Earl Grey Tea Cookies With Sweet Lemon Frosting

I love tea.  I love Earl Grey tea the most.  Maybe it's the bergamot... maybe just the warmth.  But all tea drinkers can agree, there is nothing more soothing and comforting then a good cup of tea.

Taking it a step further, I made these delicious Earl Grey Tea Cookies with Sweet Lemon Frosting.  Even my husband who dislikes tea like nobody I've ever seen... loved them.  I'm still working on changing his mind on the tea drinking lol.

The secret of course, is loose leaf Earl Grey tea.  You may be thinking ... 'you want me to eat the tea leaves?'.  Yes.  Yes I do.  You will love it!  You may be tempted to break open an tea bag and use that in the recipe, but I'd like to stress going to a bulk foods store or a specialty tea shop and buying some fresh just for the recipe.  You'll be happy you did... especially when you take them out of the oven and the scent of Earl Grey Tea fills the kitchen.

Cookie Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cups white sugar
1 egg 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh, loose leaf Earl Grey tea leaves

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and the sugar.  Once smooth, add the egg and combine well.  Measure the flour, salt, baking powder and tea leaves into another bowl.  Add the flour mixture to the butter / egg mixture a little at a time.  Mix until the dough is smooth and flour is fully incorporated.  Cover dough and chill in fridge for 1 hour before baking.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and and cut into 2 inch rounds.  Place cookies on a lightly floured cookie sheet.

Bake in a 350F preheated oven on the centre rack for approximately 8 minutes (depending on the thickness and size).  Remove from oven when the surface of the cookies no longer looks 'wet'.  Let them set on the cookie sheet for another 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Frosting Recipe
1 cup of icing sugar
1-2 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp lemon extract

Add the lemon extract to the icing sugar first, then gradually add the water until your frosting is the desired consistency.  Frosting should be thick but spreadable.  Frost the cookies only once they are completely cooled.  Using the back of a spoon to frost the cookies works well.

All done.  Pour yourself a nice cup of tea and enjoy!  I think I'm going to go get one right now....

*Thanks for the inspiration Amy!