Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Maggie_the_spy's Note:

These delicate ice-box cookies are baked with real Earl Grey tea leaves in the dough. They are crunchy and slightly sweet, with a hint of orange and sea salt. From Martha Stewart's Cookies

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 32

Yield: 96.0 cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons earl grey tea (leaves, about 4 bags worth)
• ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Directions:

1. Whisk together flour, salt, and finely ground tea leaves in a bowl.
2. Put butter (cooled to room temperature), confectioners' sugar, and orange zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Reduce speed to low and gradually add in flour mixture until just combined.
3. Divide dough in half. Transfer each half to a piece of parchment paper and shape into logs. Roll in parchment to 1 1/4 inches in diameter and transfer logs into paper towel tubes, to keep shape. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut logs into 1/4 inch thick slices. Space 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment.
5. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through cooking, until edges are golden (13-15 minutes). Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.