Here’s a delightful recipe for Earl Grey Infused Shortbread Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea leaves (or contents of Earl Grey tea bags)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the Earl Grey tea leaves with the flour. Use the back of a spoon to gently crush the tea leaves, releasing their aroma.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed or by hand until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Form the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thickness.
8. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out the cookies. You can go with classic rounds or get creative with different shapes.
9. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
10. Optional: You can sprinkle a pinch of sugar or some additional Earl Grey tea leaves on top of each cookie for extra flavor and decoration.
11. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them to avoid over-browning.
12. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These Earl Grey Infused Shortbread Cookies are perfect for tea time, as a sweet treat after dinner, or as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family. Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and enjoy the delightful floral notes of Earl Grey in each buttery bite!