The Queen's 👑 Earl Grey Tea Cookies

If you're looking for something really special to bring along to a holiday cookie swap this season, why not spice things up with delectable The Queen's 👑 Earl Grey cookies? They'll be sure to stand out among all the other treats! 

Ingredients

• 1 Earl Gray tea bag  
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Cooking Method

Place the tea bag in a 1-cup glass measuring cup.  Make sure it is filtered water. Hard water may change the flavor of the cookie. Add boiling water; steep for 3-5 minutes. Discard the tea bag. Cool completely.

• Preheat the oven to 400°. In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and cooled tea. In another bowl, whisk flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cardamom, and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
• Shape level tablespoons of dough into balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with bottom of a glass.
• Bake for 6-8 minutes or until light brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Mix confectioners' sugar and remaining cinnamon. Dust cookies with cinnamon mixture or add icing as a decoration to spice things up.

Pairing

China Black Tea Flowery Orange Pekoe: Flowery orange pekoe is a high quality tea with a long leaf and few tips. The FOP stands for "flowery orange pekoe," which refers to the color of the leaves and not the flavor. It is considered first grade in the China tea grading system and is an excellent choice for black tea

Earl Grey: Flavored with the oil of bergamot, a pear-shaped citrus that is grown near the Mediterranean, Earl Grey tea is a blended black tea that has an exotic complexity and aroma that is both distinctive and delightful.