Description
Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the warm, aromatic spices of chai tea with the rich sweetness of dark chocolate chunks in a perfectly soft and chewy cookie. These cookies are flavored with a unique blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, and a hint of black pepper, delivering an enticing twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie. They are perfect for cozy afternoons or special gatherings, offering a delicious balance of spice and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Mix:
- 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Mix:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 12 ounces dark chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground allspice, freshly ground black pepper, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare the wet ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer or by hand in a large bowl), combine the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture on medium speed for about 3 minutes until it becomes fluffy and light.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Then pour in the vanilla extract and give the batter another quick mix.
- Combine dry and wet mixtures: Add the dry flour mixture to the wet batter all at once. To do this easily, lift the mixer’s head if needed and cover the machine with a kitchen towel to prevent flour from flying out. Begin mixing on low speed until the flour is mostly incorporated, then increase to medium speed until no streaks of flour remain.
- Fold in chocolate chunks: Add the dark chocolate chunks to the dough and mix briefly until they are evenly distributed.
- Chill the dough: Transfer the cookie dough to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. Chilling helps the flavors develop and the dough to firm up for easier scooping.
- Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop the dough: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out balls of dough. If the dough is very cold, press it firmly into the scoop for compact cookies. Arrange 6 to 7 dough balls per baking sheet, spaced apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 7 to 8 minutes. If the dough is very cold, baking time may extend to 10 minutes. The cookies should turn a light to medium golden brown when done.
- Finish and cool: Remove cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt to enhance flavor. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Freeze cookie dough (optional): To freeze cookie dough for future use, shape dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 20 minutes, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Store for up to 3 months and bake from frozen when ready.
Notes
- Make cookie dough in advance — dough can be tightly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Freezing cookie dough — freeze dough balls on a sheet pan then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen without thawing.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Sprinkling a pinch of salt on cookies right out of the oven balances the sweetness and enhances the chai spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 289
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 129mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
