Chai Tea Sugar Cookies

Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies, if using a 1.5″ ice cream scoop.

How to make the chai tea powder (for use in cookie dough and in the vanilla chai sugar):

1. In a food processor or powerful blender, add the contents of 6 chai tea bags. I just simply removed the bags from the box, snipped off the top of the bags with kitchen shears, and dumped each bag’s tea into the processor.

2. Process on high for about 30 seconds or until you have a fine powder. Be careful removing the lid because a powerful, powdery air will come out and tickle your nose!

3. Dump powder carefully into a bowl and set aside.

How to make cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and set two of the oven racks the middle of the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment or better yet- Silpat mats. Set aside.

2. Make your vanilla chai sugar by mixing together 1/4 cup of vanilla sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of your chai tea powder in a dish or pie pan. Set aside.

3. Now for the cookies: Add your room temperature butter, vanilla sugar and brown sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium-high until light in color and fluffy (or creamed as we call it). This will take about 5 minutes.

4. While the butter/sugar is creaming, sift together your flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

5. Scrape down sides of the mixer bowl, and add room temperature egg. Mix again until fully combined. Scrape down sides of the bowl again.

6. Next add your 2 tablespoons of chai tea powder. Mix well.

7. Lastly with mixer on low, add your sifted flour mix. Combine until just incorporated. You can definitely overmix here and create a tough cookie. No bueno.

8. With a 1.5″ ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of dough. Roll in your hands until smooth and round, then roll around in your vanilla chai sugar. Make sure all of the surface of each ball is covered!

9. After the dough has been rolled in sugar, place onto your baking sheet, about 1 1/2-2″ apart. I fit a dozen on each Silpat lined sheet pan.

10. Bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from oven as soon as your cookies have risen, cracked a little on top, and are just beginning to brown on the bottom. Do not let bottoms get darker than a light golden color or it will take away from the chai flavor, surprisingly.

11. Allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and then enjoy!