I have been meaning for quite some time to try baking with tea, I mean I love to drink it, so why not eat it too? Admittedly I mostly just drink standard black tea (English Breakfast, with milk, no sugar, about four cups a day; in case you were interested.).
And although I have a cupboard full of herbal teas I rarely stray away from my usual; although I am partial to the occasional cup of Earl Grey or chai. I tried to like green tea because I know it's good for me, but I just couldn't do it; even the flavoured ones had to be forced down... I do try and refrain from drinking caffeine after about 5pm though, so if I fancy a hot drink in the evening I go for camomile tea (or hot chocolate or hot spiced milk).
Camomile is widely used for is relaxing properties and to aid sleep and is delicious sweetened with a little honey. I thought that it would work well in some simple, buttery shortbread biscuits, paired with a bit of lemon zest.
It is a very delicate flavour, but takes the shortbread beyond being a simple biscuit to something a little more refined and elegant. Needless to say, they didn't last long, and went perfectly with a cup of tea (camomile or otherwise).
Shortbread is incredibly simple to make, and really doesn't take long at all; it is important to chill the biscuits well before you bake them though, as this ensures that they are crisp and stops them from spreading in the oven.
I add a little cornflour to mine, which gives them a lovely melt in the mouth texture. I just cut open a couple of camomile tea bags to get the tea leaves, make sure that it is finely ground stuff though - you don't want big bits in your biscuits.
Camomile Tea & Lemon Shortbread
Ingredients
- 225 g (1 cup) softened vegan block butter
- 110 g (½ cup + 1 Tablespoon) caster (superfine) sugar plus extra for sprinkling
- finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- The contents of 3 camomile tea bags (about 4 teaspoons, make sure it is finely ground tea)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 225 g (1 + ¾ cups + 2 Tablespoons) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 110 g (1 cup) cornflour (cornstarch)
Instructions
- Whisk the butter and sugar together in an electric mixer until pale and fluffy then cut open the tea bags and tip in the loose tea leaves ( make sure they are finely ground). Add the lemon zest and salt and whisk to combine.225 g (1 cup) softened vegan block butter, 110 g (½ cup + 1 Tablespoon) caster (superfine) sugar plus extra for sprinkling, finely grated zest of 1 lemon, The contents of 3 camomile tea bags, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and cornflour then add it to the butter mixture and mix until it forms a dough; shape into a ball. If it is too soft wrap it well and refrigerate for about an hour before rolling.225 g (1 + ¾ cups + 2 Tablespoons) plain (all-purpose) flour, 110 g (1 cup) cornflour (cornstarch)
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 5mm thick. Cut into whatever shapes you like and place on two baking trays, prick each biscuit several times with the tines of a fork. Place the trays of biscuits in the freezer for about 15 minutes (or for at least 30 mins in the fridge), while you heat the oven to 170°C/150℃ fan/325°F/gas mark 3.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, until just golden around the edges. Leave to cool on the trays for a couple of minutes then transfer to a wire rack, sprinkle with sugar and leave to cool completely.
The Free From Fairy
They look divine and I love the photos! Simply stunning x
hannahhossack
Thank you 🙂
eclecticoddsnsods
Exquisites photography, simply beautiful x
Amanda @ The Chunky Chef
Love this idea and those pictures are gorgeous!!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake
These look so good, I love shortbread. Your photos are beautiful too!
hannahhossack
Thank you 🙂 My garden is full of bluebells at the moment, they make great props!
Jhuls
English breakfast tea is the first tea I learned to love. I haven't taken it in quite a while as I turned into green tea and I am taking at least 5 cups a day amd sometimes, I reach 7 cups. 😀 These sound fabulous, Hanna! Gorgeous photos as usual. Happy FF! 🙂
hannahhossack
Wow! 7 cups a day! You must be very healthy 🙂 I wish I could make myself like green tea...
weebirdie
I drink all sort of teas, love green tea as you can imagine. I used Earl Grey and normal black tea in my baking, but I haven't tried camomile tea! Interesting! 🙂
hannahhossack
It is quite a subtle flavour, but very delicious 🙂
James Young
Incredibly short cookies. I think the only change I made was rolling out with powdered sugar instead of flour, but makes a great shortbread dough which held up to the manhandling my 2 year old gave it.
Suchitra
How clever of you to flavor the biscuits with tea!! What a nice idea. I am sure they tasted great!
hannahhossack
Thank you 🙂 They were delicious!
Julie is Hostess At Heart
These cookies look and sound delicious!
tentimestea
You're so right; these look incredibly delicate, elegant and refined--the crimped edges make them so pretty, and the flavours sound perfect together!
hannahhossack
Thank you! 🙂
Sneaky Veg
What absolutely beautiful photos! I often make tea bread, which is quite a heavy loaf made with dried fruit soaked in tea. I've never thought to make anything with camomile tea though. #bakeoftheweek
hannahhossack
Mmmm I like tea bread, haven't had any in ages though
Laura
Camomile tea is one of my favourites, I can't sleep without a little cup before bed! I think camomile shortbread sounds delicious!
Loretta
Gorgeous cookies with those unusual ingredients, loving your photos too 🙂
GFLife247
Oh wow, these are beautiful. I like your idea to use camomile for this treat too. Thanks for sharing, and have a fabulous weekend. 🙂
Sushma Balasubramanian
wow.. these looks so refreshing and inviting.. Glad that you shared it on FF.. Got a sneak peak.. 😉
eatmunchlove
I love camomile tea such a light and floral flavor. Thanks for sharing it on FF!
Selma's Table
Lovely idea to use the camomile leaves in the biscuits - and lovely photos too! Happy Fiesta Friday!
hannahhossack
Thanks Selma 🙂
grannydeez
These sound divine, camomile and lemon. I have found the only green tea I can drink is Nerada organic.
hannahhossack
I don't think we have that brand in the UK 🙁 I probably just need to try a few different brands to find one I like...
Jeni
We sell strawberry Green tea which is lush!
Coombe Mill
I'm sold just on the photos, they are so dreamy and feminine
hannahhossack
Thank you! There are so many bluebells around at the moment - they make great props! 🙂
bakeplaysmile
Thoe photos have me drooling! What a great flavour combination!
hannahhossack
Thank you! 🙂
Zamamabakes
Oh these sound delicious and just what I need this week, something to calm. Loving the flavour combo.