Peach Iced Tea Cookies

Peach Iced Tea Cookies

Tea cookies were a special treat when I was growing up. They are usually dainty and served with, you guessed it..tea. These little bites of joy were a highlight anytime I was invited to a tea party with my Granma Mae. As a child, being able to sit and enjoy time with the adult ladies was always special and I think that is why I learned to enjoy the gatherings which always surrounded a topic of faith.

As a child I didn’t understand what the ladies were chatting about, but I remember they always had their bibles out and would look up scriptures together. Prayer was also a big part of these gatherings. These ladies taught me to pray in a casual, comfortable way.

Granma Mae has been gone for years now but her lessons on living and loving, especially the Lord and family will always stay with me. Some of the life lessons I have tried to pass to my children, like loving others and caring for your family members despite their failings.

Family always came first to Granma Mae. She and her teaching me about Jesus are the reason for my firm foundations in the faith. I can’t wait to see her again in Heaven.

While looking over recipes recently, I stumbled on an old cookie recipe that was a favorite of mine as a child and thought I would share it.

Peach Iced Tea Cookies

 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (1/4 cup if using dried)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter (brought to room temperature)
2 eggs
1/4 cup brewed unsweetened peach iced tea
1/4 cup cream (milk or half n half)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Slice or tear the mint leaves if using fresh, removing the stems
• Place the mint leaves and sugar in a food processor and pulse until the mint is combined with the sugar
• In a large bowl, combine the butter and mint/sugar mixture together with an electric mixer until well creamed together
• Add eggs and continue to mix making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl
• Slowly add the milk, tea, and lemon yest, mixing to combine (make sure to scrape walls to incorporate everything)
• Combine the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl, gently whisk with a fork to combine
• Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet and mix until all are combined (make sure to scrape sides as needed)
• Drop mounds of cookie dough using a teaspoon or a small cookie scooper on baking sheets (line with parchment paper to baking sheet to prevent sticking)
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. The cookies will be puffy and start to turn golden brown around the edges to indicate they are done. Do not over cook.
• Remove from oven and allow cookies to settle on the baking sheets for several minutes before moving to cooling racks (if you move them too soon they will break and crumble)
• Allow to completely cool before storing in an airtight container

These cookies are a mouthful of peach and mint that just reminds me of summer. The recipe is easy to mix up with other flavors. If you want to brew a different type of tea just heat 1/4 cup of cream or milk and 1/4 cup water in microwave until hot but not boiling and brew your tea while you prepare the other items. I will say that Lavender tea is amazing in cookies!

Do you have a favorite cookie recipe that brings back special memories?