• Now that we’ve got all our ingredients lined up, it’s time to dive into the baking process! These Earl Grey cookies are surprisingly simple to make, yet the flavors are so unique and elegant. Let's break it down step-by-step!

Step 1: Infuse the Butter with Earl Grey Tea

• Start by softening your butter at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will ensure that it creams nicely with the sugar, creating a smooth dough.
• Once the butter is softened, grind the Earl Grey tea leaves into a fine powder using a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or the back of a spoon. This step is key to evenly distributing the floral, citrusy flavor throughout the dough.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this, but a good whisking by hand works just as well if you don’t mind a little extra elbow grease!
• Add the ground Earl Grey tea leaves, lemon zest, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until everything is well incorporated. The aromatic fragrance from the tea will start to fill the air—how wonderful!

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt to ensure they are evenly distributed. This helps prevent clumps of salt in your cookies and ensures the texture is just right.
• Add the dry components one by one to the mixture after blending wet ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula or spoon until everything comes together into a dough. Don’t overwork the dough, as that could lead to a dense texture. If you find the dough a bit sticky, don’t worry—it’s supposed to be!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

• To prevent the dough from spreading too much while baking, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. You can also roll it into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for easier slicing later on. This step is crucial to getting perfectly shaped cookies with a soft, chewy texture.

Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cookies

• Place your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) before you begin and cover your baking sheet with parchment paper for preventing cookie stickage.
• Once the dough is chilled, roll it into ¼-inch thick rounds or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. If you’ve rolled your dough into a log, slice it into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Place each cookie on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them for spreading.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cookies have a slight firmness to the touch. Your kitchen will soon smell like a warm, comforting tea blend!

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

• The cookies need to rest on the baking sheet for some minutes before moving them to a wire rack for full cooling. This will help them set and keep their shape.
• Once they’re cool, you can enjoy these delicate Earl Grey cookies just as they are, or add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance.
• And there you have it—soft, flavorful Earl Grey cookies with a light citrusy and floral touch. They’re perfect for an afternoon tea or as a sweet treat to share with friends!