Description
These Chai Sugar Cookies are soft, flavorful treats infused with aromatic chai spices and a hint of lemon. Perfectly sweet and delicately spiced, they’re ideal for tea time or sharing with friends. The cookies are easy to make, rolled in sugar for a delightful, slightly crunchy exterior, and baked to a light golden finish.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (weighed in grams or spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chai spice (a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air and helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and lemon extracts to infuse the dough with fragrant flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and chai spice blend. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape and Roll Dough Balls: Form the cookie dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll each dough ball in additional granulated sugar to coat the outside, which will give a sweet crunch to the cookie edges.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls evenly spaced on the parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing room for spreading as they bake.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly tan and the cookies are set. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy inside.
- Cool Completely: Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and finish baking from residual heat.
Notes
- For best results, measure flour by weight or spoon and level to avoid dense cookies.
- Chai spice blend typically contains cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg; adjust according to preference.
- Room temperature ingredients help the dough combine evenly for consistent texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Extra sugar for rolling adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle to the finished cookies.
