London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe
Introduction
London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting offer a delicate blend of Earl Grey tea and floral notes for a truly elegant treat. These soft cookies are perfectly complemented by a creamy lavender-infused frosting, making them ideal for afternoon tea or special occasions.

Ingredients
- 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
- 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to remove large bits and set aside half for the frosting. Mix the remaining ground lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl and set aside.
- Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 3: Pulse Earl Grey tea in a food processor until finely ground, then sift out any large bits.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the ground Earl Grey tea.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Step 6: Add the egg and vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 7: Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.
- Step 8: Scoop dough using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop, roll into balls, then coat each ball in the lavender sugar.
- Step 9: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into a circle.
- Step 10: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. Once baked, let sit on the sheet for 5 minutes. Use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect the shape while cookies are still warm.
- Step 11: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 12: Beat together cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix until very fluffy.
- Step 13: When cookies have cooled, spread about 1 tbsp of frosting evenly on each using a mini offset spatula.
- Step 14: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with your favorite tea or coffee.
Tips & Variations
- For a stronger lavender flavor, increase the amount of culinary lavender slightly, but be careful not to overpower the tea taste.
- Vanilla bean paste adds a rich flavor, but you can substitute with pure vanilla extract if unavailable.
- To make these cookies more festive, add a sprinkle of edible glitter or dried lavender buds on top of the frosting before it sets.
- If you don’t have a food processor, carefully grind the tea and lavender with a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
Storage
Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. You can also freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of tea instead of Earl Grey?
Yes, but keep in mind that Earl Grey’s distinct bergamot flavor complements the lavender best. Other teas may change the overall taste profile.
Why do I need to sift the ground tea and lavender?
Sifting removes larger bits that can create an unpleasant texture in the cookies and frosting, ensuring a smooth and uniform flavor.
Print
London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting are a delightful twist on classic tea-time treats, infusing fragrant Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender into a buttery cookie base topped with a creamy, aromatic lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for pairing with your favorite cup of tea or coffee, these elegant cookies offer a subtle floral and citrus flavor that is both sophisticated and comforting.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
- 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar for lavender sugar coating
- 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender (reserved from lavender sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Lavender Sugar: Add the culinary lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to remove any large bits. Set aside half of the ground lavender for the frosting. Mix the remaining half with 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar in a bowl to make the lavender sugar coating.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in even baking.
- Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the loose Earl Grey tea leaves in a food processor until finely ground. Sift to remove any large pieces to ensure smooth integration into the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the finely ground Earl Grey tea to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated white sugar for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the room temperature egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes until the batter is pale and fluffy.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until all ingredients are combined and the dough forms.
- Form Cookie Balls: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball and then coat it thoroughly in the prepared lavender sugar.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the lavender sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball and shape it into a circle for even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes. After baking, let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to gently perfect the shape.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, the reserved ground lavender, 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, and purple food coloring if using. Mix until the frosting is very fluffy and smooth.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula for precise application.
- Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee for a delicate and flavorful treat.
Notes
- Room temperature egg and butter help achieve the best cookie texture.
- If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
- To intensify the lavender flavor, increase the amount of culinary lavender slightly, but avoid overuse to prevent bitterness.
- The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, keep frosted cookies refrigerated for up to a week or freeze un-frosted dough for up to 1 month.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British-inspired
Keywords: London Fog Cookies, Earl Grey Cookies, Lavender Frosting, Tea Cookies, British Cookies, Butter Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Floral Cookies

