These Lavender Earl Grey Cookies are delicate, fragrant, and slightly floral with a hint of citrusy bergamot. They strike the perfect balance between a buttery soft cookie and a sophisticated tea-time treat. Each bite melts in your mouth, making them ideal for pairing with tea or coffee, or as an elegant dessert for special gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique flavor profile that blends floral lavender and aromatic Earl Grey tea
- Buttery, soft, and chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness
- Beautiful presentation with optional cornflower petal garnish
- Perfect for tea parties, bridal showers, or as a refined homemade gift
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and just a few specialty touches

Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Lavender Earl Grey Cookies:
2 ¼ cups (9.5 ounces or 270 grams) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (from 3 tea bags or 4 teaspoons loose leaf tea)
½ teaspoon culinary-grade lavender, finely ground
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ¼ cups (8.80 ounces or 250 grams) granulated sugar
1 cup (8 ounces or 227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For Garnish:
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
blue cornflower petals (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter on medium-high speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Reduce speed to low and add the egg, followed by vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as needed and beat for 30 seconds more.
- Scoop dough into balls using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop. Place cookies 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Sprinkle tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cookies will puff in the oven but fall and crack beautifully as they cool.
- Optional: sprinkle blue cornflower petals on warm cookies for garnish.
- Cool cookies on the pan for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining dough and serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 20–22 cookies.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 12 minutes per batch
Cooling time: 20 minutes
Total time: approximately 50 minutes
Variations
- Substitute lemon zest for lavender if you prefer a brighter citrus note.
- Use Earl Grey with vanilla or lavender blends for a deeper flavor.
- Dip cooled cookies halfway in white chocolate for a decorative and tasty twist.
- Replace blue cornflower petals with dried rose petals for a romantic look.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to the dough for a subtle natural sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. To enjoy again, let thaw at room temperature or warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.

FAQs
Can I use regular lavender instead of culinary lavender?
No, only culinary-grade lavender should be used to ensure safe consumption and a pleasant flavor.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added kosher salt to ¼ teaspoon to balance the flavors.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, portion the dough into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?
No, a hand mixer or even a sturdy whisk and spatula can be used, though a stand mixer makes it easier.
Can I omit the Earl Grey tea?
Yes, though you’ll lose the signature flavor. You could substitute with chamomile or chai tea for a different twist.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes, use plant-based butter and replace the egg with a flax egg or commercial egg replacer.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This can happen if the butter is too soft or melted. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
How do I get the lavender finely ground?
Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to grind the lavender buds until fine.
Can I make smaller cookies instead of large ones?
Yes, scoop 1–2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and reduce bake time to 9–10 minutes.
Conclusion
Lavender Earl Grey Cookies bring together the buttery richness of a classic cookie with the elegance of floral and tea-infused flavors. They are easy to bake, visually stunning, and perfect for elevating any gathering. Whether you serve them at a tea party or enjoy them with your morning coffee, these cookies are sure to impress.
Print
Lavender Earl Grey Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 20–22 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lavender Earl Grey Cookies are buttery, floral, and delicately infused with Earl Grey tea and lavender, making them the perfect elegant treat for tea parties, bridal showers, or a refined homemade dessert. These soft cookies pair beautifully with coffee or tea and feature an optional cornflower garnish for a stunning presentation.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (3 tea bags or 4 tsp loose leaf)
½ teaspoon culinary-grade lavender, finely ground
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for garnish)
Blue cornflower petals, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients on low speed until just incorporated. Scrape bowl as needed.
- Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon balls and place 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes, until edges are set and centers soft. Cookies will puff then crack as they cool.
- Optional: sprinkle cornflower petals on warm cookies for garnish.
- Cool cookies on the pan for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining dough and serve.
Notes
- Substitute lemon zest for lavender if preferred.
- Dip cooled cookies in white chocolate for a decorative twist.
- Dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours or frozen for later baking.
- Only use culinary-grade lavender for safe consumption.
- For smaller cookies, scoop 1–2 tbsp dough and reduce bake time to 9–10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins per batch
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg