Dessert

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting Recipe

ByGabriel Langdon February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

Introduction

London Fog Cookies with Lavender Frosting are a delightful treat inspired by the classic Earl Grey tea latte. These soft, fragrant cookies combine the subtle floral notes of lavender with the distinctive bergamot flavor of Earl Grey, topped with a creamy, dreamy frosting. Perfect for tea time or special occasions.

The image shows several round cookies with a light beige color, each topped with a thick, swirled layer of smooth lavender-colored frosting. Small purple flower petals are sprinkled delicately on top of the frosting. The cookies are arranged on a white plate resting on a white marbled surface. Nearby is a white bowl filled with dried purple flower petals, adding to the soft, pastel color theme. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
2 3/4 cups (344 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar (for lavender sugar)
1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
1 cup (130 g) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste (for frosting)
Purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Lavender Sugar: Pulse the culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground, then sift to remove large bits. Set aside half of the ground lavender for the frosting. Mix the remaining lavender with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and set aside.
Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Grind Earl Grey Tea: Pulse the Earl Grey tea in a food processor until finely ground, then sift out any large bits.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground Earl Grey tea until combined.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until combined.
Form Cookie Balls: Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough, roll into balls, then coat each ball evenly in the lavender sugar.
Arrange Cookies: Place dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and shape into a neat circle.
Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes. After baking, let them sit on the sheet for 5 minutes. While warm, use a large circular cookie cutter to perfect the shape.
Cool Cookies: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar, reserved ground lavender, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and optional purple food coloring. Mix until very fluffy.
Frost Cookies: Once cookies are cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting evenly on each cookie using a mini offset spatula.
Serve: Enjoy these elegant London Fog Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips & Variations

For a more intense Earl Grey flavor, steep the tea leaves in a tablespoon of hot water for 5 minutes and reduce the flour slightly, then add the soaked leaves to the dough.
If you prefer a less floral taste, reduce the culinary lavender by half or skip the purple food coloring for a natural look.
Make sure to use culinary-grade lavender to avoid any bitterness or unwanted flavors.
Substitute vanilla bean paste with pure vanilla extract if unavailable, though the paste adds a more aromatic vanilla note.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep the frosting fresh. Let the cookies come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months and frost them after thawing.

How to Serve

The image shows several round cookies with soft, light tan bases topped with a thick layer of light purple frosting, swirled smoothly in circular motions. Each cookie has a small amount of dried lavender sprinkled on top of the frosting. The cookies rest on a white oval plate placed on a white marbled surface. Nearby, there is a small white bowl filled with dried lavender flowers. A white flower is partially visible near the bottom edge of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular tea instead of Earl Grey?

You can substitute with black tea, but Earl Grey’s distinctive bergamot aroma is key to the cookie’s unique flavor. Using another tea will change the taste significantly.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting?

Keep the cookies refrigerated until serving and avoid frosting them too far in advance if your kitchen is warm. Using cream cheese and butter straight from the fridge helps maintain firmness.