Easy Earl Grey Shortbread with Blood Orange Glaze Recipe That Wows

Earl Grey shortbread, a delicate dance of aromatic tea-infused baking, crafts ordinary cookies into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Fragrant tea leaves quietly weave their magic through buttery dough, creating an elegant and sophisticated treat.

Subtle bergamot notes whisper delicately across a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth canvas that hints at refined indulgence.

Crisp edges give way to a tender interior, promising sensory delight with each carefully crafted bite.

The unexpected blood orange glaze adds a vibrant, tangy counterpoint that elevates these cookies beyond traditional expectations.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges the gap between classic comfort and contemporary creativity.

Bold flavors merge seamlessly, inviting you to savor a moment of pure, luxurious pleasure.

What Makes Earl Grey Shortbread So Elegant

• Brew Elegant Flavor Fusion: Earl Grey tea infuses classic shortbread with sophisticated, aromatic notes that transform a simple cookie into a gourmet experience.
• Create Effortless Luxury: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic baking skills, allowing home bakers to produce a professional-looking dessert with surprising ease.
• Craft Sensational Texture Contrast: Crisp, buttery shortbread meets silky blood orange glaze, delivering a delightful interplay of crunch and smoothness that delights the palate.
• Design Versatile Entertaining Treat: Perfect for afternoon tea, sophisticated gatherings, or elegant gifts, these shortbread triangles elevate any occasion with their refined presentation and complex flavor profile.

Everything You Need for That Orange Glaze Finish

• Unsalted Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that creates tender and flaky texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create crisp shortbread edges.
• All-Purpose Flour: Structural ingredient that gives classic shortbread its signature crumbly consistency.

• Earl Grey Tea Leaves: Adds distinctive bergamot flavor and aromatic complexity to the shortbread.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, subtle depth to complement the tea flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with perfect drizzling consistency.
• Blood Orange Juice: Adds bright, tangy citrus flavor and vibrant color to the glaze.
• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and contributes to rich, tender shortbread texture.

How to Bake Earl Grey Shortbread Like a Baker

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Stage

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Take an 8-by-8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure some paper hangs over the edges for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Buttery Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Mix until everything blends smoothly.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves

Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture delicate.

Step 4: Shape and Smooth the Dough

Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Use floured fingertips or a piece of plastic wrap to press the dough evenly across the pan. Ensure a smooth, uniform layer.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 28-30 minutes until the surface looks matte and the edges start turning a soft golden color. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Craft the Citrusy Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh blood orange juice

Adjust the consistency until it resembles honey- not too thick, not too thin.

Step 7: Finish with a Zesty Drizzle

Once the shortbread has cooled, drizzle the blood orange glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Cut the shortbread into elegant triangular pieces. Serve and enjoy the delightful blend of tea-infused buttery goodness and bright citrus notes.

Tips to Nail Texture and Flavor in One Go

• Brew Tea Perfectly: Crush Earl Grey tea leaves finely to release maximum flavor without creating bitter undertones.
• Butter Matters: Use room temperature, high-quality unsalted butter for the richest, most tender shortbread texture.
• Press Evenly: Distribute dough uniformly using a flat-bottomed measuring cup or offset spatula for consistent baking.
• Cooling Technique: Allow shortbread to cool completely before glazing to prevent soggy edges and maintain crisp structure.
• Glaze Consistency: Start with small amounts of orange juice, adding gradually to achieve a smooth, drizzle-friendly glaze that doesn't run off the cookie.

How to Store Shortbread Without Losing That Snap

• Refrigerate: Wrap shortbread pieces tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep chilled for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent flavor loss.
• Freeze: Layer shortbread between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve texture.
• Room Temperature: For short-term storage, place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight. Consume within 2-3 days to enjoy optimal taste and crispness.

Great Pairings for Tea-Time Cookies

• Brew Aromatic Tea Pairing: Complement the Earl Grey shortbread with a delicate jasmine green tea or a classic English breakfast tea, enhancing the bergamot notes and creating a sophisticated flavor harmony.
• Elevate Citrus Beverage Match: Serve alongside a freshly squeezed blood orange mimosa or a light sparkling citrus spritzer to echo the bright orange glaze and add a refreshing contrast to the buttery shortbread.
• Create Creamy Dessert Companion: Pair with a dollop of lavender-infused whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the crisp shortbread texture and add a luxurious creamy element to the dessert experience.
• Craft Cheese Plate Accent: Arrange these shortbread triangles on a cheese board with mild goat cheese or a creamy brie, allowing the citrusy glaze and tea-infused cookie to cut through the richness of the dairy.

Earl Grey Shortbread in New Flavor Directions

• Lavender Lemon Shortbread: Swap Earl Grey tea with dried lavender buds and replace blood orange juice with fresh lemon juice in the glaze for a fragrant, citrusy version.
• Chai Spice Shortbread: Replace tea with ground chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, then use a maple glaze instead of blood orange for a warm, comforting flavor profile.
• Dark Chocolate Espresso Shortbread: Mix finely ground espresso beans into the flour and drizzle dark chocolate glaze over the cooled shortbread for a rich, intense dessert experience.
• Almond Rose Shortbread: Incorporate ground almonds into the flour mixture and create a rosewater-infused glaze, garnishing with crushed pistachios for added texture and elegance.

Earl Grey Shortbread with Blood Orange Glaze Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delicate Earl Grey shortbread cookies blend British tea tradition with citrusy Mediterranean flair. Delicate lavender-hued glaze from blood oranges creates an elegant finish that elevates this simple, sophisticated treat into a memorable dessert experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (6.75 ounces/192 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (from 1 tea bag)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Glaze Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed blood orange juice

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Instructions

1. Infuse the butter and sugar with a delicate cream, whisking until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like texture and gains a pale, airy appearance.
2. Introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending smoothly to create a harmonious base, then incorporate salt to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Gently fold ground Earl Grey tea leaves and flour into the mixture, stirring with deliberate, light motions until ingredients are just combined and form a cohesive dough.
4. Transfer the dough into a parchment-lined square baking pan, using floured fingertips or a piece of plastic wrap to distribute evenly and create a smooth, uniform surface.
5. Position the pan in a preheated oven, allowing the shortbread to bake until the surface develops a matte finish and the edges acquire a delicate golden hue, approximately 28-30 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the shortbread to cool completely on a wire rack, letting the texture settle and flavors meld.
7. Craft a vibrant blood orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, adjusting the consistency to achieve a silky, honey-like drizzle.
8. Once cooled, generously cascade the citrusy glaze across the shortbread’s surface, then slice into elegant triangular pieces for serving.

Notes

• Brew your Earl Grey tea ahead of time and let it cool completely to ensure the most robust flavor infusion in the shortbread.
• Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients into the dough.
• Gently press the dough into the pan to avoid overworking, which can make the shortbread tough and less tender.
• Check the shortbread early, as ovens vary; golden edges indicate the perfect baking point for a crisp yet delicate texture.
• Zest the blood orange before juicing to capture maximum citrusy essence in the glaze for an extra flavor punch.
• Let the shortbread cool entirely before glazing to prevent the sugar from melting and ensure a clean, beautiful finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg