Lavender Earl Grey Cookies

Close your eyes and imagine biting into a soft, golden cookie with floral notes of lavender and the bold, citrusy warmth of bergamot — that is exactly what Lavender Earl Grey Cookies deliver. These cookies are special because they transform everyday pantry staples into something sophisticated and bakery-worthy. Whether you are hosting a tea party or simply craving something unique, lavender Earl Grey cookies belong on your baking list. You’ll learn how to make these fragrant, bakery-style cookies from scratch, including expert tips and foolproof instructions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lavender Earl Grey Cookies check every box a home baker could want. First, they are incredibly easy to make — no chilling the dough, no complicated techniques, just simple steps that come together in under an hour. Second, the flavor is truly unforgettable. The bold, citrusy bergamot from Earl Grey tea pairs beautifully with the soft, floral sweetness of culinary lavender, creating a cookie that tastes as elegant as it looks. Third, the texture is perfection — crispy on the edges, gooey and soft in the center. The optional blue cornflower petal garnish makes them stunning enough for gifting or entertaining. These Earl Grey lavender cookies also happen to be bakery-worthy without requiring any special equipment beyond a stand mixer. One batch makes enough to share, but fair warning: they disappear fast.

Ingredients List for the Lavender Earl Grey Cookies

These fragrant cookies use simple ingredients, but each one plays an important role in creating that signature floral, citrusy flavor and perfectly soft texture.

• 2 ¼ cups (9.5 ounces or 270 grams) all-purpose flour

• 1 Tablespoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (from 3 tea bags or 4 teaspoons loose leaf tea)

• ½ teaspoon culinary-grade lavender, finely ground

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 ¼ cup (8.80 ounces or 250 grams) granulated sugar

• 1 cup (8 ounces or 227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

• Blue cornflower petals

Pro Tips

Use Finely Ground Tea and Lavender
The texture of your Lavender Earl Grey Cookies depends heavily on how finely you grind the tea and lavender. Coarse pieces will create unpleasant, gritty bites. Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until both are a fine powder before adding them to the flour mixture.

Do Not Skip the Creaming Step
Creaming the butter and sugar for the full 2 to 3 minutes is non-negotiable. This step incorporates air into the dough, which gives the cookies their light, fluffy structure and helps them spread properly during baking. Under-creaming results in dense, flat cookies.

Bake One Pan at a Time
Always bake one sheet pan at a time in the center of the oven. This ensures even heat circulation and consistent results. Baking two pans simultaneously can cause uneven browning and unpredictable spreading, which affects both appearance and texture.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep your oven and pans. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two half sheet pans with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream the sugar and butter, then add the egg, vanilla, and dry ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar and butter. Beat on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and doubled in volume, 2 to 3 minutes, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. Reduce the mixer to low and add the egg. Add the vanilla and beat until just combined. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl once more, and beat on low for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 4: Assemble the cookies. Use a 3-tablespoon cookie dough scoop to portion the cookie dough into balls. Place the cookies at least 3 inches apart on the prepared sheet pans. Sprinkle the tops of the dough balls with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of sugar for garnish before baking.

Step 5: Bake the cookies. Bake one pan at a time for 12 minutes, or until the edges have set but the centers are still gooey. The cookies will look puffed when you pull them out of the oven, but will fall and crack into the perfect cookies as they cool.

Step 6: Garnish and cool the cookies. If using blue cornflower petals, sprinkle a few petals on top of each cookie. Cool the cookies on the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, or until the edges and bottoms of the cookies have set and feel firm to the touch. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

Step 7: Serve and store. Serve warm or at room temperature. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Variations

Lemon Glaze Lavender Earl Grey Cookies
Drizzle a simple lemon glaze made with powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice over the cooled cookies. The bright citrus flavor amplifies the bergamot notes already present in the Earl Grey tea and adds a beautiful finishing touch.

Lavender Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
For a crispier, more buttery texture, reduce the flour slightly and roll the dough thin before cutting into shapes. These lavender Earl Grey shortbread cookies make a stunning addition to any cookie tin or holiday gift box.

Earl Grey Lavender Sandwich Cookies
Pair two cookies together with a lavender-infused buttercream filling for an elevated sandwich cookie. Simply mix softened butter, powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla, and a pinch of finely ground lavender until smooth and creamy.

Storage and Serving

Lavender Earl Grey Cookies are best enjoyed the same day they are baked, when the edges are perfectly crisp and the centers are still soft. However, they store beautifully for several days. Place cooled cookies in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 2 to 3 extra minutes to the bake time. For serving, these cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, chamomile tea, or a lightly sweetened lavender latte for a truly cohesive flavor experience.

FAQs

Can I use loose leaf Earl Grey tea instead of tea bags?
Yes. Use 4 teaspoons of loose leaf Earl Grey tea in place of 3 tea bags. Grind it finely before adding it to the dry ingredients for the best texture.

Is culinary-grade lavender necessary?
Yes, culinary-grade lavender is essential. Regular decorative lavender may contain pesticides or additives that are not safe for consumption. Always use food-safe lavender specifically labeled for cooking or baking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it, covered tightly. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping and baking.

Why do my cookies look puffed when I take them out of the oven?
That is completely normal. Lavender Earl Grey Cookies puff in the oven and then fall and crack beautifully as they cool, creating that signature crinkled look and soft, gooey center.

Can I make these cookies without a stand mixer?
Yes. A handheld electric mixer works just as well. Cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for the full 2 to 3 minutes to achieve the proper light and fluffy texture.

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