Description
These Taylor Swift Chai Cookies are a delightful blend of warm chai spices and sweet buttery dough, perfectly baked to golden edges and topped with a cinnamon sugar glaze. Inspired by the comforting flavors of chai tea, these cookies offer a unique twist on classic buttery cookies with a fragrant spice profile, making them a cozy treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 chai tea bag (contents only)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the dough is smooth and homogenous.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, chai tea leaves (extracted from the tea bag), baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, and cardamom to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently and just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which could lead to tough cookies.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm to help them bake evenly.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the cookie edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and apply glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and milk or cream until smooth and drizzle this glaze over the cooled cookies to add a sweet and spiced finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- For a stronger chai flavor, use two tea bags or add a pinch more of the chai spices to the dry ingredients.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Use whole milk or heavy cream for a richer glaze, or adjust the milk quantity for desired glaze consistency.
- Experiment with adding chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for variations.
