So Cookie Week is nearly over, but there’s one more post to go before we call it a day. And trust me, I saved the best for last!
So how am I capping off this week of awesomeness? With these elegant little Earl Grey Icebox Cookies, of course.
If you’ve never tried icebox cookies before, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
They’re a lifesaver during the holidays – once you’ve prepared the dough and shaped it into logs, it can be kept on standby in the fridge or freezer, ready to be sliced up at a moment’s notice to make fresh-baked cookies whenever you need them.
Unexpected guests? No sweat. Spontaneous holiday potluck at work? Fuggedaboutit. Need a little nibble to leave for Santa? Problem solved. Too tired to make dinner? I suppose it’s not the best choice, but I won’t judge. :)
Even better, the basic dough is a great blank canvas for whatever flavour happens to catch your fancy.
Last year, I shared a version flavoured with pistachio, cardamom and saffron. This year, I swapped the exotic flavours of the silk road for a comforting and thoroughly British combination of finely ground aromatic Earl Grey tea, plus a sprinkling of lemon zest to bring out the citrusy bergamot notes in the tea. It’s fresh and floral, and make a fabulous gift for any tea lover in your life.
Obviously, they’re best served alongside a hot cuppa, but they’re quite dandy with whatever other seasonal accompaniment catches your fancy.
PS: If you haven’t entered yet, don’t forget that I’ve got giveaways open for a KitchenAid stand mixer (to celebrate FoodBabbles’ 3rd blogoversary) and some amazing baking prizes (as part of cookie week.) Both giveaways are closing soon, so don’t wait!
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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 2½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 bags Earl Grey tea (Twinnings, if possible)
- Beat butter with sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high, until fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla and lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Tear open the teabags, and add the contents to the flour mixture along with wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half, and roll each portion into a 2-inch wide log. Wrap in wax paper and twist ends to enclose tightly. Chill until the cookie dough is quite firm, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment.
- Slice the dough logs into ¼-inch rounds, and arrange 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Let cookies cool on sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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For more sweet treats, check out these posts by the rest of the Cookie Week crew:
- Bethmännchen cookies by Masala Herb
- Chewy Brigadeiro Pecan Bars by Food Lust People Love
- Chocolate Cookie Thumbprints with Sweet Pepper Jelly by Omeletta
- Chocolate-Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies by i heart eating
- Earl Grey Icebox Cookies by Crumb
- Giant Ginger Cookies from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Simple Snowman Cookies from It’s Yummi!
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
- Homemade Thin Mints by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies by Like Mother Like Daughter
- Miso Sesame Cookies by NinjaBaking.com
- Peppermint Cream Thumbprint Cookies by Beyond Frosting
- Salted Caramel Stuffed Toffee Chip Cookies by The Cooking Actress
- Sandwich Cookies by Texana’s Kitchen
- Shortbread Christmas Mouse Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic
Dude, seriously. You’re a total genius. These are some serious grown up cookies. I love that used earl grey, you complete me woman.
I have been dying to make these for months. Seriously. They look lovely so I am definitely going to add them to my neverending holiday cookie list ;)
Very elegant indeed!
Very cool idea of a cookie!
Those lovely little tea cookies sound easy to make and so wonderful! I love flavoring sweet treats with tea and these are just perfection.
I’ve always wanted to try these….maybe now I’ll take the time. Yours look really enticing!
These look delicious– can’t wait to try out the recipe.
i absolutely love these, for so many reasons. One: earl grey. i LOVE it in baked goods, as it adds such a lovely flavor. Two: ease of use. icebox cookies are SO great to slice and bake when people are coming! I have a feeling these will make at least one, if not several, appearances in my home this season. Also they’re on the short list for food gifts to give. serious.
Sooo very elegant and lovely, Isabelle. Perfect indeed with a cup of tea =)
WOW! I have never heard of Earl Grey cookies before, but I will admit I’m already on the frozen dough bandwagon. You’re right, its just the perfect solution for last minute sweets.
Such a classy looking cookie! I love icebox cookies at the holidays too, and they’ve saved my butt more than once :) The lemon zest in here is the best idea.
these pretty little cookies are SO sophisticated!