Desserts

Browned Butter-Earl Grey Cookies

Welcome to the art of making Browned Butter Earl Gray Cookies, an unparalleled cookie experience that will captivate your senses. This cookie recipe is no ordinary one; it is born out of passion, creativity, and a love for unique flavors.

Advertisement

How To Browned Butter-Earl Grey Cookies

The Genesis: Browning the Butter

Our journey begins with a crucial step, browning the butter. We begin with a half-cup (113 grams) of unsalted butter, melting it over medium heat to achieve a beautiful brown color. As the butter melts and browns, an aromatic world opens up before us, captivating our senses and setting the stage for the flavors to come.

The Tea Infusion

Parallel to browning the butter, we are preparing our tea. The choice of tea can be loose-leaf or bagged, but the essential point is to have it finely ground. You can use a small spice blender, a colander, or a sieve to achieve this. The goal is to have small pieces of tea that can infuse their essence into the cookies without leaving you crunching on large leaves.

Adding Vanilla: A Dash of Aromatic Sweetness

Once the butter is beautifully browned, it’s time to introduce vanilla to the mix. Half of a vanilla bean or a teaspoon of vanilla extract will do the trick. Stirring in the vanilla, you will hear and smell the enchanting aroma that will make this cookie truly heavenly.

Cooling Down and Spicing Up

Transfer the browned butter-vanilla mixture to a bowl to cool down. Speeding up the cooling process allows us to incorporate other flavorings quickly. At this stage, add a quarter teaspoon of cardamom and a tablespoon of your finely ground tea leaves. This will ensure the butter blooms with flavors and gets infused with the essence of the spices and tea.

It’s important to note that the butter mixture needs to cool for about 30-45 minutes until it’s spreadable. Stir it every 15 minutes to ensure even cooling.

The Sweet and Salty Balance

As the butter cools, we will prepare the other ingredients. Take half a cup of regular, softened butter and add half a cup (60 grams) of powdered sugar. We also add an egg yolk for structure and half a teaspoon of salt for balance. This isn’t a particularly sweet cookie; it relies on the perfect harmony of sweetness, complemented by complex flavors.

Incorporating the Flour

Once the butter-sugar mixture is creamy, we can start adding our dry ingredients. Sprinkle one and three quarter cups (210 grams) of all-purpose flour into the mixture. For additional structure and a tender crumb, add 40 grams (a quarter cup) of cornstarch. Combine until just mixed.

Chilling the Dough

Once the dough comes together, it’s time to chill it. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it up, and chill it in the fridge for about 20 to 30 minutes. This is an important step as it makes the dough easier to roll and shape later.

Advertisement

Rolling Out and Cutting the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to roll it out to a quarter of an inch thickness. You can cut the dough into any shapes you like, whether it’s classic circles, sunflowers, squares, or rectangles. The key is to re-roll the scraps and use every bit of dough. Once cut, chill the cookies for about an hour until they’re firm.

Baking and Glazing

The cookies are ready for baking at 350 Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges start to brown. As the cookies are cooling, it’s the perfect time to prepare a flavorful glaze.

The Glaze: A Flavor Symphony

The glaze for these cookies is not just a sweet topping, it is a harmonious combination of flavors that elevate the cookies. In a medium bowl, add one cup of powdered sugar, a pinch of cardamom, and the zest of one orange. The combination of orange, Earl Gray, and cardamom creates a melody of flavors that’s a dream come true.

A tablespoon of melted butter makes its way into the glaze, adding a hint of richness that takes it to another level. Finally, a tablespoon of warmed milk helps to bring everything together. Mix it up until it achieves a nice thick drizzle consistency.

Decorating the Cookies

Now that we have our glaze ready, it’s time to decorate the cookies. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cookies in any pattern you like. This is a chance to let your creativity shine and make each cookie a unique masterpiece.

The Culinary Symphony of Flavors

And there you have it! The cookies are ready to be enjoyed. Each bite is a symphony of flavors – the orange, browned butter, Earl Gray, vanilla, and cardamom all work in harmony to create a truly delicious experience. This cookie recipe is not just about the end product, but also the journey of creating something extraordinary from simple ingredients.

A Recipe for Creativity

The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its flavors but also in its potential for customization. You can use the base recipe and infuse it with other types of tea or spices that you enjoy. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making this recipe your own. Let your taste buds guide you to create your own version of these cookies.

In the end, making these Browned Butter Earl Gray Cookies is an adventure in flavor and creativity. The process is as satisfying as the delicious result. This is not just a cookie recipe; it’s an invitation to explore, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy the art of baking.

Required Kitchen Tools or Equipment:

  1. Pan for browning the butter
  2. Small spice blender or sieve for grinding the tea leaves
  3. Bowls for mixing ingredients
  4. Whisk or electric mixer for combining ingredients
  5. Fridge for cooling the butter and dough
  6. Wax cloth or plastic wrap for chilling the dough
  7. Rolling pin (preferably with thickness bumpers)
  8. Cookie cutters of various shapes
  9. Baking sheets
  10. Parchment paper
  11. Zester for the orange zest
  12. Oven for baking the cookies

Tips or Variations to the Recipe:

  1. Tea Variations: You can replace Earl Gray tea with other types of tea such as English Breakfast or Darjeeling depending on your preference.
  2. Spice Variations: If you’re not a fan of cardamom, feel free to use other spices that you enjoy.
  3. Flavor Additions: Experiment with adding other flavors or extracts to the cookie dough. For instance, you could try adding some almond extract for a nutty flavor or some cinnamon for a warm, sweet touch.
  4. Shape Variations: Feel free to cut the cookies into any shape you desire. Whether it’s circles, squares, or even fun shapes like hearts or stars, the possibilities are endless!
  5. Glaze Variations: You could experiment with other glazes. For example, you could use lemon instead of orange in the glaze for a different citrus twist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
    • While you can use salted butter, it’s better to use unsalted as this allows you to control the salt content in the cookies. If you only have salted butter, you may want to reduce the additional salt in the recipe.
  2. Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar?
    • Powdered sugar is recommended for this recipe as it gives the cookies a lighter texture. However, if you only have granulated sugar, you can use it, but the cookies might have a slightly different texture.
  3. Can I make the dough ahead and bake the cookies later?
    • Yes, you can make the dough ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to wrap it tightly to prevent it from drying out. You can then roll out the dough and bake the cookies when you’re ready.
  4. Can I freeze the baked cookies?
    • Yes, the baked cookies can be frozen. Just be sure to let them cool completely before freezing, and store them in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
  5. How long will these cookies keep?
    • These cookies will keep for about a week in an airtight container at room temperature. However, they are best enjoyed within the first few days of baking for optimal freshness.
  6. Can I use a different type of milk for the glaze?
    • Yes, you can use any type of milk you prefer or have on hand for the glaze. If you’re dairy-free, almond milk or oat milk could be good alternatives.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Browned Butter-Earl Grey Cookies


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Description

Browned Butter Earl Grey Cookies are a delectable treat for tea and cookie lovers alike. In this recipe, we infuse browned butter with aromatic Earl Grey tea leaves, creating a beautifully flavored dough. The cookies are then baked to perfection and finished with a citrusy, sweet glaze.


Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves

1/2 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

1/4 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 cup (113g) softened butter

1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 and 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour

1/4 cup (40g) cornstarch

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

A pinch of cardamom

Zest of 1 orange

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 tablespoon warm milk


Instructions

  1. Melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat in a pan until it browns.
  2. Add finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves to the melted butter and stir.
  3. Scrape the seeds from half a vanilla bean (or use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) and stir into the butter mixture.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool in the fridge for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled brown butter mixture with 1/2 cup of softened butter. Add powdered sugar, egg yolk, and salt, then beat until creamy.
  6. Mix in all-purpose flour and cornstarch until just combined. Do not overwork the dough.
  7. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in waxed cloth or plastic wrap, and chill for 20-30 minutes.
  8. Roll the chilled dough out to a quarter of an inch thickness, cut out your desired shapes, and chill the cut dough for another hour.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.
  10. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze by combining powdered sugar, cardamom, orange zest, melted butter, and warm milk.
  11. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and enjoy.
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Makes about 24 cookies
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Back to top button