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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending smoothly to create a harmonious base, then incorporate salt to enhance the flavor profile.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and allow the shortbread to cool completely on a wire rack, letting the texture settle and flavors meld.
- Craft a vibrant blood orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, adjusting the consistency to achieve a silky, honey-like drizzle.
- 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