Description
Delightful chai-spiced shortbread cookies that blend aromatic spices like cardamom, ginger, and black tea with buttery richness. These tender, flavorful cookies are perfect for tea time or holiday gifting, with an optional white chocolate dip and cinnamon sugar sprinkle for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Dough
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground black tea leaves
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Optional Garnish
- White chocolate for dipping
- Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Spices: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground black tea leaves, pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, allspice, cardamom, and kosher salt. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
- Add Flour: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the all-purpose flour. Mix only until the dough just comes together, avoiding overmixing for tender shortbread.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out evenly to about 1/3-inch thickness. Use a small 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut the dough into shapes.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the cut cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Since the cookies do not spread during baking, they can be placed relatively close together.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up without breaking.
- Optional Garnish: For an elegant finish, dip the cooled cookies into melted white chocolate or drizzle white chocolate on top. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar or other decorative sprinkles.
Notes
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 30 days. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
