These plant-based vegan shortbread cookies are delicious and more comfortable with making than most cookies. It comes together in 30 minutes and is a holiday must! You can make many variations with these sweet, buttery finger cookies, but my favourite are these fragrant robust Vegan Plant-Based Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies! Gluten-free and refined sugar-free option.
Some people swear to use only butter for the best flavour and results. Every time I see recipes asking for 2 cups of butter, I shudder. Even though I adore shortbread cookies, I’m automatically calculating how long I need to run to burn off the calories every time I think of how much butter is in them!
I used to buy these expensive shortbread cookies from a coffee shop next to my hairdresser’s salon. I have a weak spot for them. Those chubby little shortbread fingers were delicious with coffee.
Healthy Plant-Based Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free Options
For a healthier take on making shortbread cookies, I used Becel plant-based “butter” for a vegan base. You can also choose Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose flour if you want to make these cookies gluten-free. Use organic maple syrup in place of granulated sugar if you want it to be refined-sugar-free too!
To make these simple shortbread cookies more fragrant and enjoyable, I infused Vanilla Earl Grey tea leaves into the cookie dough. Grind the whole tea leaves in a coffee grinder with a spice grinder accessory kit until finely powdered. 1 1/2 tablespoons should do the trick without overpowering the cookies!
Feel free to use your favourite tea leaves, hojicha tea powder or organic matcha green tea powder as a substitutes. Genmaicha green tea is also very lovely!
Option for vanilla paste with seeds instead of vanilla extra for a bold vanilla flavour that is unmatched.
Shape it into chubby fingers or roll them into 1/2 inch disks. What do you prefer? I love snacking on these shortbread cookies with a nice hot cup of Earl Grey Hot Chocolate by the fireplace!
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I’D LOVE SEE HOW YOU WENT WITH MY RECIPES! LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW OR TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS
Print
VEGAN PLANT-BASED EARL GREY SHORTBREAD
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dessert
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These plant-based vegan shortbread cookies are delicious and more comfortable with making than most cookies. It comes together in 30 minutes and is a holiday must! You can make many variations with these sweet, buttery finger cookies, but my favourite are these fragrant robust Vegan Plant-Based Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies! Gluten-free and refined sugar-free option.
Ingredients
- 1/2 C plant-based butter, softened at room temperature (I used Becel Plant-Based Unsalted)
- 1/3 C maple syrup (or 3/4 cup granulated sugar)
- 2 1/4 C All Purpose flour (or Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose flour)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Earl Grey tea leaves, finely powdered
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Grind the Vanilla Earl Grey tea leaves in a coffee grinder with a spice grinder accessory kit until finely powdered.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 C).
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream butter until it is creamy.
- Add finely powdered Vanilla Earl Grey tea leaves, pure vanilla extract, maple syrup or granulated sugar, sea salt and blend.
- Add flour slowly in 3 or 4 intervals and blend until thoroughly mixed.
- Remove from stand mixer and work the dough until you can shape it into ball. The dough should press together without being sticky.
- With a rolling pin, roll the dough our and then flatten approximately 1 inch in height.
Use a dough cutter and cut the dough into 1″ x 3″ rectangles. - Refrigerate for 15 minutes to harden.
- Remove from refrigerator.
- Cut cookie dough into vertical 1 inch stripes.
- Carefully transfer cut cookie dough to prepared parchment paper lined large cookie sheet, spacing them 1/2 inch apart.
- Use a fork to gently poke some holes in each cookie so it will not crack with baking.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes or until light golden brown. Keep a close eye at the 14 minute mark.
- Remove from oven and let rest on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. The cookies will start to harder quickly.
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
Buy Now →
organic matcha green tea powder
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all purpose baking flour
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Notes
- If the dough is sticky, add 1-2 tbsp flour and knead it.
- If the dough is too dry, add a little more 1-2 tbsp maple syrup.
- Divide the cookie dough in half (into two balls). It makes rolling it out easier.
- Cut cookie dough into 1/2 inch discs if you prefer round shortbreads instead of 1″ x 3″ rectangles.
- If the cookie dough has become too hard in the refrigerator, let rest for 5 minutes to soften.
- You do not need to grease the cookie sheet.
- Cookies can be stored up to 1 week.
- Double the recipe for a large batch.
Keywords: best shortbread recipe, Vegan Desserts, Plant Based Desserts, Vegan cookies, Plant Based cookies, Christmas Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Shortbread Cookies, Earl Grey Tea, Vanilla, non-dairy butter, gluten-free cookies,
PIN THE ABOVE IMAGE TO YOUR DESSERT RECIPE BOARD TO BOOKMARK THIS PAGE. WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR RECIPES WITH YOU!
MORE VEGAN RECIPES:
- VEGAN PLANT-BASED BURGER WITH ISRAELI SALAD
- SZECHUAN MAPO TOFU 麻婆豆腐
- BIBIMBAP RICE BOWL AND SPICY SESAME SAUCE
- KIMCHI CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE
- VEGAN-ISH OKONOMIYAKI CAULIFLOWER BITES
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY VEGAN SOUP
- ACTIFRY BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH GARLIC CHILI
- BLUEBERRY LEMON ZEST COCONUT MILK ICE CREAM
- KETO FRIENDLY BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE
- HOMEMADE POPPYSEED DRESSING
- CRANBERRY FRISEE SALAD
- HOJICHA OAT MILK ICE CREAM (NO CHURN, EGG FREE, DAIRY FREE)
- NO MAYO APPLE VINEGAR COLESLAW
This post contains affiliate links and/or products submitted to Nomss for editorial consideration. To find out more, please visit our About/Disclaimer page.
Remove Ad-Block to view shopping guide!
I love Earl Grey, especially infused into cookies! And these are sooo easy!
★★★★★
simple wins!
I love both shortbread AND earl grey so this is a win-win recipe for me!! I wonder if almond flour would work?
★★★★★
i haven’t tried with almond flour. I wonder too! I think with almond flour on baking is required.
I’m a big fan of Earl Grey, so I know I’m going to love these cookies. Happy New Year!
★★★★★
perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon!
These look super easy and delicious, love that you have given the tip on how to make it gluten free.
★★★★★
I’m glad the GF option comes in handy!
Love the flavours of this cookie. Perfect with a cup of tea!
★★★★★
Thanks Julia!! It’s delightful with tea or coffee!
Wow! These cookies are packed with lovely flavors – Earl Grey is one of my fav teas! Perfect cookies for throughout the year, I say!
★★★★★
I’d say you are absolutely right Vigitha!
Loving the flavors and the look of these earl grey shortbread cookies so much! Thanks for the suggestions, I think the genmaitcha green tea ones would be lovely, too!
★★★★★
Thanks Loreto! I’m really loving these tea infused flavours!
These cookies are perfect for a tea lover like me!! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
You’re welcome Vanessa! Maybe try this with your favourite tea?
What a great idea. Will add to my holiday baking tray to giveaway to family and friends.
★★★★★
Love Christmas Holiday cookie boxes!!