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Chewy, buttery, and delicately floral, these Earl Grey Sugar Cookies are infused with real tea leaves and finished with a touch of sparkle. The flavor is inspired by a London Fog—a cozy drink made from Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a splash of vanilla. I originally made these cookies for my six-year-old’s tea party, where each treat was named after one of her friends. Naturally, when one of the guests was named London, I had to create a London Fog Cookie. It was an instant favorite with the girls—especially little Miss London herself.

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These Cookies are Perfect For:

• Afternoon tea parties
• Edible holiday gifts
• Cozy baking days
• Anyone who loves floral, citrusy desserts

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More Recipes You'll Love for Tea Parties: 

• Blueberry Coffee Cake
• ‍Blackberry Coffee Cake‍
• Brown Butter Almond Coffee Cake‍
• ‍Brown Butter Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Vanilla Glaze‍
• ‍Blackberry Coffee Cake‍
• Brown Butter Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake with Salted Brown Butter Maple Icing
• ‍‍‍Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins with Lavender Glaze

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Why You’ll Love These Earl Grey Cookies

These aren’t your average sugar cookies. The finely ground Earl Grey tea infuses the dough with soft floral and citrus notes, while the extra egg yolk adds richness and a chewy bite. Rolled in coarse sugar for a subtle crunch a cookie you’ll want to keep in your rotation year-round.

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Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Earl Grey Cookies

Unsalted Butter
The base of the cookie. Creaming softened butter with sugar creates air pockets that give these cookies their soft, tender texture. Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level precisely.

Earl Grey Tea Leaves
The star ingredient. Earl Grey tea is infused with bergamot oil, which brings a floral, citrusy note. Finely grinding the tea helps distribute the flavor evenly and prevents a gritty texture.

Granulated Sugar
Provides sweetness and helps create those lightly crisp edges when baked. It also contributes to the cookie’s signature crackly top when rolled in coarse sugar.

Egg + Egg Yolk
The whole egg binds everything together, while the extra yolk adds richness and chewiness. This is what gives the cookies that soft, bakery-style center.

Vanilla Extract
Balances and rounds out the Earl Grey flavor. It adds warmth and gives the cookie that subtle “London Fog” feel.

All-Purpose Flour
Provides structure. Measuring correctly (spooned and leveled or weighed) ensures the cookies stay soft without becoming dense or dry.

Baking Powder + Baking Soda
A combination of both creates the perfect balance:

• Baking powder = lift
• Baking soda = spread + slight browning

Together, they give you a soft center with lightly crisp edges.

Salt
Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip this—it makes the Earl Grey and vanilla pop.

Coarse Sugar + Earl Grey (Topping)
Rolling the dough in sugar creates a delicate crunch and sparkle. Adding finely ground Earl Grey to the sugar gives an aromatic finish that hits before the first bite.

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How to Make Earl Grey Sugar Cookies

1. Cream the Butter and Earl Grey Tea and Sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and Earl Grey tea leaves until combined. Add the sugar and cream for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. This step creates that soft, tender texture we want in a sugar cookie.

2. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined.

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4. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Scoop and Roll

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough into equal sized dough balls and roll each one in the coarse sugar and earl grey tea mixture. For best flavor and texture, lightly grind the tea leaves before adding to the sugar/earl grey topping mixture. You can place cookie dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours for a deeper flavor.

7. Bake

Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet and bake for 11–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft. They’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool. Let the cookies rest in on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack to continue to cool.

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Baking Tips

• Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the best flavor—look for loose-leaf varieties with bergamot oil.
• If you like stronger tea flavor, finely grind the tea leaves in a spice grinder or food processor or increase to 1.5 tablespoons of tea
• Try a lemon zest or lavender twist for added complexity.

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How to Storage Earl Grey Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 extra minutes to baking time).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do Earl Grey cookies taste like?

These cookies have a buttery, vanilla-forward sugar cookie base with a floral, citrusy twist from the bergamot in Earl Grey tea. They're cozy, slightly sophisticated, and perfect for tea lovers.

2. Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf Earl Grey?

Yes! Just cut open 3–4 Earl Grey tea bags and grind the leaves finely before adding to your dough.

3. What is a London Fog flavor?

A London Fog is a warm drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. This cookie mimics that flavor profile—floral, creamy, and comforting.

4. Do you have to grind the tea for Earl Grey cookies?

I didn't when mixing with the butter in the batter, but I did grind the earl grey when mixing it in the sugar topping to prevent having a gritty texture.

5. Can I make Earl Grey cookies ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, or frozen for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the baked cookies.

6. Can I add lemon or lavender to Earl Grey cookies?

Absolutely! Add 1 tsp lemon zest or 1/2 tsp dried culinary lavender for a bright or floral variation that complements the tea flavor.

7. Are Earl Grey cookies caffeinated?

Yes—Earl Grey tea contains caffeine, though a small amount per cookie. You can use decaf Earl Grey for a caffeine-free version.

8. How long do Earl Grey sugar cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for 4–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months.

9. What desserts go well with Earl Grey tea?

The cookies in this recipe! Also, something light, buttery desserts like shortbread, lemon bars, lavender scones, or vanilla bean cake pair beautifully with Earl Grey.

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