender for the frosting. Mix the remaining lavender with granulated sugar in a bowl and set this lavender sugar aside for coating the cookie dough.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until finely ground, then sift to remove any large pieces, ensuring a smooth incorporation into 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 thoroughly.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes 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, ensuring the mixture is well combined and airy.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
Form Cookie Balls: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough and roll each portion into balls. Then coat each dough ball evenly with the prepared lavender sugar.
Arrange Cookies: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball and gently shape into circles for even baking.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. After baking, let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While 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 softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix until the frosting is very fluffy and smooth.
Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula.
Serve: Enjoy these refined London Fog Cookies alongside your favorite tea or coffee for a delightful treat.

Notes

Make sure to pulse the Earl Grey tea and lavender finely to avoid large bits in the cookies or frosting.
Keep the dough balls spaced apart as the cookies will spread slightly during baking.
Shaping the cookies while warm helps achieve a perfect round shape.
If you prefer less floral flavor, reduce the culinary lavender amount slightly.
Purple food coloring is optional, used just to give the frosting a subtle lavender hue.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days for freshness.

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