Earl Grey Stained Glass Cookies (Printable Version)

Delicate Earl Grey-infused cookies with stained glass candy centers and edible flowers. Perfect for afternoon tea.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
02 - 1/3 cup almond flour
03 - 2 Earl Grey tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose leaf tea
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1/2 cup organic granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
08 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk
09 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Stained Glass Centers

11 - 1/2 cup vegan hard candies, various colors, crushed
12 - Edible dried flowers (rose petals, cornflower, violets, lavender)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Open the Earl Grey tea bags and finely grind the contents if using loose leaves.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, almond flour, ground Earl Grey tea, baking powder, and salt.
04 - In a large bowl, cream together the vegan butter and sugar until fluffy. Add plant milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and mix well.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a soft dough forms. If too sticky, chill for 15 minutes.
06 - Lightly flour a surface with gluten-free flour. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
07 - Use a large cookie cutter for the outer shape and a small cutter to create a window in the center. Transfer the cut cookies to the prepared trays.
08 - Fill the cut-out centers with 1-2 teaspoons crushed vegan candy. Sprinkle with a few edible flowers, pressing gently so they adhere to the candy.
09 - Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are just golden and candy centers have melted.
10 - Allow cookies to cool fully on the tray before transferring, as the stained glass will harden as they cool.

# Quick Tips:

01 -
  • These cookies transform ordinary baking into something almost magical, especially when sunlight hits them
  • The Earl Grey infusion adds this sophisticated depth that balances the candy's sweetness perfectly
  • Theyre gluten-free and vegan without requiring any specialty ingredients beyond what youd find in a well-stocked natural foods aisle
02 -
  • The first time I tried to move these cookies too soon, the candy centers were still soft and I accidentally smeared the glass effect—patience during cooling is absolutely essential
  • Crushing your own hard candies instead of buying pre-crushed lets you control both the size and color combinations for a more intentional look
  • Not all edible flowers maintain their color well in the oven—lavender can brown quickly, so I often add it after baking with a tiny dab of melted candy as glue
03 -
  • Chill your cut cookie shapes on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before adding the candy filling—this helps them hold their shape perfectly during baking
  • Use the back of a measuring spoon to gently press the crushed candy into an even layer, which creates a more uniform stained glass effect

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