Cozy Chai Shortbread Cookies for January (Easy Tea-Time Bake)
Easy Vanilla Chai Shortbread Cookies are a buttery, tender treat infused with aromatic chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. These simple-to-make cookies offer a warm and comforting flavor perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying alongside your favorite tea or coffee.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Traditional
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp chai spice blend (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and light in color, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and chai spice blend—this combination infuses the dough with warm, aromatic flavors that define these cookies.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden, signaling the perfect shortbread texture with a slight crunch on the exterior.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly without breaking.
Notes
- For best results, make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the ideal dough texture.
- The chai spice blend can be adjusted to your taste preference; fresh ground spices yield more vibrant flavor.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- To add a festive touch, sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking.