Irresistible Chai Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Perfect Fall Treat

Welcome to your new favorite autumn baking project: Chai Sugar Cookies! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a symphony of warm, aromatic spices baked into a delightfully soft, chewy sugar cookie base, then crowned with a luscious, chai-infused cream cheese frosting. Each bite transports you to a cozy fall evening, making them an ideal treat for cool weather, holiday gatherings, or simply a comforting moment with a hot cup of tea. What truly sets this recipe apart is the carefully crafted homemade chai flavoring blend, ensuring an authentic and vibrant spice profile that store-bought mixes simply can’t match. Get ready to fill your home with the inviting aroma of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and more – these cookies are truly a seasonal masterpiece.

As the air gets crisper and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked chai sugar cookies to make your home feel inviting. These delightful cookies are generously infused with warm, complex chai spices and boast a wonderfully soft, chewy texture that’s simply irresistible. They are truly the quintessential fall dessert, perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying quietly with your favorite hot beverage. Each bite of these chai frosted cookies perfectly encapsulates the essence of autumn and the cozy spirit of the approaching holiday season. Prepare to fall in love with these easy-to-make, incredibly flavorful chai spiced treats!

More Cozy & Delicious Fall Recipes to Explore

If you’re loving the warm, comforting flavors of these chai sugar cookies, you’ll definitely want to check out these other delightful recipes perfect for the season:

• Very Flavorful Chai Caramel Cake
• Caramel Spice Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting
• Caramel Gooey Butter Cake With Caramel Sauce

Why You’ll Love These Chai Sugar Cookies

These chai sugar cookies aren’t just a seasonal delight; they’re a truly special treat that will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore them:

• Rich, Warm Chai Spices: Forget bland cookies! Our carefully curated homemade chai spice blend, featuring the perfect proportions of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, and even a hint of freshly cracked black pepper, provides an incredibly rich, complex, and comforting flavor. It’s truly ideal for the fall and winter seasons, awakening your senses with every bite.
• Irresistibly Soft and Chewy Texture: Unlike many sugar cookies that can be dry or crumbly, these chai cookies boast a melt-in-your-mouth softness with a delightful chew. This perfect texture is achieved through a thoughtful combination of brown sugar (for moisture and chew), powdered sugar (for tenderness), and unsalted butter.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: Despite their sophisticated flavor, these cookies are surprisingly easy to whip up using common pantry staples. You’ll find most ingredients, like all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, readily available, making this a fuss-free baking experience.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: These chai sugar cookies are fantastic on their own, but they’re also incredibly versatile. While the chai spiced cream cheese frosting is a dream, you can customize them further for different occasions. Consider a drizzle of eggnog glaze for an extra festive holiday touch, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a lighter option. They make wonderful gifts, party desserts, or an everyday treat.
• Homemade with Love: There’s nothing quite like the pride of serving homemade cookies, especially when they’re packed with such unique and delicious flavors. The process is enjoyable, and the results are incredibly rewarding.

Crafting Your Homemade Chai Spice Blend

The heart and soul of these chai sugar cookies lies in the exquisite homemade chai spice blend. While pre-made chai packets exist, crafting your own ensures a depth of flavor and freshness that elevates these cookies from good to absolutely phenomenal. The balance of spices is key to achieving that signature warm, aromatic, and slightly peppery chai profile. Here’s a closer look at the spices involved and why they make all the difference:

• Ground Cinnamon: The star of many warm spice blends, cinnamon provides a sweet, woody, and comforting base. It’s essential for that classic fall flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Offering a pungent, spicy, and slightly sweet kick, ginger adds warmth and a delightful zing that brightens the entire blend.
• Cardamom: Often considered the “queen of spices,” cardamom brings a unique floral, citrusy, and slightly camphorous note that is indispensable to authentic chai flavor. Don’t skip this one!
• Allspice: As its name suggests, allspice delivers a complex flavor reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg all in one, adding another layer of warmth.
• Nutmeg: Sweet, nutty, and subtly earthy, nutmeg contributes to the cozy depth of the spice mix.
• Ground Cloves: Intensely aromatic, cloves provide a strong, sweet, and slightly bitter warmth, a classic component of many holiday spice blends.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: This might surprise some, but a touch of black pepper is crucial for an authentic chai flavor. It adds a subtle, gentle heat that perfectly balances the other sweet and warm spices, creating a more robust and intriguing profile.

Combining these spices yourself allows you to control the quality and ensures you’re using fresh, potent spices, which translates directly into superior flavor in your finished cookies. Plus, having this blend on hand means you’re always ready for your next chai-inspired baking adventure!

Key Ingredients Breakdown – Chai Sugar Cookies

These chai sugar cookies consistently receive rave reviews, and much of that is thanks to the thoughtful selection of ingredients. To help you with your grocery list and understand the role each component plays, here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients used in this recipe. Remember, a full list of precise measurements can be found in the recipe card further down!

For the Cookies

The cookie base itself is designed for maximum softness and chewiness, providing the perfect canvas for our chai spice blend.

• Unsalted butter, room temperature: Essential for creaming with sugars, butter provides richness and helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Room temperature is crucial for proper emulsion.
• Granulated sugar & Powdered sugar: A combination of sugars ensures both sweetness and an incredibly soft crumb. Granulated sugar provides structure, while powdered sugar contributes to tenderness.
• Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and contributes to the chewy texture of the cookies, helping them stay soft for longer.
• Eggs, room temperature: Bind the ingredients, add moisture, and contribute to the cookie’s structure and richness. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients.
• Sour cream: A secret ingredient for ultimate softness and moisture! Sour cream adds a slight tang and keeps the cookies incredibly tender without making them cakey.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors, adding a classic warmth and depth.
• All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our cookies.
• Chai spice mix (homemade, as detailed above): The star flavor! Infuses the cookies with their distinctive warm, aromatic profile.
• Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Baking soda & Cream of tartar: These leavening agents work together to give the cookies a slight lift and contribute to their soft, chewy texture. Cream of tartar also helps to keep the cookies tender and prevents them from spreading too much.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting is light, fluffy, tangy, and spiced perfectly to complement the chai cookies.

• Unsalted butter, room temperature: Provides richness and a creamy base for the frosting.
• Cream cheese, room temperature: The defining ingredient for tanginess and a smooth, rich texture. Ensure it’s full-fat and at room temperature for the best results.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it structure and a smooth consistency. Sifting can help prevent lumps.
• Heavy whipping cream: Thins the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency while adding to its creamy, luxurious texture.
• Pure vanilla extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements both the cream cheese and the chai spices.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and tangy notes in the frosting.
• Chai spices (same homemade blend as above): Infuses the frosting with the same delightful chai flavor, creating a harmonious taste experience from cookie to topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Chai Sugar Cookies

Ready to bake these incredible Chai Sugar Cookies? Follow these easy steps to create delicious, perfectly spiced treats. For a complete list of detailed instructions and precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

1. Prepare the Chai Spice Mix: Begin by combining all your ground spices – cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, and freshly cracked black pepper – in a small bowl. Whisk them together until well blended and set this aromatic mix aside. This homemade blend is crucial for a robust chai flavor!
2. Mix the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vegetable oil until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes on medium speed. Next, incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. Finally, stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add your dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, your prepared chai spice mix, baking soda, cream of tartar, and fine sea salt – into the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Scrape down the sides of your bowl as needed to ensure an even dough.
4. Shape and Bake the Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each portion into a smooth ball. For an extra touch of sweetness and texture, roll each dough ball in a shallow dish of granulated sugar. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each dough ball to about ½-inch thickness. Bake in a preheated oven until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked. This ensures a wonderfully chewy cookie.
5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare your rich, chai-spiced cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and the same chai spice blend used for the cookies. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Finish by drizzling in the heavy whipping cream and beating on medium-high speed until the frosting is light, smooth, and perfectly spreadable.
6. Frost and Serve: Once your cookies are completely cooled to room temperature (this is key to prevent the frosting from melting!), generously frost each cookie with the chai spiced cream cheese frosting using a small offset spatula. For an optional decorative touch and an extra burst of flavor, you can lightly sprinkle additional chai spice mix over the frosted cookies. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful flavors!

FAQs About Chai Sugar Cookies

Got questions about making these delicious chai sugar cookies? We’ve got answers to help you achieve perfect results every time!

• Can I use a chai tea packet instead of the homemade spice blend?
  While a chai tea packet can provide a milder chai flavor in a pinch, our homemade spice blend is highly recommended. It offers a much more robust, authentic, and rich chai flavor that truly elevates these cookies. The intensity and freshness of individual ground spices make a significant difference.
• How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
  The key to soft, chewy chai sugar cookies is to avoid overbaking. Your cookies are ready to come out of the oven when the outer edges appear set and firm, but the centers still look slightly soft, puffed, and are not golden brown. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
• Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time and bake the cookies later?
  Absolutely! Preparing the cookie dough in advance is a great time-saver. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap (either as a whole batch or portioned into balls) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before shaping and baking as instructed. This ensures the best texture.
• What if I don’t have all the individual chai spices on hand?
  While the homemade blend yields the best results, if you’re missing a few individual chai spices, you can certainly use a good quality pre-made chai spice blend from the grocery store. Just ensure it’s a spice blend for baking, not just a tea mix. You can also carefully use the contents of a chai tea packet, but remember that the flavor may be slightly different and potentially less intense than the custom blend. Adjust to your taste preferences!
• Can I freeze the cookie dough or baked cookies?
  Yes, both the dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully!
  • To freeze dough: Scoop the dough into balls, roll them in sugar, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls directly on a cookie sheet and add an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
  • To freeze baked cookies: If cookies are unfrosted, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container. If frosted, freeze them solid on a tray first, then wrap individually and store. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• How can I make the cookies even thicker and chewier?
  For an extra thick and chewy cookie, try chilling your prepared cookie dough balls for at least 30 minutes (or even up to an hour) in the refrigerator before baking. This helps solidify the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a thicker, chewier final product. You can also lightly press them down less before baking.
• Why is using room temperature ingredients so important?
  Using room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese (for the frosting) is absolutely crucial. Room temperature ingredients emulsify much better, creating a smooth, cohesive dough and a creamy, lump-free frosting. Cold ingredients will result in a lumpy texture and a less uniform end product.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Chai Sugar Cookies

Unlock the secrets to baking truly exceptional chai sugar cookies with these invaluable tips and tricks:

• Always Use Room Temperature Ingredients: I cannot emphasize this enough! Ensure your butter, eggs, sour cream, and cream cheese (for the frosting) are all at room temperature before you begin. This allows for proper emulsification, resulting in a smooth, evenly mixed cookie dough and a silky, lump-free frosting. Plan ahead by taking them out of the fridge at least 30-60 minutes before you start baking.
• Avoid Overbaking for Softness: For that coveted soft and chewy texture, it’s crucial to keep a very close eye on your cookies while they bake. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just barely set and the centers still look slightly soft and maybe even a little underdone. They will continue to cook and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• For an Extra Festive Touch: Elevate these chai sugar cookies for the holiday season by adding a drizzle of eggnog glaze over the cream cheese frosting. It pairs beautifully with the chai spices and adds an extra layer of festive flavor.
• Flatten with a Light Touch: When you press the dough balls down with the bottom of a glass, go easy! Press just enough to create a nice, flat surface, aiming for about a ½-inch thickness. Over-flattening can lead to thinner, crispier cookies. Thicker dough balls mean a chewier cookie – which is often preferred for these soft sugar cookies!
• Frost Just Before Serving: If you’re making these cookies ahead of time, it’s best to store the unfrosted cookies and the frosting separately. Once frosted, the cookies can soften more quickly, especially if the frosting has high moisture content. Frost them right before you plan to serve them for the best texture and freshness.
• Chill the Dough for Less Spread: If you find your cookies are spreading too much, or if you simply want a thicker cookie, pop the formed dough balls into the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter solidify, resulting in less spread and a slightly chewier cookie.
• Measure Flour Correctly: The amount of flour can drastically affect the cookie’s texture. Use the spoon-and-level method: spoon flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Do not scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and can add too much.

Recommended Tools for Effortless Baking

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. Here are some essential items that will help you create these chai sugar cookies with ease and precision:

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment: This is a game-changer for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough and frosting efficiently and thoroughly.
• Medium cookie scoop: Ensures uniform cookie size, which leads to even baking. A 3-tablespoon scoop works perfectly for this recipe.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Wire rack: Essential for cooling cookies completely, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
• Large mixing bowl: For combining dry ingredients or if you’re mixing the dough by hand.
• Rubber spatula: Indispensable for scraping down the sides of the bowl, ensuring all ingredients are incorporated.
• Offset spatula: Perfect for smoothly spreading the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cookies.

Storing and Freezing Instructions for Freshness

To enjoy your delicious chai sugar cookies for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Store your frosted chai sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer to extend their freshness or live in a warmer climate, you can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor of the frosting. Leftover cream cheese frosting, if stored separately, can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze both the baked, unfrosted cookies and the cookie dough. Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving. For dough, see the FAQ section on freezing cookie dough.

More Delicious Fall-Inspired Desserts

Can’t get enough of fall flavors? Here are a few more delightful recipes to add to your seasonal baking list:

• The Best Spiced Mini Pumpkin Cake Recipe
• The Most Splendid Caramel Pumpkin Sheet Cake
• The Best You’ll Ever Eat Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake

We hope you enjoy baking and sharing these delightful Chai Sugar Cookies as much as we do! The warmth of the spices and the creamy frosting make them truly unforgettable. Remember to LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW AND A COMMENT if you love the recipe or have any questions. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for more fun baking inspiration, tips, and delicious treats!

Recipe

Chai Sugar Cookies

Molly Murphy

Spiced soft cookies with a chai spiced cream cheese frosting. Made with a homemade chai flavoring blend!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe
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Course Dessert

Cuisine Cookie

Servings 18

Ingredients

 

 

Chai Spice Mix

• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cardamom
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• Chai spice mix recipe above
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

Cream Cheese Frosting

• ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar optional: sifted
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

 

Chai Spice Mix:

• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, and freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.
  1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons cardamom, 2 teaspoons allspice, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 2 teaspoons ground cloves, ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vegetable oil on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
  1 cup unsalted butter, 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup powdered sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil
• Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add one egg and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds, then add the second egg and mix again for 30 seconds.
  2 large eggs
• Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing on low-medium speed for an additional 30 seconds.
  ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gradually add the flour, chai spice mix, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sea salt. Mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, Chai spice mix, ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• In a shallow dish, place about ⅓ cup granulated sugar. Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), portion the dough and roll it into balls. Roll each ball in the sugar and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. (You can bake about 9 cookies per pan.)
• Using the bottom of a glass cup (about 2 inches in diameter), lightly press the dough balls to about ½-inch thickness.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies no longer look wet. Avoid letting the edges or bottoms turn golden, as this will make the cookies dry. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the pan for about 5 minutes until they are firm enough to move to a cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until creamy and well combined, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  ¾ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese
• Add the vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and chai spices (cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, and freshly cracked black pepper) to the mixture. Mix on medium speed until well combined.
  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, Pinch of salt, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cardamom, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while mixing on low speed.
  4 cups powdered sugar
• Drizzle in the heavy whipping cream as you continue to mix. This will help achieve a creamy and spreadable consistency.
  ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat the frosting for 2-3 minutes until it is smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
• Once the cookies are completely cooled, and no longer warm, frost them with a small offset spatula and evenly spread to the edge of the cookie.

Keyword Chai, frosted cookie, fall

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