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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

    Published: Nov 1, 2020 by Michelle · 24 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies are crisp, buttery and filled with earl grey tea flavour. Bergamot oil extract enhances the tea flavour in these cookies, and dark chocolate ties everything together.

    A stack of partially chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies on a marble trivet with a bowl of chocolate chips and lights in the background.
    It's cookie season!

    These Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies are simple to make and only use a few ingredients.

    They are crisp and filled with earl grey tea flavour.

    You can see the beautiful flecks of tea in the cookies. And to enhance that earl grey flavour, I add fragrant culinary bergamot oil to the cookies. 

    What is earl grey tea?

    If you don't already know, earl grey is my favourite tea flavour. It's a black tea with the addition of bergamot oil. 

    I have a few earl grey recipes featuring this lovely tea:

    Earl Grey Nama Chocolate

    No-Churn Earl Grey Ice Cream

    Earl Grey Cream Tart

    Which type of earl grey tea to use?

    For these cookies, you can use any type of earl grey tea you have on hand. 

    If you're using a loose leaf tea, place the tea leaves into a coffee grinder and grind them until they're quite fine. 

    You can also use bagged tea as well.

    My favourite one to use is Trader Joe's Organic Earl Grey tea. 

    Close up of chocolate-dipped earl grey shortbread cookies with tea cup in the background..
    Ingredients you'll need

    You'd be surprised to know that there's only 7 ingredients in these cookies!

    • all-purpose flour: best to use all-purpose and not cake flour or bread flour for these cookies
    • earl grey tea: any type of tea that you have on hand, whether it be loose-leaf or tea bags
    • unsalted butter: if you have salted butter, you can use that but remember to omit the salt in the recipe. Cut the butter into 1 tablespoon portions. 
    • powdered sugar: also known as icing sugar, adds sweetness to the cookies
    • vanilla extract: use a good quality pure vanilla extract
    • bergamot oil extract: optional if you can't find it; use a culinary-grade bergamot oil, not essential oil.
    • sea salt: to balance that sweetness

    How to make the cookies

    This recipe comes together so easily. All you need is a food processor. 

    • Place the dry ingredients into the food processor: flour, earl grey tea, powdered sugar, salt and give it a few pulses.
    • Add in the butter, vanilla extract and bergamot oil.
    • Pulse a few times until a dough begins to form. (Don't over mix, or the cookies will be tough).
    • Dump the contents from the food processor onto a large piece of parchment paper and use your hands to form the dough into a cylindrical log. 
    • Wrap the log with plastic wrap and place into the fridge.
    • Once chilled, remove the dough from the fridge and use a sharp knife to cut rounds, about 1 cm thick.
    • Place the cut rounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    • Bake at 375F for about 12 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.

    Close up of an earl grey chocolate shortbread cookie, teacup and lights in the background.

    How to decorate the cookies

    For these Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies, it's as simple as melting chocolate and dipping half of the cookie into the chocolate.

    In a microwave-safe bowl, add the dark chocolate and microwave in 20-second increments. 

    Give the chocolate a stir, and repeat until it's completely melted.

    You can dip the cookie in the melted chocolate, or use a spatula/spoon to coat the cookie with chocolate. 

    Another way to add pizazz to the cookies is to drizzle drizzle the melted chocolate over the top instead. 

    Or you can just leave them plain -- they're just as good!

    FAQ's

    Which type of chocolate to use?

    Use a good quality baking chocolate to decorate the cookies. 

    You can use baking chocolate chips (what I used here), chocolate callets, or baking chocolate bars.

    With chocolate bars, you'll need to chop them first. Personally, I find it more convenient to use chips or callets. 

    How to store the cookies

    Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for as long as 1 week. 

    To prolong their shelf-life, you can store baked the cookies in the freezer as well.

    Can I double or triple the recipe?

    Yes! This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled. 

    Other cookie recipes you may like

    Be sure to check out these other tea-based cookie recipes:

    Matcha White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

    Hojicha Espresso Cookies

    Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Strawberry Matcha Oreo Cookies

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- I love seeing your re-creations! Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    A stack of partially chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies on a marble trivet, teacup and lights in the background.A stack of partially chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies on a marble trivet with a bowl of chocolate chips and lights in the background with text overlay.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

    Sweet and delicious earl grey tea-flavoured cookies get a little pizazz with a dark chocolate coating.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Resting Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time47 minutes mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American, British
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies:

    • ½ C all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoon finely ground earl grey tea (2 tea bags)
    • 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
    • pinch of sea salt omit if using salted butter
    • 5 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon bergamot oil extract use culinary grade, not essential oil

    Decoration:

    • 50 g dark chocolate melted
    US Customary | Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Make the cookies:

    • Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, earl grey tea, powdered sugar, salt) into a food processor. Pulse a few times.
    • Add in the butter, vanilla extract and bergamot oil extract (if using).
    • Pulse a few times until a dough begins to form.
    • Dump the contents from the food processor onto a large piece of parchment paper.
    • Gather the dough with your hands and press to form a cylindrical log.
    • Wrap the log with plastic wrap and place into the fridge for 30 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 375°F/191°C.
    • Remove the dough from the fridge and use a sharp knife to slice into rounds, about 1 cm thickness.
    • Place the cut rounds flat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake the cookies at 375°F/191°C for approximately 12 mins, until lightly golden around the edges.
    • Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

    Decorate with chocolate:

    • Add dark chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl.
    • Heat the chocolate in 20-second increments, and give it a stir. Repeat until all the chocolate has melted.
    • Dip the cookies in the melted chocolate, or use a spatula to coat the melted chocolate onto the cookie.
    • You can also drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookie if you like.
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!

    Recipe loosely adapted from Claire Robinson.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David @ Spiced

      November 02, 2020 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      It's funny - I don't drink much hot tea in the warmer months. But once we hit the colder months, I make sure to keep the pantry stocked up on tea. Baking cookies with Earl Grey is a great idea - and dipping them in chocolate is an even better idea! 🙂 Also, this is the first I've heard of bergamot oil extract - I'm intrigued!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 02, 2020 at 6:53 am

        Thanks so much, David! Bergamot oil is such an amazing flavouring! It can be a little difficult to find -- wish it's more available, like vanilla. 🙂

    2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      November 02, 2020 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      I love earl grey tea and definitely love shortbread cookies so these are totally calling my name! Such a delicious way to kick off the week too 😉

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 02, 2020 at 6:53 am

        Thanks Dawn! They are absolutely divine with a cuppa earl grey! 😉

    3. Christie

      November 02, 2020 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies sound and look so amazing! Love Earl Grey!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 02, 2020 at 9:32 pm

        Thanks Christie!

    4. Josiah - DIY Thrill

      November 02, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      These Chocolate-Dipped Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies look like the perfect dessert to pair with tea!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 02, 2020 at 9:33 pm

        Thanks Josiah, they sure are great for afternoon tea!

    5. Tasia ~ two sugar bugs

      November 03, 2020 at 9:31 pm

      Haha! Cookie season is year round at my house, but I also consider these next two months true cookie season. Shortbread is one of my favorites and I love those beautiful earl grey flecks in the shortbread!!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 04, 2020 at 7:19 am

        Thanks Tasia! True, cookie season is indeed year round 🙂

    6. Ting

      November 05, 2020 at 7:42 pm

      Would it be ok to sub the powdered sugar with regular granulated sugar? If so, is it a 1:1 swap?

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 05, 2020 at 9:11 pm

        You can sub in granulated sugar -- use half the amount, so about 1 & 1/2 Tbsp.

    7. Beth

      April 10, 2021 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      My hubby and daughter are going to be all over these cookies! They look amazing and so yummy! Definitely making these soon!

      Reply
    8. Eliza Cross

      April 10, 2021 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      Earl Grey is my favorite tea, and these cookies sound amazing. They look so delicate and pretty, too. Thank you for sharing another winning recipe!

      Reply
    9. Kristina Tipps

      April 10, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I loved these! Will be making them for my Mother's Day brunch!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 11, 2021 at 2:01 pm

        Awesome, thank you Kristina! 🙂

      • Evelyn

        December 07, 2021 at 6:37 pm

        Do you happen to have the measurements by weight? I tried making these and they spread a bit too much and crumbled easily, maybe I didn’t measure the flour correctly? 🙁
        Flavour was great though!

      • Michelle

        December 07, 2021 at 7:33 pm

        Hi Eveyln, I have added the weight measurements. If the cookies spread, it may either too much butter or the cookie dough wasn't chilled long enough?

    10. Biana

      April 10, 2021 at 9:59 am

      5 stars
      These cookies look amazing, and chocolate adds another dimension to them. Will be perfect with a cup of tea!

      Reply
    11. Denay DeGuzman

      April 10, 2021 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      These cookies have the most beautiful flavor! I felt like I was enjoying a treat from a gourmet bakery or coffee shop. Next time around, I'll make two batches instead of one, and share them with a friend!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        April 11, 2021 at 2:01 pm

        Amazing, thanks for trying the recipe Denay! 🙂

    12. teacozycookies

      May 05, 2021 at 8:00 am

      5 stars
      easy to make and so delicious!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        May 05, 2021 at 3:38 pm

        Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your creation with me on Instagram! 🙂

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