Pip, pip! Cheer-io! 'Ello Guv-na!
{That's all I can say with a British accent. I wonder if the Queen can speak Texan?}
Well, I couldn't resist this Queen cookie cutter. Ever since Kate Middleton arrived on the scene, my interest in the monarchy has definitely increased. Seriously though...England, we will trade you all of the Kardashians (and a Kanye) for your Kate. Even just for the day. Heck, you can keep the Kardashians. (Please.)
[Note: I bought my cookie cutter from Fancy Flours. It's also available from World Market and Amazon.]
In keeping with the royalty (royal-tea) theme, these shortbread cookies are flavored with Earl Grey tea and European butter.
Earl Grey tea is black tea flavored with oil of Bergamot, from the Bergamot orange. So good. The cookies end up looking at little like poppyseed cookies, but the specks are from the tea. The orange flavor really shines here in these super buttery cookies.
Let's not forget that the Queen needs her pearls.
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
{makes 12-24, depending on cookie cutter size...12 queens using this cutter}
1 cup unsalted European butter (I use Land O' Lakes)
3/4 cup sugar
3 TBSP Earl Grey tea (if the tea is very coarse, run through a spice grinder, then measure)
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 & 1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
sugar pearls for decorating
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325.
Beat the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until combined and fluffy. Mix in the tea and orange extract until thoroughly combined.
On low speed, add in the salt and flour, mixing just until incorporated and a dough forms.
On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4" thick. Cut into shapes. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 10 minutes before baking. (This will help the cookies keep their shape.)
Bake for 15 minutes or until done. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use kitchen-only tweezers to place the sugar pearls. Once placed, press down slightly into the warm cookie. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
*adapted from the King Arthur Flour Go-Anywhere Shortbread recipe
*Amazon links are affiliate links
All hail the Queen (cookie)!
