Earl Grey Stained Glass Floral Cookies (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

There’s something truly magical about biting into a cookie that’s not only delicious but also visually stunning. These Earl Grey Stained Glass Floral Cookies capture that essence perfectly—delicate tea-infused shortbread with translucent “stained glass” centers that catch the light beautifully. The best part? They’re completely vegan and gluten-free, making them accessible to almost everyone at your table.

I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years, and it’s become one of my absolute favorites for spring gatherings, afternoon tea parties, or whenever I want to impress guests with something that looks far more complicated than it actually is. The subtle bergamot notes from the Earl Grey tea pair beautifully with the sweet, jewel-toned centers, creating a cookie that’s sophisticated yet whimsical.

What Makes These Cookies Special

These cookies are truly a celebration of contrasts—crisp edges with melt-in-your-mouth centers, subtle tea flavors with sweet candy windows, and rustic charm with elegant presentation. The vegan shortbread base carries delicate Earl Grey notes throughout, while the “stained glass” centers add both visual interest and a satisfying textural contrast.

What I love most about this recipe is how adaptable it is—you can create any shape you like, use different tea varieties, and play with colors to match any occasion. They’re perfect for holidays, special events, or simply to brighten someone’s day.

Ingredients

For the Earl Grey Cookie Dough:

• 2¼ cups fine gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
• 3 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea leaves, finely ground
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup vegan butter, at room temperature
• ⅔ cup organic cane sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons water (flax egg)
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon plant milk (almond or oat works well)

For the Stained Glass Centers:

• 1½ cups vegan hard candies in various colors (like Jolly Ranchers)
• OR
• 2 cups organic cane sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• Natural food coloring (plant-based)

Equipment Needed

• Stand mixer or large bowl with hand mixer
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (flower shapes and smaller cutters for centers)
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Food processor or coffee grinder (for grinding tea leaves)
• Candy thermometer (if making your own candy centers)
• Cooling rack
• Small ziplock bags or parchment paper squares

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Earl Grey Cookie Dough

1. Make the flax egg: Combine ground flaxseed with water in a small bowl, stir well, and let sit for 10 minutes until thickened and gelatinous.
2. Grind the tea leaves: Place loose Earl Grey tea leaves in a clean coffee grinder or food processor and pulse until finely ground. The finer the grind, the more evenly the tea flavor will distribute throughout your cookies.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, ground tea leaves, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream butter and sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the vegan butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming creates the perfect texture.
5. Add remaining wet ingredients: Beat in the prepared flax egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. If the dough seems too crumbly, add the tablespoon of plant milk.
7. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions and form each into a disk. Wrap in reusable food wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Chilling is crucial for gluten-free dough to hydrate properly and prevent spreading during baking.

Rolling and Cutting the Cookies

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Prepare work surface: Lightly dust a clean work surface with a bit of gluten-free flour. Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator (keeping the other chilled).
3. Roll the dough: Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. If the dough sticks, place a sheet of parchment paper on top before rolling.
4. Cut cookie shapes: Using flower-shaped cookie cutters, cut out as many cookies as possible. Then, use smaller cutters to create “windows” in the center of each cookie where the stained glass will go. Transfer the cut cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5. Re-roll scraps: Gather any dough scraps, re-roll, and cut more cookies until all the dough is used. If the dough becomes too soft, return it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before continuing.
6. Repeat with remaining dough: Remove the second disk of dough from the refrigerator and repeat the rolling and cutting process.

Creating the Stained Glass Centers

Option 1: Using Store-Bought Hard Candies

1. Crush the candies: Sort hard candies by color and place each color in a separate small ziplock bag. Use a rolling pin to crush the candies into small pieces (not powder—you want small chunks).
2. Fill cookie centers: Carefully spoon the crushed candy pieces into the center cutout of each cookie, filling just to the level of the dough (don’t overfill). You can create color patterns or use single colors as desired.

Option 2: Making Your Own Candy Centers (For Complete Control)

1. Prepare sugar mixture: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
2. Cook the syrup: Once the sugar dissolves, stop stirring and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook until the syrup reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
3. Add coloring: Remove from heat and quickly divide the mixture among heat-safe containers. Add a few drops of plant-based food coloring to each portion and stir quickly.
4. Fill cookie centers: Working quickly before the syrup hardens, carefully spoon the colored syrup into the cookie centers, filling just to the level of the dough.

Baking and Cooling

1. Bake the cookies: Place the filled cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just beginning to turn golden and the candy centers have melted completely.
2. Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for at least 10 minutes (the candy centers need to harden). Then, carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. The stained glass centers will be extremely hot right out of the oven, so be patient!

Tips for Perfect Earl Grey Stained Glass Cookies

Getting the Earl Grey Flavor Just Right

• Freshness matters: Use fresh, high-quality Earl Grey tea for the most vibrant bergamot flavor.
• Tea variations: Try Lady Grey or Cream of Earl Grey for subtle variations in flavor.
• Infused butter: For an even stronger tea flavor, steep the tea leaves in melted vegan butter for 5-10 minutes, strain, then resolidify the butter before using in the recipe.

Mastering the Gluten-Free Dough

• Choose the right flour: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.
• Temperature matters: Keep your dough cool throughout the process—gluten-free dough can become sticky when warm.
• Precision counts: Measure your ingredients by weight if possible for the most consistent results.

Creating Perfect Stained Glass Centers

• Color combinations: Create ombré or rainbow effects by placing different colored candies next to each other.
• Proper filling: Don’t overfill the centers—the candy will expand slightly while melting.
• Bubble prevention: If small bubbles form during baking, you can pop them with a toothpick while the candy is still hot.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These cookies maintain their beauty and flavor remarkably well when stored properly:

Make It Your Own: Variations and Substitutions

Tea Variations

• Substitute the Earl Grey with chai spices for a warm, spiced cookie
• Try matcha powder for vibrant green tea cookies
• Use lavender tea for a floral variation
• Experiment with fruit-flavored teas like peach or raspberry

Flavor Additions

• Add 1 tablespoon orange or lemon zest to the dough
• Include 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom or cinnamon
• Mix in 1 tablespoon culinary dried lavender with the Earl Grey
• Add 1/4 teaspoon rose water for a subtle floral note

Shape Ideas

• Use heart shapes for Valentine’s Day
• Create star cookies for winter holidays
• Make butterfly shapes for spring gatherings
• Try leaf shapes for autumn celebrations

Serving Suggestions

These cookies deserve to be showcased! Here are my favorite ways to serve them:

• Arrange on a tiered stand for afternoon tea alongside fresh berries
• Package in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for beautiful gifts
• Serve alongside a pot of Earl Grey tea (naturally!)
• Create a dessert board with these cookies as the centerpiece, surrounded by fresh fruit, chocolate pieces, and nuts
• Stack gently in a tall glass jar for an eye-catching display
• Use as elegant cake toppers for special occasion cakes
• Serve with dairy-free vanilla ice cream for a simple yet impressive dessert

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Common Questions

Can I make these cookies with regular all-purpose flour if I don’t need them to be gluten-free? Yes! You can substitute the gluten-free flour with an equal amount of all-purpose flour. The dough might be slightly less fragile and easier to work with.

How far in advance can I make these for a party? The cookies are best made 1-2 days before your event. Store them in a single layer if possible to preserve the stained glass effect.

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of the hard candies? The stained glass effect specifically requires hard candy that melts and then re-hardens to create the transparent window. Food coloring alone won’t create this effect.

My vegan butter seems very soft. Should I still chill the dough? Absolutely! Chilling is even more important with soft vegan butter. You might want to chill the dough for 2 hours instead of the minimum 1 hour.

Can I hang these cookies as edible ornaments? Yes! Before baking, use a drinking straw to create a small hole near the top of each cookie (away from the stained glass center). After cooling completely, thread ribbon or string through the hole.

The centers of my cookies are bubbling during baking. Is this normal? Some bubbling is normal, but excessive bubbling might mean your oven temperature is too high. If this happens, you can carefully pop large bubbles with a toothpick while the candy is still hot.

Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf tea? Yes, though you’ll need to cut open the tea bags and measure out the appropriate amount. Keep in mind that the tea in bags is often more finely ground than loose leaf, so you might want to use slightly less.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking? The cookie edges should be just beginning to turn golden, and the candy centers should be completely melted with no solid pieces visible.

Why These Cookies Are Worth the Effort

There’s something truly magical about holding these cookies up to the light and seeing the jewel-toned centers glow. They transform an ordinary cookie platter into something extraordinary, and the subtle complexity of the Earl Grey flavor elevates them from simple sugar cookies to sophisticated treats.

I love making these cookies when I want to slow down and enjoy the process of baking. The methodical steps of cutting the dough, arranging the candy pieces, and watching the transformation in the oven feels almost meditative. And the payoff—those gasps of delight when people see them—makes every careful moment worthwhile.

Whether you’re baking these for a special occasion or simply to bring a bit of beauty into your everyday, these Earl Grey Stained Glass Floral Cookies are certain to create a moment of joy for anyone lucky enough to receive them.

Happy baking!

Q&A Section

Do I really need to grind the tea leaves or can I use them whole? Grinding the tea leaves helps distribute the Earl Grey flavor evenly throughout the dough and prevents any unpleasantly large pieces in the finished cookies. If you don’t have a grinder, you can place the leaves between parchment paper and crush them with a rolling pin, though the flavor may be less pronounced.

How thick should I roll the dough for best results? About ¼-inch thickness works best. Any thinner and the cookies may break easily; any thicker and they might not bake evenly with the candy centers.

Can I make these cookies without the stained glass effect? Absolutely! The Earl Grey shortbread base is delicious on its own. Simply bake without the cutout centers, and reduce the baking time by about 2 minutes.

What’s the best way to store leftover dough? Wrap unused dough tightly in parchment paper or reusable food wrap, place in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Can I use coconut oil instead of vegan butter? You can substitute solid coconut oil for vegan butter, but the texture and flavor will be different. If using coconut oil, make sure it’s solid but workable (similar to the consistency of butter) and consider adding ¼ teaspoon salt to the recipe.

How do I prevent the centers from overflowing during baking? Be careful not to overfill the cutouts with candy pieces—fill just to slightly below the level of the cookie. Also, make sure your cutouts have clean edges with no cracks that might allow the melted candy to seep out.

Can I make these without artificial food coloring? Yes! Look for plant-based food colorings made from vegetable and fruit extracts, or make your own colored candy using fruit juices reduced with sugar to create naturally colored centers.