Baking with Loose Leaf Tea – IngenuiTea™ Gourmet Tea & Spice Company, LLC
a cup of organic brewed coffee with fruit and packaged tea

Baking with Loose Leaf Tea

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A cup of tea is a great accompaniment to just about anything you bake. But did you know that you can take your cookies, cakes, breads, (and even truffles!) up a notch by infusing them with the flavors of organic loose leaf tea?

Adding loose leaf tea to your baked goods gives them a unique flavor and creates a more elegant experience. Learn how to enhance your favorite baked goods with these 15 tips and recipes. 

 

5 Ways to Add Tea to Your Baked Goods

  • Infuse your milk - If your recipe calls for milk, you can use loose leaf tea to add another layer of flavor. Simply place your milk, cream, or even non-dairy milks like coconut or almond milk,  into a saucepan. Then, add a couple of tablespoons of your favorite loose leaf tea and allow the mixture to warm slowly over medium-low heat. Steep, without boiling, for about 10 to 15 minutes, and remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before straining your tea leaves and proceeding with your recipe. 

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  • Add flavor to butter - You can infuse unsalted butter in your cake or cookie recipe with loose leaf tea.  Start by melting the butter on the stovetop and then add your tea leaves.  Keeping the temperature low, allow the tea to steep in the butter for 10-12 minutes, being careful not to let the butter burn or brown. Remove and strain the tea leaves while the butter is still melted. Depending on what your recipe calls for, you can add the melted and infused butter directly, or allow it to solidify at room temperature first.

  • Mix with your dry ingredients - One of the easiest ways to add tea to your baked goods is to mix it in with your dry ingredients. But first, place your loose leaf tea into a food processor, pulsing a few times until it becomes a fine powder. Then add the tea directly into your dry ingredients and mix.

  • Infuse your sugar - Make your own tea-infused sugar that’s perfect for adding to your baked goods or as a sweet topping. Combine one tablespoon of your favorite loose leaf tea along with one cup of sugar - either granulated or confectioners - and place inside an airtight canister or jar. Shake or stir it every day for one week to help ensure that the tea flavor is fully infused. Then when you’re ready to use it, simply sift the sugar to remove the tea leaves, and you’re ready to go!

  • Color your desserts - Do you want to add color to your frosting without using artificial food dyes? Try using tea! It’s a healthier, natural alternative to infuse your frosting with color.  Simply steep your butter with a loose leaf tea of your choice, let the butter chill, then use it as you normally would in your recipe.

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    Baking With Loose Leaf Tea - 10 Delicious Recipes

    These 10 delicious recipes let the tea leaves do the talking.

    Chai Tea Cookies | Spoon University - Dense shortbread cookies, with the delicious aroma of chai tea - a perfect treat any time of the day.

    Pu'Erh Banana Bread | Sips by - Classic banana bread is enhanced with the flavor of pu’erh tea that has been steeped in milk.

    Earl Grey Chocolate Pots de Crème | Gourmande in the Kitchen - Simple to make, this recipe is the perfect combination of delicate black tea and rich, dark chocolate.

    Vanilla Rooibos Tea Cookies | Sips by - Aromatic rooibos and sweet vanilla are a truly sinful pair, and perfect with a hot cup of your favorite organic tea.

    Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Earl Grey Tea | Rosie Loves Tea - These extra-special muffins are a healthier option, but still full of flavor, infused with Earl Grey tea and bright lemon flavor.

    Chai Tea Cake with Black Tea Buttercream | Food 52 - This moist, black tea infused cake, with a perfectly-fluffy buttercream, will satisfy your sweet tooth.

    Rooibos Tea Truffles | Canadian Living - Divine white chocolate and rich rooibos tea are an unexpected combination in these flavorful truffles.

    Peach and Spiced Tea Muffins | Kitchn - Enjoy one of these tender muffins, filled with sweet peaches and infused with black tea.

    The Best Chocolate Tea Cake Recipe | Life is Better with Tea - The black tea in this cake helps to enhance the chocolate flavor, making it the go-to dessert for any occasion.

    Earl Grey Yogurt Cake | Bon Appetit - True to its name, this tea cake is fragrant and flavorful with the addition of loose leaf Earl Grey tea.


    Now it’s time to get creative in the kitchen and bake up a batch of these tea-infused goodies for yourself or someone you love. Our organic loose leaf teas will add just the flavor you’re looking for.  Get started baking with tea with our Classic Earl Grey, Caribbean Dreams, or Pu'Erh Chai Wisdom.