1. Craft the Earl Grey Magic (5 minutes):

This step infuses the sugar with the delightful bergamot essence of Earl Grey tea.

• In a small food processor or spice grinder, combine the loose Earl Grey tea leaves (or finely ground tea from emptied tea bags) with ½ cup of granulated sugar.
• Pulse for 30-60 seconds, or until the tea leaves are finely ground and well incorporated into the sugar. Set this fragrant Earl Grey sugar aside.

2. Creaming the Butter and Sugar (3 minutes):

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar (not the Earl Grey sugar) using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

• Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.

3. A Touch of Sweetness and Structure (1 minute):

• Add the egg and the teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
• Beat on medium speed for another minute, until fully incorporated.

4. Dry Ingredients Unite (1 minute):

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

• Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the other bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.

5. Unveiling the Earl Grey Delight (1 minute):

• Now comes the moment to introduce the fragrant Earl Grey sugar! Sift the homemade Earl Grey sugar into the dough and gently fold it in using a rubber spatula. Ensure the tea-infused sugar is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

6. Chilled Dough, Perfect Cookies (at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight):

• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and gently press it into a disc shape. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.

7. Shaping and Preparing the Bakery (5 minutes):

• Once the dough has chilled, lightly flour a clean work surface.
• Roll out the dough to a desired thickness, aiming for ¼-inch for classic cookies or slightly thicker for a chewier texture.
• Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes, or cut squares for a rustic touch.
• Gently transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading.

8. Baking for Golden Perfection (10-12 minutes):

• Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Remember, they will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

9. Cooling and Finishing Touches (optional):

• Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cool enough to handle, you can dust them with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finishing touch.

Tips:

• Keep an eye on the cookies during baking, as ovens can vary.
• For a chewier cookie, bake for a minute or two less.
• Enjoy your delightful Earl Grey Cookies!