Name: 30-Minute Earl Grey Cookies: Easy No-Mixer Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted; infuse with ground Earl Grey while hot); 1 tbsp Earl Grey tea leaves (finely ground (about 2 tea bags)); 5/8 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg (room temperature); 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste); 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp fine sea salt; 1 tbsp milk powder (optional, for a chewier texture)

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What if you could capture the elegant, floral, and citrusy notes of a cup of Earl Grey tea in a warm, chewy cookie? And what if you could whip up a batch of these sophisticated treats in just 30 minutes, without even needing to pull out your stand mixer? It sounds like a baker’s dream, but this recipe for Earl Grey cookies makes it a delicious reality. This is not your average sugar cookie; it’s a grown-up treat with a complex, aromatic flavor from finely ground tea leaves infused right into the dough. Using melted butter means you can mix everything in one bowl with a simple spatula. The result is a cookie with beautifully cracked tops, crispy edges, and an irresistibly gooey center. Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a unique addition to your holiday baking list, these cookies are proof that incredible flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Step 2: Melt and Infuse the Butter
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Step 4: Combine to Form the Dough
Step 5: Scoop the Cookie Dough
Step 6: Bake Until Puffed and Golden
Step 7: Cool for the Perfect Crinkly Top

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of tea?
Q2. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Q3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Q4. Is the milk powder really necessary?

30-Minute Earl Grey Cookies: Easy No-Mixer Recipe

Description
Ingredients

Wet Ingredients
Dry Ingredients

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

Ingredients

This simple, no-fuss ingredient list is all you need to create these uniquely flavorful cookies. The optional milk powder adds a little extra chewiness and richness.

Ingredient	Amount (Grams)	Amount (US Standard)	Notes
Unsalted Butter	113 g	½ cup (1 stick)	To be melted.
Earl Grey Tea Leaves		1 tablespoon	Finely ground (from ~2 tea bags).
All-Purpose Flour	175 g	1⅓ cups
Baking Powder		½ teaspoon
Baking Soda		½ teaspoon
Fine Sea Salt		½ teaspoon	Balances the flavor.
Milk Powder		1 tablespoon	Optional, for a chewier texture.
Granulated White Sugar	125 g	½ cup + 2 tablespoons
Large Egg		1	Should be at room temperature.
Pure Vanilla Extract		1 tablespoon	Or rich vanilla bean paste.

Timing

True to its promise, this recipe is incredibly fast, making it perfect for satisfying a sudden cookie craving.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

This one-bowl method is as simple as it gets. Follow along to create the perfect batch of aromatic cookies.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

First, position an oven rack in the center position and preheat your oven. If you have a convection (fan) oven, set it to 375°F (190°C). For a conventional (no fan) oven, set it to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet (a half sheet pan is ideal) with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Melt and Infuse the Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl or a small saucepan on the stovetop, melt the unsalted butter. To get the best flavor, add the finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves to the butter while it’s still hot and bubbling. Give it a stir and set it aside to cool completely. Tip: This infusion step allows the bergamot oil and tea flavor to deeply penetrate the butter, creating a much more aromatic cookie. If you’re short on time, you can skip the infusion and add the tea to the dry ingredients instead.

Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and the optional milk powder. If you did not infuse the tea in the butter, add the ground tea leaves here. Whisking ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which helps the cookies bake uniformly.

Step 4: Combine to Form the Dough

Pour the whisked dry ingredients into the bowl with the cooled, tea-infused butter. Add the room-temperature egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is just combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. The dough will be soft and fragrant.

Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 ounces or 3 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls. Place the dough balls 2-3 inches apart on your parchment-lined baking sheet to give them room to spread. This recipe should yield about 14 cookies.

Step 6: Bake Until Puffed and Golden

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. The perfect cookie will have set, golden-brown edges while the center still looks slightly soft and gooey. They will appear quite puffed up when you take them out of the oven.

Step 7: Cool for the Perfect Crinkly Top

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before moving them. As they cool, they will deflate and form beautiful cracks and crinkles on the surface. This step is essential for achieving that desirable chewy texture. Once they are firm enough to move, you can transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Nutritional Information

This is an estimated nutritional breakdown for a single cookie, based on the recipe making 14 cookies.

Calories: 155 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Sugar: 11 g
Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
Sodium: 110 mg

Disclaimer: These values are approximate and can vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.

Healthier Alternatives

Looking to make a few tweaks? Here are some simple ideas:

Whole Wheat Flour: For a nuttier flavor and a bit more fiber, replace half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
Reduce Sugar: You can slightly reduce the granulated sugar by a couple of tablespoons without a major impact on the texture. The fragrant tea provides plenty of flavor.
Coconut Sugar: Swap the white sugar for an equal amount of coconut sugar. This will give the cookies a deeper, more caramel-like flavor and a slightly darker color.

Serving Suggestions

These elegant cookies are perfect for elevating any occasion.

The Ultimate Tea Pairing: Naturally, these cookies are a match made in heaven with a hot cup of Earl Grey or any English breakfast tea.
Coffee Break Companion: The citrusy notes of bergamot also pair wonderfully with a dark roast coffee or a latte.
Cookie Platter Star: Their unique flavor makes them stand out on a holiday cookie platter or when given as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This recipe is very forgiving, but keep these tips in mind for perfect results.

Using Hot Butter: If you add the egg to butter that is still hot, it can curdle the egg and ruin the dough’s texture. Solution: Be patient and allow the melted butter to cool to room temperature before mixing.
Not Grinding the Tea Leaves Finely: Coarsely chopped tea leaves will result in a gritty, unpleasant texture in the finished cookie. Solution: Use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle to grind the tea leaves into a fine powder.
Overbaking the Cookies: It’s tempting to wait until the center looks fully cooked, but this will result in a dry, hard cookie. Solution: Trust the process! Pull them from the oven when the edges are set and the centers are still soft. They will finish baking from the residual heat on the pan.

Storing Tips

Proper storage will keep your Earl Grey cookies fresh and delicious.

Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing Baked Cookies: You can freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature.
Freezing Dough: For fresh-baked cookies anytime, scoop the dough balls onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can bake them directly from frozen; just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Conclusion

These Earl Grey cookies are a delightful surprise, proving that pantry staples can be transformed into something truly special with a little creativity. The simple, one-bowl method and quick baking time make them an accessible treat for bakers of all skill levels, while the sophisticated flavor is sure to impress. They are the perfect blend of comfort and elegance in a single bite.

We hope you fall in love with this unique and easy cookie recipe! Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more delicious ideas!

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of tea?

Absolutely! While Earl Grey is classic, this recipe would work well with other finely ground teas. Chai would create a warmly spiced cookie, or you could try a floral tea like lavender or chamomile for a different aromatic experience.

Q2. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Excessive spreading is usually caused by butter that was too warm or by an oven that wasn’t fully preheated. Ensure your butter has cooled completely after melting, and always let your oven come to the correct temperature before putting the cookies in.

Q3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking.

Q4. Is the milk powder really necessary?

No, the milk powder is optional. It adds a subtle richness and contributes to a chewier texture, but the cookies will still be absolutely delicious without it. If you don’t have it on hand, you can simply leave it out.