Spiced Chai Snickerdoodles

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly spiced: The chai-inspired blend of spices adds depth and warmth, creating a unique twist on the traditional snickerdoodle.

• Soft and chewy texture: These cookies are perfectly soft, chewy, and slightly puffy, making them a comforting treat for any occasion.

• Easy to make: The dough comes together quickly, and with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have delicious cookies in no time.

• Versatile: Great for the holiday season, cozy winter evenings, or any time you want to add a little extra spice to your baking.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp cream of tartar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp ground cardamom

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the coating:

• 3 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• ¼ tsp ground cardamom

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

6. Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to roll into balls.

7. Prepare the coating: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom for the coating.

8. Roll the dough: Once the dough has chilled, roll it into 1-inch balls. Roll each dough ball in the prepared cinnamon-sugar coating, ensuring it’s fully covered.

9. Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.

10. Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 24 cookies

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Chill Time: 30 minutes

• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

• Chai Tea Powder: For an extra boost of chai flavor, you can add a teaspoon of loose chai tea powder or chai concentrate to the dough.

• Brown Sugar: Swap out some or all of the granulated sugar for brown sugar to give the cookies a richer, caramel-like flavor.

• White Chocolate Chips: Add white chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet, creamy contrast to the spiced flavor.

• Nutty Addition: Chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can be added to the dough for added texture and flavor.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They will stay soft and chewy.

• Freezing: You can freeze the dough balls before baking. Simply roll the dough into balls, coat with cinnamon-sugar, and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

• Reheating: Warm the cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften them up again, or enjoy them at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the cookies. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.

Can I use a different type of flour?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend if you’re looking for a gluten-free version of this recipe. Make sure to check the blend’s instructions for best results.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. If you freeze the dough, allow it to thaw in the fridge before rolling into balls and baking.

Can I make these cookies without cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their signature tang and helps the cookies rise, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of lemon juice or vinegar. The flavor will differ slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious.

How can I make these cookies spicier?

If you want a stronger chai flavor, increase the amounts of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Start by adding ½ tsp more of each spice and adjust to your preference.

Can I add frosting to these cookies?

You can certainly frost these cookies if you want to add another layer of sweetness. A simple cream cheese frosting or even a drizzle of caramel would complement the chai flavor beautifully.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to help prevent the cookies from spreading too thin. You can also slightly under-bake them to maintain a thicker, chewy texture.

Can I make these cookies without cardamom?

If you don’t have cardamom, you can substitute it with a bit more cinnamon or ginger, although the flavor will not be the same. Cardamom adds a distinctive, aromatic quality to these cookies.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can easily double this recipe if you’re baking for a crowd or want extra cookies for later.

Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Just place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

Conclusion

These Spiced Chai Snickerdoodles are the perfect combination of comforting, spiced warmth and the familiar, chewy texture of snickerdoodles. The chai-inspired blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves makes these cookies stand out as a cozy treat, perfect for chilly days and festive occasions. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday gathering or simply indulging in a sweet afternoon snack, these cookies are sure to become a favorite.