Thursday, May 31, 2012

Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies


I’m a big fan of Cinnamon.
I have it sprinkled on my muesli in the morning, I love putting it into cakes or muffins and even on French toast with caramelised bananas and maple syrup! I even sprinkle some on top of my morning coffee.

If you’ve ever done the “Cinnamon Challenge” you will:
a)    Know that this is in-fact a challenge, as opposed to those who brush off this “challenge” with such exaggerated confidence – really having no idea what they are in for.
b)    Have an understanding of how hilarious it can be watching others do the “Cinnamon Challenge”
c)    Have a new appreciation of that nutty little bark I have become ever so fond of.
If you haven’t done the “Cinnamon Challenge,” It simply is trying to swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon in one mouthful. Deceivingly hard.

I’m also a big fan of coffee.
There is nothing more exciting than waking up to a big steaming hot man cup of coffee (in bed).
I am lucky enough to have recently acquired been able to use Jack’s Nespresso coffee machine. It’s amazing by the way!
For those Nespresso fanatics – yes it really is concerning okay to have five coffee’s a day. The sensational quality of Nespresso truly makes up for the fact you will not be able to get to sleep at night.

For those that enjoy a warm cup of coffee and enjoy sleeping at night – You may have discovered Chai latte’s.
I love a good Chai latte. Not one made with that sickly sweet syrup (cough DOME cough), but one that you can taste the authentic Indian spices. The cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger…Mmm! I came across this recipe for Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies on a food blog I came across in my food-blog-obsessed-ventures.
These cookies are begging to be dunked into a big cup of tea (Chai tea specifically or even better – a Chai latte!). They have a gorgeous sugar crust on the outside, a small crunch and soft on the inside. Imagine a mix between a ginger snap biscuit and a cinnamon spiced shortbread biscuit.
If you aren’t a fan of Chai tea, these cookies have had the tick of approval from all chai-lovers and non-chai-lovers alike during my sampling at work.
And I totally didn’t even Photoshop these photos!


Crinkle-top-sweet-sugary-spice goodness. Don’t stop at one. I make them bite sized so you don’t feel as bad when you eat seven a couple of them!



Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies

 


































Yield: About 3 dozen cookies



Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes


Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.





3. In a medium bowl combine sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice and black pepper. Remove 1/4 cup of the sugar-spice mixture, set aside to reserve for rolling the cookies. 


















4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar-spice mixture until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.





















6. Slowly blend in dry ingredients mixing until just combined. 
















7. Using a small scoop (2 teaspoons) roll dough into balls and then into the reserved sugar-spice mixture. Place dough balls on prepared baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.















8. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.














9. Let stand on baking sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.


















Notes:

- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.





2 comments:

  1. These look awesome!! You bake like a pro :D Love this post too, will follow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jaxstar! These cookies were absolutely demolished by everyone that set eyes on them! One to add to the "usuals" bake list! :)

      Delete