Description
These Espresso Chai Cookies with Maple Cinnamon Icing combine the bold flavors of espresso and warm chai spices in a soft, chewy cookie. Topped with a sweet and slightly spicy maple cinnamon icing, these cookies offer a delightful balance of rich coffee taste with aromatic spices, perfect for any occasion or a cozy afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Maple Cinnamon Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons milk (adjust as needed for consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and espresso powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring the espresso flavor is evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, and ground cloves to evenly distribute the chai spices.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and maintaining a tender texture.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets 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 edges are set and the tops show characteristic cracks, signs of perfect doneness.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
- Make the Icing: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and ground cinnamon until smooth. Adjust the milk amount to achieve a drizzle-able consistency.
- Decorate the Cookies: Drizzle the maple cinnamon icing over the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before serving or storing the cookies.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugars.
- Adjust milk in icing for thicker or thinner drizzles depending on preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Espresso powder intensifies coffee flavor without the liquid of coffee, preserving dough texture.
- Oven temperatures may vary; check cookies early to prevent overbaking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
