DESSERTS

Delicious Chai Cookies: 22 Chewy Spiced Treats to Love

by basmer

5 de December de 2025

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Chai Cookies are chewy, spiced cookies that bring the warmth of traditional chai right into your kitchen. Made with brown butter, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and a hint of ginger, these delightful treats are perfect for cozy evenings and festive gatherings. The way they melt in your mouth, combined with their fragrant aroma, makes them irresistible. If you’re looking for a treat that embodies the spirit of the season, these cookies are just the ticket!

Why You’ll Love This Chai Cookies

These Chai Cookies will become your new favorite dessert, and here’s why:

They are packed with warm spices that evoke the comforting flavors of chai tea.
The chewy texture combined with crisp edges creates a delightful bite.
Quick to prepare, making them perfect for a last-minute treat.
They make a wonderful gift during the holidays or for any occasion.
These cookies are versatile; you can add nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
They are a great way to impress guests with minimal effort.

Plus, they fit well into various dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or even gluten-free with simple adjustments. Enjoy them as a cozy dessert or a delightful snack!

Ingredients for Chai Cookies

Gather these items:

1 1/4 cups (280 g) unsalted butter
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups (275 g) light brown sugar
4 egg yolks (room temperature)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tbsp molasses
6 tbsp (75 g) granulated white sugar (for spiced sugar)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for spiced sugar)
1/4 tsp ground ginger (for spiced sugar)
1/8 tsp ground allspice (for spiced sugar)
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (for spiced sugar)
1/4 tsp ground cardamom (for spiced sugar)
Pinch of ground cloves (for spiced sugar)

How to Make Chai Cookies Step-by-Step

Step 1: Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma (5-8 minutes). Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whip the cooled brown butter with an electric mixer on high speed for about 1 minute until fluffy. Add in the brown sugar and beat until combined and light in color (2 minutes).
Step 4: Add the egg yolks and vanilla: Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute until pale and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until well combined.
Step 6: Form the dough: Scoop out 22 portions of dough using a 2-tbsp cookie scoop, roll them into balls, and coat them in the spiced sugar mixture.
Step 7: Bake: Transfer the dough balls to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center remains soft.
Step 8: Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Chai Cookies

Keep these in mind:

These cookies are perfect for the fall and holiday seasons.
Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of yolks.
Try adding chocolate chips for a sweet twist on the traditional flavors.

Best Ways to Serve Chai Cookies

These delightful cookies can be paired with:

Hot chai tea to enhance the flavor experience.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
As a sweet addition to a holiday cookie platter.

How to Store and Reheat Chai Cookies

To keep these cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. They can last for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them warm, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. These are also great for meal prep, allowing you to have a sweet treat ready at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chai Cookies

What’s the secret to perfect Chai Cookies?

The secret lies in browning the butter, which adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cookies. Also, make sure not to overbake them; a soft center is key for that chewy texture!

Can I make Chai Cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to three days. Just roll into balls and bake when you are ready to enjoy them.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Chai Cookies?

Ensure that your butter is fully cooled before mixing it with the sugar to achieve the desired fluffiness. Also, don’t skip the spiced sugar coating for added flavor and texture.

Variations of Chai Cookies You Can Try

Get creative with these variations:

Gluten-Free Chai Cookies: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
Chai Cookies with Icing: Drizzle a simple vanilla glaze for added sweetness.
Chai Latte Cookies: Incorporate brewed chai tea into the dough for an extra flavor kick.
Chai Spiced Cookies: Use different spices based on your taste preferences, such as nutmeg or star anise.

Delicious Chai Cookies: 22 Chewy Spiced Treats to Love - Chai Cookies - additional detail

For more delicious recipes, check out our latest recipes or try making Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze for a festive treat. If you’re looking for something savory, our Korean BBQ Meatballs are a hit!

For more information on the health benefits of spices like cinnamon and cardamom, you can visit Healthline.

Delicious Chai Cookies: 22 Chewy Spiced Treats to Love

Author: basmer
Total Time: 41 minutes
Yield: 22 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Chai cookies are chewy, spiced cookies made with brown butter, cinnamon, cardamom, and other warming spices.

Instructions

Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma (5-8 minutes). Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whip the cooled brown butter with an electric mixer on high speed for about 1 minute until fluffy. Add in the brown sugar and beat until combined and light in color (2 minutes).
Add the egg yolks and vanilla: Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute until pale and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until well combined.
Form the dough: Scoop out 22 portions of dough using a 2-tbsp cookie scoop, roll them into balls, and coat them in the spiced sugar mixture.
Bake: Transfer the dough balls to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center remains soft.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.