I heard about a recipe for Chai Cookies. The title alone piqued my interest. One of the ingredients included “Chai Spice”. Where does one find Chai Spice? I guess I don’t get out much because I was thinking maybe they were using the contents from chai tea bags. Just happen to time up that I visited the McCormick site to try to find out how old some of my spices are (Yikes! That’s a whole other story that I’m sure a lot of folks that use their kitchen to cook in can understand). It must have been my lucky day because I stumbled upon a McCormick spice from their Gourmet Collection called Chai Spice Blend! I couldn’t rest until I found it for myself at the market. Who knew? If you’ve never been to their Web site, they have a great tool for finding out the freshness of your spice and some delicious looking recipes.
This recipe for Chai Spice Sugar Cookies comes from their site. When it’s baking, it smells absolutely wonderful. Out of the oven, they just look like regular ol’ sugar or butter cookies. Your first bite is enough evidence that this is no regular ol’ sugar cookie. It’s a perfect biscuit with your Organic Chai Tea Latte, teas, coffee, hot chocolate or any other comfort beverage you can imagine. The hints of cinnamon, cloves and cardamom make it a sophisticated but easy cookie to enjoy.
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- Plan these cookies in advance, as the dough should be refrigerated at least 2 hours for more easier handling.
- Tastes great with or without rolling the balls of dough in sugar before baking.
- Update: Since this original post, McCormick discontinued their Chai Spice Blend. Prepare your own by mixing 2 teaspoons each Ground Cardamom, Saigon Cinnamon and Ground Cloves with 1 teaspoon Ground White Pepper until well blended. Decrease spice blend to 2 teaspoons in cookie recipe.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon McCormick Gourmet Collection Chai Spice Blend
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional sugar for rolling (optional)
Mix flour, Chai Spice Blend, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large bowl of your electric mixer and set on medium speed, beating until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and add vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture on low speed until mixed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. You want the dough to be firm and easy to handle.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional sugar to coat. Place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart (they spread considerably).
Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute and remove to wire racks. Cool completely before storing.
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Gourmet Getaways says
LOL! I am just trawling through your older recipes… I really feel like something sweet at the moment 🙂 These look gorgeous
Cristina says
Oh! I’m glad you happened upon these chai-spiced cookies. They’re so good…I must whip up a batch! 🙂
everydaygrace says
looks perfect – wondering if these would roll and cookie cutter well as a sugar cookie does?
thanks much
BusyMOM @ Easy Appetizers says
Chai is one of my favorite flavors! I will definitely by making these cookies. Just found you on CookEatShare. Love your photos too!
Cristina - Teenie Cakes says
Thanks Sara – Chai is a favorite for me too. I’m planning a series of desserts and treats for the fall using chai. Chai spices are a warming kinda comfort food/taste. 🙂
Sarah says
My wonderful aunt made these for me last Saturday and it was the best taste explosion in my mouth ever!! I ate them everyday this week. I’m addicted.
Teenie Cakes says
Thank you, beautiful niece. I’m so glad you are enjoying them! I really like the Chai spice – me and my sister have been Chai Tea fans for years (yes…addicting!). Did you end up losing the second plate? 🙁
Kathy Diaz (foundbaking) says
Chai Spice Blend now available in the spice aisle??!!! Wow, this spice will come in handy not just on cakes and cookies but drinks too. They look like snickerdoodles. I bet they are yummy. Love the cookie scoop photo.
Teenie Cakes says
Hi Kathy: You’re absolutely right…they are compared to snickerdoodles. One bite into these Chai Spice laden cookies and there’s no denying it’s not a snickerdoodle (luv those too!). I really like the spice…possibilities!
bunkycooks says
Oh, wow! These sound really good. I never would have thought McCormick would have such a spice. That’s great to know.
Teenie Cakes says
I know! I think McCormick is coming out of their conservative state and certainly stepping up to the times. They have a lovely gourmet line with tempting flavors. This is just one of them!
Emily says
My husband and I are tea junkie and this would make a lovely recipe for us. By the way, nice photos 🙂
Teenie Cakes says
Hi Emily: Besides the delicate flavor in this cookie, it’s a great biscuit with your tea! =)
Teenie Cakes says
– @Katty’s Kitchen:
Wow…You whipped up your own chai spice blend!
I like your adaption of using the Chai Spice in a Snickerdoodle! It looks delicious and I bet it smelled wonderful when it was baking and fresh outta the oven. I’m gonna have to give it a try.
Thank you for the kind mention. =)
Katty's Kitchen says
Ms. Teenie Cakes–I hope you got some trackbacks to your page when I credited you with introducing me to chai spice cookies. I made my own chai spice and modified the snickerdoodle recipe my mom had clipped from the newspaper in the 70s. REALLY DELICIOUS! Using turbinado sugar in the spices for rolling made the cookie extra sparkly. 🙂
Roti n Rice says
You are most welcomed.
I noticed that the spice is from the gourmet collection and the stores that I went to, only carry the regular. I think I’ missing something, can’t find your e-mail address 😉
Teenie Cakes says
– @Dimah: Thank you…They’re very tasty and not too sweet!
– @Spice Sherpa: There’s just something special about chai, isn’t there? I am going to try to whip up a blend of chai because I’m worried that it may be a temp spice available right now. Thanks for the kind words! =)
– @Roti n Rice: Email me when you have a minute, we’ll discuss about helping you find the spice. Thank you for the Sunshine Award honor…I’ve posted more on your blog =)
– @citronetvanille: It’s a good pairing these cookies w/tea!
citronetvanille says
Those are good looking cookies, and what a great idea to use chai spices, just perfect with a cup of tea!
Roti n Rice says
Gotta go look for this spice blend. Like you, I didn’t know there is a chai spice blend. The cookies look fantastic and I am sure they taste wonderful.
BTW I really enjoy your blog and would like to share the Sunshine Award with you. Please check the post at my blog under the Awards tab http://rotinrice.blogspot.com/p/awards.html 🙂
Spice Sherpa says
The title grabbed my interest too! I must try these, as I love anything spiced with a basic chai spice blend. Although I always recommend making your own blend. It only takes a few moments, it’s fresher and you can tweek it to your preferences.
Your photos are lovely and mouth-watering!
Dimah says
These sound and look really good!
Teenie Cakes says
– @Daydreamer Desserts: You caught my image title! =) I do luv my cookie scoop…is that wrong? :\
– @Jeanne & @Samantha: If you can’t find the spice and you really wanna give ’em a try, you can try the alternative of making your own at home. They’d be a great flavoring in cupcakes too!
Samantha says
I love the taste of chai. These look so light. I’m going to look for that spice and give it a try.
Jeanne says
These sound so good! I’d love to have this aroma in my kitchen! I’ll have to keep an eye out for that chai spice blend.
Daydreamer Desserts says
Beautiful… just beautiful! BTW, I LUV my cookie scoop too aren’t they handy? 🙂