London Fog Cookies Recipe

London Fog Cookies are the coziest, most aromatic treat you’ll bake all year. Imagine the gentle citrusy aroma of Earl Grey tea, the floral notes of culinary lavender, and a dreamy cloud of vanilla bean frosting—all wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie. They smell and taste absolutely magical, conjuring up those rainy London afternoons with a sweet little twist. Whether you’re looking to impress at afternoon tea or simply want a treat that feels like a warm hug, London Fog Cookies will quickly become your new go-to favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You might be surprised to see how approachable this recipe really is! Each ingredient adds an essential element—whether it’s cozy spice, floral fragrance, or the cookie’s classic tenderness. Let’s break down what you’ll need to create these unforgettable London Fog Cookies.

• Earl Grey tea: The signature flavor—finely ground leaves are the secret to infusing every bite with bergamot brightness.
• All purpose flour: A reliable base for soft, chewy cookies with just the right structure.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These give a delightful lift and perfect golden finish to your cookie edges.
• Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
• Granulated white sugar: Sweetens both cookies and lavender sugar for a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and helps achieve that classic cookie texture.
• Egg: The binder that creates structure and keeps your cookies tender and chewy.
• Vanilla bean paste: This adds deep, aromatic vanilla notes; scrape the pod if you want an extra luxe touch!
• Culinary lavender: For a beautiful floral aroma—make sure it’s safe for food (not just decorative).
• Cream cheese: Creamy tang for the most decadent, cloudlike frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Ensures a smooth, light-sweet frosting that won’t overpower those beautiful floral notes.
• Purple food coloring (optional): For a whimsical touch and a little pop of color, but purely up to you!

How to Make London Fog Cookies

Step 1: Make the Lavender Sugar

Start by pulsing the culinary lavender in a food processor. Really break it down until it’s finely ground—no one wants to chomp on a big chunk of lavender! Run it through a sieve to keep only the fragrant, powdery bits, then mix half with granulated sugar. Set the rest aside for your frosting. It’s this lavender sugar that will coat your cookies and make them smell incredible right out of the oven.

Step 2: Prep and Combine the Dry Ingredients

For truly aromatic London Fog Cookies, grind the Earl Grey tea until fine, just like with the lavender. Whisk it into your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures every bite is beautifully speckled with tea and subtly kissed by bergamot.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Grab your mixer and cream the softened butter with sugar until it’s super light and fluffy—this takes just a minute or two on high. This isn’t just for looks: creaming incorporates air, creating that dreamy, soft cookie texture you crave in every homemade batch.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Don’t skip this part—an extra minute mixing in the egg and vanilla bean paste makes your dough ultra-pale, light, and absolutely brimming with vanilla-lavender fragrance. It’s a sensory delight even before you bake!

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

With your mixer on low, gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stop as soon as it’s blended for ultra-soft cookies: over-mixing makes the dough tough, so treat it with care.

Step 6: Portion and Roll in Lavender Sugar

Use a cookie scoop or generous tablespoon to form dough balls, then roll each generously in the floral lavender sugar you prepped earlier. This not only creates the most gorgeous cookie tops, but it lends a little crunch and a misty botanical aroma in every mouthful.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Space the cookies carefully (they’ll spread!), flatten each one just slightly, and bake 9-10 minutes. For picture-perfect London Fog Cookies, use a round cookie cutter to gently “scoot” hot cookies into circles while still soft. Let them firm up on the sheet, then cool them completely on a rack.

Step 8: Make the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip the butter and cream cheese until billowy, then mix in powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, and vanilla bean paste. Add a hint of purple food coloring if you want that show-stopping lavender look. The result? Cloud-like, floral frosting that’s never too sweet.

Step 9: Frost and Enjoy

Once your cookies are completely cool, dollop each with a generous tablespoon of frosting and swoop it across the surface. Admire your handiwork, snap a quick photo if you must, then dig in—these cookies taste as magical as they look!

How to Serve London Fog Cookies

Garnishes

Sprinkle each frosted cookie with a few extra culinary lavender buds, or give them a shimmer with a light dusting of edible glitter for a truly elegant, tea-party-worthy finish. A tiny swirl of extra vanilla bean paste or a zest of lemon is also lovely and completely elevates their look.

Side Dishes

The delicate flavors of London Fog Cookies make them a perfect match for a hot cup of Earl Grey (of course!) or any stylish tea. For a cozy weekend, try them alongside a creamy chai, aromatic herbal brew, or a tall glass of cold milk for classic comfort. Fresh raspberries, strawberries, or a citrus salad also pair beautifully for brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a tiered cake stand, tuck them into pretty bakery boxes for gifting, or try sandwiching two together with a swirl of extra frosting. For special occasions, mix up the frosting color for each dozen and create a pastel palette that’s as irresistible to look at as it is to eat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, London Fog Cookies can be stashed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Their flavors actually deepen a bit overnight, and the icing stays fluffy and fresh. Just separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, both the cookies alone and the assembled, frosted cookies freeze beautifully. Simply flash-freeze on a tray, then store in zip-top bags or airtight containers with parchment between layers. Grab as many as you need straight from the freezer whenever a craving hits!

Reheating

Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for about 30–60 minutes before eating; there’s no need to reheat in the oven, as this might melt the frosting. If you just want to refresh the unfrosted cookies, a quick warm through at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 minutes brings back that bakery-fresh texture.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes, you absolutely can! Vanilla bean paste just adds those beautiful little flecks and a stronger, more complex aroma, but high-quality vanilla extract will still taste lovely in these London Fog Cookies.

What’s the easiest way to grind loose leaf tea and lavender?

A small food processor or spice grinder works perfectly. Even a clean coffee grinder does the trick—just make sure to wash it well so your cookies don’t taste like coffee!

How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill your dough briefly if your kitchen is really warm. Also, always place dough balls on cool, parchment-lined baking sheets for even results.

Can I make London Fog Cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. They bake up deliciously soft and aromatic, without any major changes to the base recipe.

Is there a way to make these cookies vegan?

You can! Use a vegan butter substitute for both the cookies and frosting, swap in plant-based cream cheese, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 2.5 tbsp water). The results aren’t identical, but still delicious and full of that signature London Fog flavor!

Final Thoughts

If you want a dessert that feels like a little luxury, you’ll fall hard for these London Fog Cookies. Between the bergamot, lavender, and creamy vanilla frosting, this is the sort of baking project that’s impossible not to love. Give it a try—your kitchen (and your tastebuds) will thank you!

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