As the crispness of autumn settles in and the holidays approach, there’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of freshly baked cookies. Enter Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies, a cozy, aromatic treat that captures the essence of fall in every bite. With their buttery texture, chewy center, and a mix of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, these cookies are reminiscent of a classic chai latte but in cookie form. Whether you’re gathering with family for the holidays or simply treating yourself to a sweet snack, these cookies are the perfect addition to your baking repertoire.
What Are Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies?
Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies are a delightful variation of the classic sugar cookie, infused with warm chai-inspired spices. These cookies are buttery, soft, and chewy on the inside, while the outside is slightly crisp and dusted with a chai-flavored sugar coating. The rich flavors of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves create a comforting blend that evokes the feeling of sipping on a cozy chai latte during chilly weather.
The Origin of Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies
While sugar cookies have been a beloved treat for centuries, the combination of chai spices with sugar cookies is a modern twist. Chai, a spiced tea traditionally from India, has become popular around the world due to its rich, aromatic flavors. The idea of blending chai spices into baked goods is an inventive way to capture the warm, fragrant experience of drinking chai in a new form. These Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies are a perfect fusion of classic cookie flavors and exotic chai spices, bringing together the best of both worlds.
Ingredients for Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies
For the Cookies:
- 2¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¾ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk or cream
For Rolling (Chai Sugar Coating):
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- ⅛ tsp ginger
Step-by-Step Directions and Preparation Method
1. Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure easy cleanup. This will allow your cookies to bake evenly and maintain their shape.
2. Make the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, allspice). This mixture ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Next, in a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step is essential for achieving the soft, chewy texture of the cookies.
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until everything is smooth and well combined.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. Once everything is combined, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps the dough hold its shape and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
3. Roll and Coat
While the dough chills, prepare the chai sugar coating by mixing together granulated sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger in a small bowl.
Once the dough has chilled, scoop out about 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each dough ball in the spiced sugar mixture, coating it evenly. Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This ensures that the cookies have enough room to spread as they bake.
4. Bake
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven, so be sure not to overbake them.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Serve and Store
Enjoy the cookies warm or at room temperature. These cookies are perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Variations of Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies
While the traditional Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies are already packed with flavor, there are several ways to customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences:
1. Glazed Chai Cookies
Add a glaze for extra sweetness and flavor. Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2–3 tsp milk, and a pinch of chai spice. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies for a beautiful and delicious finish.
2. Fancier Twist: Add Black Pepper
For a more authentic chai flavor, add a dash of black pepper to the cookie dough or chai sugar coating. The pepper will add a subtle heat and complexity, making the cookies even more reminiscent of a traditional chai.
3. Tea-Lover’s Version
To intensify the chai flavor, steep 1 tbsp black tea (or chai tea) in the melted butter. Strain the tea leaves and chill the butter before using it in the cookie dough. This infusion of tea will give your cookies an incredible depth of flavor.
FAQs About Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
A: It’s best to use unsalted butter for this recipe, as it allows you to control the amount of salt in the dough. If you only have salted butter, reduce or eliminate the additional salt in the recipe.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, scoop and roll the dough as instructed.
Q: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free, as some spices and sugars may contain gluten.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Roll the dough into balls, coat them in the chai sugar, and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen solid, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, bake from frozen, adding an extra 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
Q: What should I do if the cookies spread too much while baking?
A: If the cookies spread too much, try chilling the dough for a longer period before baking. This helps the dough hold its shape during baking. You can also make sure to scoop the dough into balls that are slightly smaller to reduce spreading.
Conclusion: Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies
Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of warmth, sweetness, and spice, making them an ideal treat for the colder months or the holiday season. With their chewy centers, crisp edges, and aromatic chai spices, these cookies are a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of a chai latte in a portable form. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply for a cozy snack, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking rotation.
Try them today, and indulge in the comforting warmth of freshly baked cookies with a touch of chai magic!
Print
Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies: A Cozy, Aromatic Autumn Delight
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chai Spiced Soft Sugar Cookies are a delightful variation of the classic sugar cookie, infused with warm chai-inspired spices. These cookies are buttery, soft, and chewy on the inside, while the outside is slightly crisp and dusted with a chai-flavored sugar coating. The rich flavors of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves create a comforting blend that evokes the feeling of sipping on a cozy chai latte during chilly weather.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
2¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
¾ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground allspice
1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk or cream
For Rolling (Chai Sugar Coating):
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cardamom
⅛ tsp ginger
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices.
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Add egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and milk, and beat until smooth.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined — do not overmix.
Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes (this keeps them thick and soft).
3. Roll & Coat
Mix together the chai sugar coating in a small bowl.
Scoop dough into 1½ tablespoon balls, then roll each in the spiced sugar.
Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake
Bake 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
5. Serve & Store
Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
Sprinkle the warm cookies with a little cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness, or drizzle with a simple chai-spiced glaze for a cozy, aromatic twist that enhances their flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Chai Sugar Cookies, Spiced Sugar Cookies, Soft Chai Cookies, Chai Cookie Recipe, Cinnamon Chai Cookies
