Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Dear Eden and Claire, 

My favorite television show during the Covid Pandemic was Ted Lasso. I watched it three times.  I loved how he brought his boss shortbread cookies every morning.  

My love for shortbread  began with packages  of Lorna Doone cookies when I was a little girl.  The buttery goodness and the texture [insert heavy sigh].  It wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered homemade shortbread. What a game changer!  It will always be my favorite cookie. I’ve been experimenting with different additives such as ground coffee, fresh herbs, and teas.   I love this Earl Grey version with its hint of bergamot A lemon glaze puts it over the top.  

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 2 tablespoons Earl Grey tea leaves ground fine with a coffee grinder. (I use Twinings brand)
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ tsp kosher salt

Glaze (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

• In a Stand mixer, blend the butter and earl grey tea leaves together and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours, to develop the flavor. 
• Once the butter has finished setting, preheat oven to 350­° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Add the powdered sugar to the butter mixture and cream together over medium speed for 2 minutes. 
• Add in the flour and salt. Continue to mix until a soft dough forms. 
• Shape the dough into a long cylinder about 2 1/2 inches thick. Wrap in cling wrap and smooth the log. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking. 
• When ready to bake, using a sharp knife, cut 1/2 inch slices and place each slice on the cookie sheet lined with parchment. Alternatively you can roll out the dough and cut into shapes but I hate rolling out dough so I prefer the log method. 
• Bake the shortbread for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown in color.
• Once cooled, whisk together the glaze ingredients and dip or drizzle the cookies as desired and place on wax paper to set.