If you’ve ever dreamed of combining warm spices with the cozy sweetness of maple, this Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to try next. These soft, flavorful cookies bring together the comforting notes of chai spices with a subtle maple-infused icing, creating a treat that feels like a hug in cookie form. Perfect for sharing with friends or keeping all to yourself, these cookies have a tender crumb and a lightly spiced sugar crunch that make each bite utterly memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the secret to nailing this Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe. Each element is carefully chosen to balance texture, warmth, and sweetness — from the softened butter for that melt-in-your-mouth feel to the fragrant chai spices that bring the magic of fall into your kitchen.
- Unsalted butter (1 ½ C, softened): Provides a rich, creamy base and ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Light brown sugar (1 ¼ C): Adds moisture and a deep caramel sweetness that complements the spices.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 tbsp): Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie’s softness.
- Flour (4 ¼ C): The backbone of the cookies that gives structure and chewiness.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Ensures lightness and helps the cookies rise just right.
- Ground cinnamon (2 tsp): A dominant chai spice that offers warmth and sweetness.
- Ground ginger (½ tsp): Adds a subtle zing and brightness to the spice blend.
- Cardamom (½ tsp): Gives a floral, slightly citrusy note that makes these cookies unique.
- Allspice (½ tsp): Deepens the chai flavor with a mix of sweet and peppery tones.
- Ground nutmeg (½ tsp): Adds a delicate earthiness that rounds out the spice blend.
- Kosher salt (½ tsp): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- Ground black pepper (¼ tsp): Introduces a gentle kick that enhances the chai spice complexity.
- Butter (¼ C, melted): For brushing the cookies before the spiced sugar coating.
- Sugar (½ C): Mixed with spices to create a crunchy chai sugar topping.
- Powdered sugar (1 C): The base of the luscious maple icing.
- Pure maple extract (2 tsp): Delivers authentic maple flavor without the heaviness of syrup.
- Milk (2-5 tbsp): Adjusts the icing consistency for perfect drizzling.
How to Make Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cookie Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lining two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures that your delicious cookies bake evenly and won’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and the chai spice blend consisting of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. This spice mix is what brings the heartwarming chai profile to every bite.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
In another large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and airy. This step is crucial for giving your cookies that tender and soft texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs
Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. This helps keep the batter smooth and ensures even distribution throughout the dough.
Step 5: Mix in Vanilla
Pour in the pure vanilla extract and mix until everything is entirely combined, adding a lovely aromatic undertone to the dough.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, continuing to beat until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, which helps maintain a tender crumb in the cookies.
Step 7: Roll Out the Dough
Sprinkle some flour onto a cutting board and roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. This thickness strikes the perfect balance between soft and sturdy cookies.
Step 8: Cut the Cookies
Using a cookie cutter, cut out circles (or your favorite shape!). Each cookie will have just the right size to bake evenly and delight your taste buds.
Step 9: Bake the Cookies
Place about 12 to 14 cookie cutouts onto each prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start turning a light golden brown—this signals perfect doneness.
Step 10: Cool the Cookies
Remove the trays from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling fully here is essential for decorating later without melting your icing.
Step 11: Prepare the Chai Sugar Topping
Whisk the sugar with the chai spices in a small bowl to create a sweet, fragrant topping that adds a delightful crunch and extra warmth on your cookies.
Step 12: Brush with Melted Butter
Brush each cookie lightly with melted butter using a BBQ brush. This not only helps the spiced sugar adhere beautifully but also adds an irresistible buttery sheen.
Step 13: Add the Spiced Sugar
Sprinkle the chai sugar topping generously on each cookie for that perfectly textured sweet layer.
Step 14: Make the Maple Icing
In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, maple extract, and 2 to 5 tablespoons of milk until smooth. If the icing appears too thick or lumpy, whisk in additional milk a teaspoon at a time to reach the perfect drizzle consistency.
Step 15: Drizzle the Icing
Scoop the maple icing into a piping bag and trim the tip to your desired size. Drizzle elegant lines over each cookie, adding a lovely visual and sweet finish.
Step 16: Let Icing Set
Allow the maple icing to set completely before enjoying your masterpieces. This final step ensures the icing won’t smudge and every bite delivers that perfect maple chai combination.
How to Serve Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Consider garnishing your cookies with a light dusting of cinnamon or a few chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts to enhance the texture and add a nutty depth. A tiny sprinkle of coarse sugar gives a sparkling finish that makes these cookies look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea or a spiced latte, amplifying the warmly spiced flavors. For a chilly day treat, serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a warm mug of apple cider to create an inviting seasonal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a festive platter layered with cinnamon sticks and star anise for a visually stunning presentation at holiday gatherings. You could also sandwich two cookies together with a layer of cream cheese frosting or spiced maple buttercream for a decadent twist on this Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The spices will deepen in flavor over time, but keep the container sealed tightly to preserve the crisp sugar topping and delicate icing.
Freezing
These cookies freeze brilliantly. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid; then transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They will keep their fresh-baked taste for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy thawed cookies with a fresh-baked warmth, gently heat them in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving as this can melt the icing and change the texture of the cookie.
FAQs
Can I substitute the maple extract with real maple syrup?
While real maple syrup adds moisture and natural sweetness, it can affect the dough’s consistency and the icing’s texture. Using pure maple extract keeps the flavor intense without altering the cookie’s structure.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup to make a gluten-free version.
How long should I let the icing set?
Allow at least 30 minutes for the maple icing to set at room temperature. This prevents smudging and helps the icing firm up enough for perfect handling.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. This resting period actually enhances the flavors and makes rolling out easier.
What is the best way to roll out the dough?
Lightly flour your rolling surface and dough to prevent sticking. Rolling the dough evenly to about ¼-inch thick ensures the cookies bake uniformly – not too thin to dry out, not too thick to stay underbaked.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to bake and share this Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe as I am to pass it along. The way those fragrant spices mingle with the sweet maple drizzle is pure joy in every bite. Whether you’re making these for a holiday celebration or a cozy afternoon treat, they promise to make your kitchen smell incredible and warm every heart that tastes them. Give this recipe a whirl and make your cookie jar the happiest place in the house.
Print
Maple Chai Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Maple Chai Sugar Cookies combine cozy chai spices with a tender sugar cookie base, finished with a luscious maple-infused icing. Perfect for festive occasions or a comforting treat, these cookies balance warm cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg flavors with a delicate maple glaze.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ¼ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Chai Sugar Topping
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Maple Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure maple extract
- 2–5 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Brown Sugar: In another large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter with light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add Vanilla: Stir the pure vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture and mix well.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, beating until a smooth dough forms.
- Roll Out Dough: Lightly flour a cutting board or pastry surface, then roll the cookie dough into a ¼-inch thick layer for even baking.
- Cut Cookies: Use a cookie cutter to cut out circles from the dough.
- Arrange and Bake: Place 12-14 cookie circles on each prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges just start to lightly brown.
- Cool on Sheets: Remove baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks.
- Cool Completely: Allow all cookies to cool completely on wire racks to ensure proper texture before decorating.
- Prepare Chai Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Melt Butter: Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl for brushing onto the cookies.
- Butter the Cookies: Using a BBQ brush, lightly brush the melted butter over the surface of each cooled cookie.
- Sprinkle Chai Sugar: Generously sprinkle the chai spiced sugar mixture over the buttered cookies to add a crispy, spicy coating.
- Make Maple Icing: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and pure maple extract. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and whisk until smooth. If the icing is still lumpy, add 1-2 teaspoons more milk until the desired consistency is reached.
- Pipe the Icing: Transfer the icing to a piping bag and cut off the tip. Drizzle decorative lines of icing over the cookies.
- Set the Icing: Allow the icing to set completely before serving or storing to ensure it holds its shape.
Notes
- You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- If you don’t have pure maple extract, you can substitute with high-quality maple syrup, but reduce added liquid accordingly.
- Ensure the butter for the dough is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
- Adjust the chai spice quantities to suit your personal taste preference.
