Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Recipe from Bakeat350.blogspot.com

makes 12-24, depending on cookie cutter size...12 queens using this cutter

Instructions:

• 1 cup unsalted European butter (I use Land O' Lakes)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons 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

Instructions:

1. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until combined and fluffy.
3. Mix in the tea and orange extract until thoroughly combined.
4. On low speed, add in the salt and flour, mixing just until incorporated and a dough forms.
5. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4" thick. Cut into shapes.
6. Place the cut-out shapes on a cookie sheet and freeze for 10 minutes before baking. (This will help the cookies keep their shape.)
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.
8. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use kitchen-only tweezers to place the sugar pearls. Once placed, press them down slightly into the warm cookies.
9. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.