Easy Vanilla Chai Shortbread Cookies Recipe
These Easy Vanilla Chai Shortbread Cookies combine the rich, buttery texture of classic shortbread with a warm chai spice blend featuring cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a festive snack, these cookies are simple to prepare and delightfully fragrant.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp chai spice blend (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)
Wet Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps to create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add flavorings: Mix in the vanilla extract and chai spice blend until the ingredients are fully incorporated, distributing the warm spices evenly throughout the dough.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and maintaining a tender crumb.
- Form cookie dough balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, signaling that the cookies are perfectly baked with a crisp exterior and soft interior.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them firm up and maintain their shape.
Notes
- You can adjust the chai spice blend to your taste, adding more or less cinnamon or ginger as preferred.
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best creaming results.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
Keywords: vanilla chai cookies, shortbread cookies, chai spice cookies, easy holiday cookies, spiced cookies
