Shortbread Tea Cookies + Free Mother’s Day Tag Printable

Every year, I look forward to Mother’s Day as a chance to slow down, set a beautiful table, and share something homemade with the women I love. This year, I wanted to create a treat that felt delicate, charming, and full of personality—something that would feel right at home at a garden tea party or tucked into a handmade gift box. That’s how these Mother’s Day tea bag cookies came to be.

These buttery shortbread cookies are shaped like tiny tea bags and dipped in pastel white chocolate for the prettiest finish. I served mine nestled in vintage teacups, with personalized tags hanging gently over the side. It was such a sweet surprise for my mom and grandmother—and the smiles said it all.

Whether you’re planning a brunch, gifting a homemade treat, or just want to spend a peaceful afternoon baking, these cookies are a joyful way to say, “You’re my cup of tea.”

Jump to Recipe

Why You’ll Love These Mother’s Day Tea Bag Cookies

• Delicate and beautiful – perfect for spring or garden parties
  
• Easy to customize – with colors, tags, and presentation
  
• Buttery and lightly sweet – not overly sugary
  
• So fun to make and share – especially with kids or friends
  

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  

For the decoration:

• 1 cup white melting chocolate (wafers or chips)
  
• Oil-based or powdered pastel food coloring (pink, mint, lavender, etc.)
  
• Optional: String or baker’s twine, small paper tags
  

How to Make Tea Bag Cookies

1. Make the Dough
Cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Stir in flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into rectangles (about 2 x 1.5 inches). Snip off the top corners to create the tea bag shape. Use a straw or skewer to poke a hole near the top. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.

3. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just golden. Let cool completely before decorating.

4. Color and Dip the Chocolate
Melt the white chocolate in 30-second microwave intervals. Separate into small bowls and tint each with your chosen food coloring. Use only oil-based or powdered coloring—water-based will cause the chocolate to seize.

Dip the bottom half of each cookie into the chocolate. Let set on wax paper. Add glitter, pearl dust, or sprinkles if desired.5. Add the Finishing Touches
Once the chocolate is dry, thread string through the hole and attach a tag. I wrote “Happy Mother’s Day”. You could also write the recipient’s name or a short message.

How I Made My Mother’s Day Tags in Canva

I designed my own cookie tags in Canva, which made it easy to add custom text, shapes, and colors. Here’s how you can do it too:

1. Open Canva and choose “Business Card” or “Label” as your template size.
   
2. Add a rectangle or teacup shape as the background.
   
3. Type your message in a pretty font (“You’re my cup of tea” is a favorite).
   
4. Use Canva Pro elements like floral illustrations or hearts to decorate.
   
5. Download as a PDF (for print), then print on cardstock and cut.
   
6. Punch a small hole in the corner to tie to your cookie string or glue to the string.
   

If you’d like to skip the design step, I’ve made it easy for you—just download my ready-to-print tea tag that says “Happy Mother’s Day” in a sweet, pink design! Click the link below to download the PDF, print it on cardstock, and add a hole punch to tie it to your cookie string or gift. It’s a quick and charming way to add a handmade touch to your Mother’s Day treat.

Click here to download the “Happy Mother’s Day” tea tag PDF

Serving Ideas

• In teacups – My favorite way to serve these! One cookie per cup, with tissue or a paper napkin.
  
• On a tiered stand – Mixed with other pastel treats for a brunch spread.
  
• In cellophane gift bags – Tied with ribbon and a flower. Perfect for party favors or school gifts.
  
• At place settings – A cookie on each plate with the tag as a name card.
  

Variations to Try

• Flavor twist: Add lemon zest, almond extract, or earl grey tea leaves to the dough.
  
• Color theme: Match your food coloring to the party (baby blue for showers, lavender for spring).
  
• Use milk or dark chocolate: For a richer finish instead of white.
  
• Shape shift: Use hearts or florals if you want a different shape but still decorate with pastel chocolate.
  
• Tag-free option: Skip the hole and string if gifting isn’t your goal—still adorable without!
  

Common Questions

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! The cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the plain cookies (before dipping) for up to a month.

Q: Can I use water-based food coloring?
No. Water-based food coloring will cause the chocolate to seize. Always use oil-based or powdered coloring when tinting chocolate.

Q: Do I have to use white chocolate?
Not at all! Milk or dark chocolate works too. The pastel look just won’t be as strong.

Q: Can kids help with this recipe?
Absolutely. Kids can dip the cookies and decorate with sprinkles. Threading the string and adding tags is a great craft activity too!

Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. The texture may be slightly more crumbly.

Final Thoughts

These Mother’s Day tea bag cookies are more than just a recipe—they’re a little handmade gesture of love. They’re the kind of treat that makes people pause, smile, and say “Oh my goodness, how cute!” I’ve found that in a world that’s always rushing, a cookie served in a teacup with a tiny personalized tag can be surprisingly powerful.

Whether you’re celebrating with brunch, gifting to a neighbor, or simply treating yourself, I hope these bring a little magic to your day.

Happy Mother’s Day—and happy baking!