Christmas and Holiday Gift Idea: Sugar Cookies and Tea

/

Sugar cookies and tea...there couldn't be a lovelier combination.

Christmas is a time for cozy and warm moments.  Why not give your friends a bake-at-home roll of sugar cookie dough and some loose leaf tea as a gift this year? Ready for baking and brewing, the classic combo of tea and cookies will delight both young and old.

I love tea and usually go for Mariage Freres teas. This year, I decided to go to a local tea shop, Spike's Coffee and Tea in the Castro. My sister reminded me of their great tea selection and friendly service. She was right, Trevor, who was on duty, was patient and helpful, even though the customers kept streaming through the door. Although I kept adding flavors, the bill was still reasonable and the packaging was lovely.

I purchased six quarter pound bags of loose leaf tea, including Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchang, Chai, Russian Caravan and Moroccan Mint. Depending on each of my friends' tastes, I will chose a tea to include with the cookie dough.If you can, grab some actual tea filters or a tea strainer to include in the gift. Some friends may get a few small bags of each flavor of tea

Here's a link to brewing the perfect cup of tea, as per Twinings of London. You may want to include the link with the recipe below so you're friends can make the best cup of tea ever. You can also add a jar of frosting, or a copy of the recipe.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

Sugar Cookies and Tea Gift Set

(All pictures are cookies made with standard all-purpose white flour. You can replace white flour with Gluten Free Pantry's All Purpose Flour Mix)

Make the dough:

You can find the dough recipe here.

Instead of baking right away,  wrap the dough into 4 portions into waxed paper logs, tie with ribbon and refrigerate.

Include these instructions with the roll of cookie dough:

  1. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  2. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in a 375 degree preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.
  3. Frost (recipe here) and serve with a cup of brewed tea.