30 June 2016

Earl Grey Shortbread

Earl Grey Shortbread / www.delightfulrepast.com

Earl Grey Shortbread combines one of my favorite teas with one of my favorite cookies/biscuits. It follows the traditional formula for the Scottish classic shortbread: 1 part sugar, 2 parts butter, 3 parts flour (by weight). The measures given, for those who prefer to measure, are just tidier approximations of the weights.

My immersion blender comes with a mini processor/chopper that comes in handy for this. Just give the loose leaf tea (or the tea you've taken out of tea bags) a few whirls to make it a bit finer. If you don't have one of these or a spice grinder, you can use a mortar and pestle or your fingers; just rub the tea between thumb and forefinger. 

Of course, you can make these any size you like; but I like this little two-bite size for afternoon tea parties. When everything on the tea table is small, one can have at least one of everything without going completely overboard. 

My shortbread is all organic, right down to the tea. Though I still at times drink black teas that are not organic, if I had my druthers, they would all be. Since I drink a great deal more tea than most people do, I think it's pretty important that most of it be organic.

What is your favorite tea (camellia sinensis) or tisane (herbal infusion/tea)?  

Earl Grey Shortbread / www.delightfulrepast.com

Earl Grey Shortbread


(Makes about 48 1.5-inch cookies)

1 1/8 dip-and-sweep cup (5.625 ounces/159 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea, ground in spice grinder or mini processor

1 stick (4 ounces/113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup (1.75 ounces/50 grams) sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract, optional 

1 In smallish bowl, whisk together flour and ground tea.

2 In medium mixing bowl, with hand mixer or wooden spoon, cream softened butter. Add sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Cream together thoroughly.

3 Add flour mixture to creamed mixture. When thoroughly combined (it will be a bit crumbly, so knead it in the bowl with one hand), scrape out onto piece of wax paper or baking parchment and form a 10-inch log (it will lengthen to the 12-inch width of the wax paper as you roll it). Roll into a 1.25-inch diameter log 12 inches long. Place in freezer for 30 to 60 minutes.

Note: Or roll it out 1/4-inch thick and cut out shapes, such as the diamonds I did with the Hildesheimer Pumpernickel Cookies.

4 Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4. Slice thoroughly chilled log of dough into 1/4-inch-thick* slices and place on parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart; they only spread about 1/4 inch. (My half sheet pan handled it all in one batch.) Bake for 13 to 17 minutes until the edges are just starting to brown the slightest bit.

* I don't actually measure the slices, just eyeball it, and come out with fortysomething cookies from the 12-inch log of dough. No worries -- it's not rocket surgery! :D

PS Still trying to figure out Pinterest. I'm told it likes long/tall images, so ...


Earl Grey Shortbread / www.delightfulrepast.com

63 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

You must have known that I am having some tea now :-)) Shortbread cookies are always a favourite.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

And they are so easy to make, Angie, no muss, no fuss! Just a bowl and spoon.

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Finally, a painless way to consume tea! Alas, I lack the gene…or is it Jean? My favorite tee has a golf ball on the end of it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Yes, Sully, "painless!" Even you can now consume tea! :D While *tea* is a way of life for me, *tee* ... well, not so much. My golf skills (or, rather, lack thereof) are legendary.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Suzie, thank you soooo much! You just made my day!

Sandra Lee said...

I've been thinking about making shortbread lately and I love Earl Grey tea. This is perfect!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sandra. I hope you'll try it soon and let me know how you like it!

Edye Nicole said...

These look so yummy, Jean! Thanks for sharing =)

Blessings,
Edye | Http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Edye, thank you! Have a great weekend!

Lorrie said...

Tea and shortbread make a wonderful pair. I love Earl Grey tea most of the time or a peppermint/lemon balm tisane with leaves from my own garden.

Margie said...

Earl Grey is one of my favourite blends too! I especially like the creamy versions. This Earl Grey shortbread cookie is right up my alley.

I'm hooked on garden tours now too! I hope to attend another one in mid-July...

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lorrie, I'd love to have lemon balm and peppermint in my garden! The mint scares me a little, though, because I've heard it can completely take over.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Margie, I hope you'll make it with your favorite Earl Grey. I haven't tried any of the creamy EGs yet.

Cranberry Morning said...

First of all, one can't go wrong with butter, sugar, and flour. But adding the tea is genius! I can wait to make this. And the photo is beautiful, BTW.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Judy! I can't take credit for adding the tea; many others have done that, not sure who did it first.

agrandjourney.com said...

These are really different. They look delicious.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Marilyn, thank you so much for sharing my links! You're the hostess with the mostest!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Krista, thank you! Kids like these little tiny cookies too.

Lady Linda said...

Thank you for your recipe and for stopping by my blog. Your cookies look so yummy...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Now these look easy and fun to make for a summer tea party!

Unknown said...

Jean-
I saw this @ Full Plate Thursday and it brought me back to Mother's Day Tea @ the Brown Palace in Colorado. Love shortbread and earl grey tea. Perfect combo! Thanks!
Michelle

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, these sound so buttery, delicious! I will try them! I love all teas - except anise or licorice flavored :) x Karen

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Perfect with tea or cocoa! Beautiful!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Linda, thank you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

CCC, they really are. I don't even bother with the mixer, they come together so easily by hand -- and with ingredients I always have on hand.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Wish I could share a shortbread cookie and a cuppa tea with you, Jean. I'd like a cup of black tea, please, with milk and sweetener. We could discuss all of our favorite kitchen toys and you could tell me why I need an immersion blender. Also, I forget which brand of Earl Grey is your favorite. I love just Irish Breakfast tea.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Michelle, thank you. I do so love a posh hotel tea!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thank you. I don't drink many herbal tisanes, but I wouldn't like those flavors either.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, David! I haven't had a cup of cocoa in a very long time -- good combo.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, that would be grand! I didn't have an immersion blender until recent years, but now I see what all the fuss was about!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Marilyn!

Pamela S said...

What a beautiful, dainty cookie. I love tea. I have made cakes with tea in them but not cookies. Saving your recipe to try.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Pamela! Do try them soon and let me know what you think!

Anonymous said...

These look wonderful! I will have to get some Earl Grey tea or some more flavorful tea, at least and give them a try soon!
Thanks, Jean, for the great recipe.
Love,
Lily

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Lily! Twinings Earl Grey is my favorite of the readily available, easy to find Earl Greys.

Bernideen said...

Jean:
I have a folder of things made with Earl Grey tea - this one is being added. Thanks so much for sharing, link and participating in my blog party!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Bernideen, I am honored! Love your blog party!

Bernideen said...

Dear Jean:
Thanks so much for sharing this at "Tea In The Garden".

Pom Pom said...

How elegant! Thank you, sweet Jean!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Bernideen, thank *you*!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Karen! They do go so beautifully with a nice cuppa tea!

Sippity Sup said...

I drink loose tea and I've noticed that when it is almost gone all that's left is a dustier grained tea that isn't really good for steeping. I bet I could use that... GREG

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Great idea, Greg! I'm almost to the bottom of one tin, so I'll have to see how much "dust" is there.

Miz Helen said...

Thanks so much for sharing this awesome Shortbread with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great weekend and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

My pleasure, Miz Helen!

Amy at love made my home said...

Tea and biscuits together sounds like a great idea!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Amy! Yes, with tea in my biscuit as well as in my cup, I'm perfectly happy!

April J Harris said...

What lovely shortbread, Jean! My husband and son adore Earl Grey tea and I know they will love these! I'm very partial to Royal Blend Tea, a special blend from the London grocer Fortnum and Mason but it's very hard to pick an absolute favourite tea. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you. Fortnum and Mason's Royal Blend *is* a wonderful tea! I like it with just a teaspoonful of milk.

Jess said...

These sound A-MAZING!! I love shortbread! :)

I'd love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jess!

Swathi said...

Can you call me for tea with this cookies, I am in love with it, thanks for sharing, pinning and tweeting.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ohh, Swathi, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!

Elsie said...

I love Early Grey and I love shortbread! I can't wait to make these!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Elsie, thank you! I hope you like them as much as we do!

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Wow your cookies look and sound so good!
Thanks for sharing this recipe with us at Cooking and Crafting with J & J. :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Julie, thank you so much!

Jan said...

I think they are almost too pretty to eat...Almost! thanks for posting at country fair blog party!
Jan

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jan, thank you so much!

Clairejustine said...

These sound yummy, I love cookies :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Clairejustine, thank you. How could anyone *not* love cookies?!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Marilyn!

Antiques And Teacups said...

Great minds think alike...as I shared Earl Grey cookies too! I apologize for being late visiting! The last few weeks have been a whirl with birthday, sinus problems, friends visiting and then a smoke escape with a last minute cruise…only to return to more smoke! Oh well…
Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth