The Charm of Tea-Infused Baking
Earl Grey Sable Cookies
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth and combined.
- Add the egg yolk and mix until pale and well-combined.
- Mix in the contents of the Earl Grey tea bag and vanilla extract.
- Add cake flour, almond flour, and milk powder. Mix until a dough forms, kneading gently if necessary.
- Roll the dough into a 32 cm log on parchment paper, coating it evenly with sugar.
- Wrap the dough in parchment paper and refrigerate for 40 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 320°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Slice the chilled dough into 1.5 cm thick rounds and place them on the prepared tray.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown.
- Cool cookies on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
The soft morning light filtered into her kitchen as she gathered the ingredients for her next culinary adventure: Earl Grey sable cookies. Baking had always been her escape, a quiet space where she could turn simple ingredients into moments of joy.
The butter, softened to perfection, mixed effortlessly with the powdered sugar. As she creamed them together, the mixture turned smooth and velvety. Adding the egg yolk, she marvelled at how it brought a pale, creamy hue to the blend.
From the Earl Grey tea bag, she carefully sprinkled the fragrant tea leaves, the scent already filling the air with their floral and citrusy notes. Vanilla extract followed, deepening the aroma into something warm and inviting.
Sifting in the cake flour, almond flour, and milk powder, she folded the ingredients gently. The dough came together beautifully, its texture soft yet firm. It was always her favourite moment—when the ingredients transformed into something tangible and promising.
With practiced hands, she rolled the dough into a log on parchment paper, pressing granulated sugar along its surface to give the cookies their signature sparkle. Wrapping it tightly, she placed it in the fridge, the waiting game now underway.
While the dough chilled, she prepared her workspace, lining a baking tray with fresh parchment. She loved the rhythm of baking, each step flowing into the next.
When the dough was ready, she retrieved it from the fridge and carefully sliced it into perfect rounds. The sugar coating shimmered, catching the sunlight streaming through the window.
Sliding the tray into the oven, she set the timer and let the magic unfold. The scent of Earl Grey and butter filled the kitchen as the cookies baked, their edges turning a delicate golden brown.
When the timer chimed, she opened the oven to a tray of cookies that looked like tiny works of art. She let them rest on the pan, their fragrance tantalizing, before transferring them to a wire rack.
As the cookies cooled, she brewed herself a pot of Earl Grey tea, the perfect companion to her creation. Taking a bite, she was met with the crispness of the sable and the subtle tea flavour that lingered on her palate.
Each cookie was a testament to balance: buttery richness, the floral depth of Earl Grey, and a hint of sweetness from the sugar crust. They were elegant yet comforting, perfect for an afternoon tea or a moment of solitude.
Later, as she shared the cookies with friends, their reactions were exactly what she had hoped for—wide smiles and endless compliments. The cookies were more than a treat; they were an experience, a reminder of how simple ingredients could create something extraordinary.
As the last cookie was enjoyed, she felt a quiet pride. Baking was her way of bringing joy to herself and those around her. And in those golden, tea-infused cookies, she had found a small, delicious piece of happiness.
