Chai Cookies
Servings 22 cookies
Ingredients
**For the Spiced Sugar:**
- 6 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch of ground cloves
**For the Chai Cookies:**
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
- 4 egg yolks at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- **Make the Spiced Sugar**: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated white sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Set aside.
- **Prepare the Brown Butter**: Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Simmer until the butter foams and gives off a nutty scent, turning golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until solid but still soft.
- **Preheat and Prep**: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- **Mix Dry Ingredients**: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- **Cream the Butter and Sugar**: In a large bowl, whip the cooled brown butter with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- **Add Wet Ingredients**: Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- **Combine Dry and Wet**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- **Form Cookies**: Scoop the dough into 22 portions using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop. Roll into balls and then roll each ball in the spiced sugar mixture.
- **Bake**: Place 8 cookies at a time on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes.
- **Cool and Serve**: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
- These chai cookies are perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea or sharing with friends and family during the holidays!