Name: Chai Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ teaspoons cinnamon; 1 ¾ teaspoon ginger; 1 teaspoon cardamom; ½ teaspoon cloves; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ½ teaspoon allspice; 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, melted then cooled to just slightly warm; 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar; ⅔ cup (133 grams) white sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups (360 grams) all purpose flour; 4 teaspoons chai spice (prepared above); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar; 1 tablespoon chai spice (prepared above); ½ cup (60 grams) confectioners’ sugar; 1-2 tablespoons milk (to desired thinness); ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 68 reviews

If you’re craving a cozy, spiced treat that brings all the warmth of your favorite autumn beverage to your kitchen, this Chai Cookies Recipe is going to be your new best friend. These soft, chewy cookies are bursting with a blend of chai spices, rolled in chai sugar, and topped with a delicate chai glaze that melts right on your tongue. Every bite tastes like a hug in cookie form — perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a little comforting sweetness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A spread of baking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface includes a large white speckled bowl filled with a mix of brown sugar and white sugar with a silver spoon resting inside, two brown eggs placed nearby, and small glass bowls containing dark vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. There is also a white bowl filled with white flour, another small white speckled bowl holding milk, a glass bowl with pale yellow softened butter, and a small white bowl with a mix of spices in shades of brown and tan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Chai Cookies Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, whether it’s the smooth richness of melted butter, the fragrant warmth of the chai spices, or the sweet balance of sugar varieties that create that ideal chewy texture and cozy flavor.

Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, allspice: This homemade chai spice blend is the heart and soul of the cookies, giving them that signature warming kick.
Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled, it ensures the cookies stay soft and tender.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel-like depth to the dough.
White sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with the perfect cookie structure.
Eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the cookies’ tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the spiced flavors and adds a sweet floral note.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie, providing structure and softness.
Baking soda and baking powder: Give the cookies slight lift and a perfect chewy texture.
Salt: Just a pinch to bring out all the flavors.
White sugar mixed with chai spice: This chai sugar coating adds an irresistible crunch and extra burst of spice on the outside.
Confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze: Create a lightly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chai drizzle that ties it all together beautifully.

How to Make Chai Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chai Spice Blend

Start by whisking together cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice in a small bowl until they are perfectly combined. This spice blend is what transforms ordinary cookies into something extraordinary, layering rich warmth throughout the dough and beyond.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Then, whisk the melted unsalted butter with the brown and white sugars until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla, creating a luscious base that will make your cookies tender and full of flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with 4 teaspoons of your chai spice blend, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This dry mix holds all the flavors that make these cookies so irresistible and helps achieve that perfect soft but slightly chewy texture.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

Fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined. Be gentle here—not over mixing will keep the cookies light and soft. The dough will be fragrant and ready for its next spice upgrade.

Step 5: Prepare the Chai Sugar and Shape the Cookies

Mix ¼ cup white sugar with the remaining tablespoon of chai spice to make the chai sugar coating. Using a medium cookie scoop, form balls of dough and roll each one generously in this spiced sugar, ensuring a crunchy, aromatic crust once baked.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the cookie dough balls on your prepared sheets with some space for spreading—about 5 to 6 per sheet—and bake for 13 to 14 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a light golden brown, signaling they’re perfectly done while still soft in the center.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a rack to cool completely. Once cooled, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla to a smooth glaze and drizzle it lovingly over the cookies. This final touch elevates the chai flavors and adds a sweet finish with every bite.

How to Serve Chai Cookies Recipe

The image shows several round brown cookies with a cracked surface and white icing drizzled on top. One cookie in the foreground has a bite taken out of it, displaying a slightly soft texture inside. The cookies rest on crinkled light brown parchment paper scattered with small cookie crumbs. There are two dark brown star anise spices placed nearby for decoration. A small white bowl partly visible at the edge contains milk. The whole scene is set on a white marbled texture surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A light sprinkle of extra chai sugar on the glaze or a dusting of cinnamon will add a pleasant pop of spice and visual appeal. For an extra special touch, try a few crushed pistachios or slivered almonds for a subtle crunch and beautiful contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair famously well with a steaming cup of chai tea latte to double down on the warming spices. They also complement a glass of cold milk or a dollop of vanilla whipped cream for an indulgent snack or dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your chai cookies on a rustic wooden board with a small bowl of chai glaze for dipping, or stack them in a pretty jar tied with twine as a heartfelt homemade gift for friends and family. You can also sandwich a bit of spiced cream cheese or mascarpone between two cookies for an irresistible twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover chai cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to keep their soft, chewy texture intact. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days—if you can resist that long!

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked dough balls or baked cookies. For dough, freeze them on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight. Baked cookies freeze well too; just thaw at room temperature and enjoy.

Reheating

Warm your chai cookies slightly in a low oven or microwave for just a few seconds to freshen them up. The gentle heat brings back that just-baked softness and enhances the chai glaze’s delicious melt-in-your-mouth quality.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought chai spice instead of making my own?

Absolutely! Using a high-quality store-bought chai spice blend will work well if you’re short on time, but homemade gives you the chance to customize the warmth and complexity exactly how you like it.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This Chai Cookies Recipe is designed with all-purpose flour so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, keeping in mind that texture might vary slightly.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

To make these cookies vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use flax eggs or another egg replacement. The chai spice and glaze will still provide that wonderful spiced flavor you love.

How spicy are the cookies? Are they too strong for kids?

The chai spices are warm and fragrant rather than hot or overpowering, making these cookies kid-friendly and perfect for anyone who enjoys subtle spice notes in their sweets.

Can I skip the glaze?

Definitely! The cookies are delicious on their own thanks to the chai sugar coating. The glaze adds a nice touch of sweetness and visual appeal, but it’s entirely optional based on your preference.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a soft, chewy cookie packed with comforting chai warmth and a hint of sweetness that lingers delightfully. This Chai Cookies Recipe has earned a special spot in my heart and kitchen — and I can’t wait for you to experience that same cozy happiness. Whip up a batch, share with those you love, and savor the little moments made perfect by these charming spiced treats.