Description
Delight in these Espresso Chai Cookies infused with warm spices and bold espresso flavor, topped with a luscious maple cinnamon icing. Perfect for a cozy snack or festive treat, these cookies combine the aromatic essence of chai spices with a hint of coffee and a sweet, drizzling glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp espresso powder
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
For the Maple Cinnamon Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1-2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy using a mixer. This creates the base texture for your cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and espresso powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring the espresso flavor distributes evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Slowly incorporate this dry mix into the wet ingredients just until combined, careful not to overmix.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place each ball on baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie edges are set and the tops develop characteristic cracks.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly and maintain their texture.
- Prepare the Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and cinnamon until smooth. Adjust the milk amount to achieve a drizzling consistency suitable for decorating.
- Decorate the Cookies: Drizzle the maple cinnamon icing over the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing to ensure a perfect finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Adjust espresso powder amount based on your preference for coffee flavor intensity.
- Ensure cookies are cooled before icing to prevent melting and running.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
