Description

Soft, chewy chai-spiced cookies coated in fragrant spiced sugar, enriched with nutty brown butter for a deep, rich flavor. These cookies combine cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves for a warm, cozy treat that’s perfect for fall and holiday baking.

Ingredients

Scale

Spiced Sugar:

6 tbsp granulated sugar (75 g)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
Pinch of ground cloves

Chai Cookies:

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter (280 g)
2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (250 g)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar (275 g)
4 large egg yolks, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Make the Spiced Sugar: In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Set aside.
Brown the Butter: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir occasionally until foamy and nutty-smelling, 5–8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and chill until solid but soft.
Prep the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat brown butter for 1 minute. Add brown sugar and mix for 2 minutes until creamy.
Add Yolks & Vanilla: Beat in egg yolks and vanilla until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl.
Form Dough: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
Shape Cookies: Scoop 2-tbsp portions (about 22 cookies), roll into balls, and coat in spiced sugar.
Bake: Place 8 cookies per tray, bake 11–12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the butter—it gives these cookies their signature flavor.

Slight underbaking keeps the centers soft and chewy.

Spiced sugar adds both texture and an aromatic finish.

Dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours to deepen flavor before baking.

Freeze dough balls before rolling in sugar for easy bake-ahead cookies.

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus butter cooling)
Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American