There’s something very comforting about baking Earl Grey cookies on a quiet afternoon. The smell of butter and tea fills the kitchen. The kettle was already boiling before the biscuits had even cooled. Someone wandering in asking, “Are those ready yet?”
If you love a classic shortbread cookie recipe but want something that feels a little more special, Earl Grey shortbread is a lovely place to start. Buttery, crumbly, lightly floral, and surprisingly easy to make, these biscuits feel fancy without actually requiring much effort.
Perfect with a cup of tea. Perfect for gifting. Perfect for accidentally eating three while they’re cooling on the tray.
What is an Earl Grey shortbread cookie?
An Earl Grey shortbread recipe is a buttery shortbread biscuit infused with Earl Grey tea leaves.
The tea brings soft citrusy and floral notes thanks to bergamot, which pairs beautifully with rich buttery shortbread. The result is fragrant, delicate, and just a little bit fancy without trying too hard.
Think:
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buttery texture
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crisp edges
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subtle tea flavour
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melt in your mouth crumbs
The kind of biscuit that makes an afternoon tea feel slightly more special.
How to make Earl Grey shortbread cookies?
The best part about this easy shortbread recipe? You don’t need complicated ingredients or expert baking skills.
If you can make a cup of tea, you’re already halfway there.
Ingredients
For this Earl Grey cookies recipe, you’ll need:
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225g unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup icing sugar
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2 cups plain flour
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2 tbsp teapigs Earl Grey tea leaves
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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pinch of salt
Optional extras:
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melted dark chocolate
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lemon zest
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raw sugar for sprinkling
Basic info
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Chill time: 30 minutes
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Bake time: 15 to 18 minutes
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Servings: Around 20 biscuits
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Difficulty: Easy
Step-by-step instructions
1. Crush the tea leaves
Lightly crush the Earl Grey tea leaves using your fingers or a mortar and pestle. This helps release more flavour throughout the dough.
2. Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and icing sugar until soft and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
3. Add the dry ingredients
Fold in the flour, salt, and crushed tea leaves.
The dough will look soft and slightly crumbly. That’s completely normal for a good shortbread recipe.
4. Shape and chill
Bring the dough together gently using your hands.
Roll it into a log or flatten it into a disc, then wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
A little patience here helps the biscuits hold their shape while baking.
Rolled cookie dough on a kitchen counter with baking flour, colourful sprinkles, and festive cookie cutters nearby.
5. Bake
Preheat your oven to 170°C.
Slice or cut your biscuits into shapes and place them onto a lined baking tray.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
At this point, your kitchen will smell incredible.
6. Cool and enjoy
Allow the biscuits to cool before serving.
Or sneak one warm from the tray. We support both choices.
Variations and serving ideas
One of the best things about Earl Grey biscuits is how easy they are to customise.
You can:
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Dip half the biscuit in dark chocolate
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drizzle with lemon icing
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sandwich them with buttercream
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package them in boxes for gifting
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serve them alongside afternoon tea
They pair beautifully with a proper cup of teapigs Earl Grey, too.
Very bakery café energy without leaving the house.
Health benefits of Earl Grey tea in baking
While these biscuits are definitely more of a treat than a health snack, Earl Grey tea is often believed to have antioxidant properties thanks to the black tea and bergamot.
The tea also adds flavour naturally, giving the biscuits their fragrant, citrusy notes without needing many extra ingredients.
Mostly though, baking with tea just makes things feel cosy. Which feels like reason enough to us.
FAQ’s
How do I infuse Earl Grey flavour into shortbread?
The easiest way is to crush Earl Grey tea leaves and mix them directly into the dough. This helps spread the flavour evenly throughout the biscuits.
Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of loose leaf in this recipe?
Absolutely. If you don’t have loose-leaf tea, simply open Earl Grey tea bags and use the tea inside. Both work beautifully in an Earl Grey cookies recipe.
Why is my shortbread crumbling, and how do I fix it?
Shortbread dough naturally feels more crumbly than regular biscuit dough because of the high butter content. If it feels too dry, gently press it together using your hands until the dough comes together.
How long does Earl Grey shortbread last, and how should I store it?
These Earl Grey cookies usually stay fresh for around 5 to 7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze Earl Grey shortbread dough or baked biscuits?
Yes. You can freeze both the dough and baked biscuits. Wrap the dough tightly before freezing, or store baked biscuits in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
