Masala Chai Shortbread Sugar Cookies
No-spread chai tea cookies that can be used for cut-out decorated cookies, or slice-and-bake cookies.
Servings: 15 cookies
Calories: 226kcal
Equipment
- measuring spoons and cups
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- spatula
- cling wrap
- cookie cutters
- large knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 2 bags masala chai tea about 1 tablespoon or 1 tablespoon chai mix (recipe below)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Masala Chai Mix
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon black tea
- ⅛ ground star anise or fennel optional
Instructions
- Empty contents of two bags of chai tea and set aside. If spices aren’t ground, grind with mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Or make your own chai mix.
- Whisk flour and cornstarch together and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars with paddle attachment, on medium-low speed, until fluffy and pale in color (about 5 minutes).
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and chai spice, and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Scrape down the paddle with a spatula, and then continue to mix on low speed for another 30 seconds to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients, all at once, and mix on low speed just until dough starts to come together and no dry bits remain. Do not overmix.
- Turn dough out onto cling wrap, tightly wrap, and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
- Knead, roll, cut out cookies, and return to fridge or freezer until firm. Leave a couple inches between cookies.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, rotate pan, and bake for another 1-5 minutes until edges are starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet before handling.
Notes
- The reason for adding 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to your dough is to prevent your cookies from shrinking or spreading during baking.
- If making slice-and-bake cookies, split dough in half, roll into logs, wrap tightly in cling wrap or parchment paper, and refrigerate before slicing and baking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 396IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg