Chai-Spiced Shortbread Cookies

These cookies are based on a shortbread recipe, but spiced to taste like a chai tea latte. Don't try to make a substitution for the cardamom - it's essential to the chai taste. Masala chai varies widely by region, brand, and store, so you can play with the spices to get closer to your favorite chai.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 62 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Grind tea into a fine powder using a spice grinder. Mix in cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy. Add the spiced tea mixture and mix thoroughly. Fold in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms.

Step 4

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch pieces with a cookie cutter or knife. Arrange cookies on baking sheets.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until edges begin to brown slightly, about 20 minutes.