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Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re searching for a cookie that’s anything but ordinary, you’re about to fall in love with this Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It’s warm, cozy, and has this fantastic blend of chai spices perfectly paired with rich dark chocolate chunks. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for chilly evenings or when you just want a little comfort in every bite.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Unique Flavor Twist: The chai spices add a subtle warmth that perfectly complements the chocolate, making every bite exciting.
  • Simple Yet Special: The method is straightforward, but the result is anything but ordinary—perfect for both beginner and seasoned bakers.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the dough ahead or freeze cookie balls, saving you stress for busy days.
  • Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these—guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe comes from the blend of warm chai spices paired with quality chocolate. Each ingredient brings something special to the party, so pick them with care if you want that perfect balance.

  • All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cookies, giving them structure and softness.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: These help the cookies rise perfectly and get that just-right texture.
  • Ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, black pepper: This chai spice blend is what transforms these cookies—they add warmth and just a hint of unexpected spice.
  • Salt: It balances sweetness and enhances those chai spices.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled slightly for rich, tender cookies.
  • Brown sugar and granulated sugar: The brown sugar adds chewiness and a subtle molasses flavor, while granulated sugar ensures a crisp edge.
  • Eggs: They bind the ingredients and help with moisture.
  • Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor and complements the spices beautifully.
  • Dark chocolate chunks: Bite-sized pieces that melt wonderfully and contrast the spiced dough with rich, bittersweet flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about the Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak—so feel free to customize it based on what you have or your preferences. Here are some fun ideas I’ve tried and loved.

  • Spice It Up or Down: If you want a milder chai flavor, cut back on the black pepper or cloves. For a punchier spice hit, add a touch more ginger or cinnamon—I’ve done both, depending on my mood!
  • Chocolate Swap: I sometimes use milk chocolate chunks or even white chocolate for a sweeter twist—it changes the character but they’re still amazing.
  • Nuts or Dried Fruit: Adding chopped toasted walnuts or dried cranberries is a treat my family enjoys—adds a nice texture and bursts of flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Version: I experimented with a gluten-free blend once; just make sure to use one that doesn’t have xanthan gum added already. The texture was still great!

How to Make Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together Your Dry Spiced Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and all the chai spices—ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, plus black pepper and salt. This step wakes up the spices and makes sure they’re evenly distributed in your dough, so every bite has that cozy chai flavor.

Step 2: Cream the Sugars and Butter Until Fluffy

Using your stand mixer (or hand mixer), beat the melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until you get a soft, fluffy texture—usually about 3 minutes. This is where the magic starts; I find that giving it enough time here makes cookies that are perfectly chewy and tender.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then pour in the vanilla extract and give it one last quick mix. This keeps the dough nice and smooth and helps support the chai and chocolate flavors.

Step 4: Slowly Add the Spiced Flour Mix and Chocolate Chunks

Here’s a little trick I learned: add all the flour at once but cover your mixer with a clean kitchen towel (to prevent a flour cloud disaster!). Start at low speed until it’s mostly blended, then crank it up until there are no flour streaks visible. Fold in those chocolate chunks on low to keep chunks intact and evenly distributed.

Step 5: Chill Your Cookie Dough

Transfer the dough to the fridge and let it chill for at least an hour (or up to 2 days if your schedule demands). I used to skip this step but learned it really helps the cookies keep their shape and deepens the flavors—plus they bake more evenly.

Step 6: Scoop, Space, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out cookie balls and space them well apart to allow for spreading. This dough spreads nicely, so don’t crowd them. Bake for about 7-8 minutes, or up to 10 if your dough is very cold. They should look light to medium golden brown on the edges.

Right out of the oven, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on each batch—this step is my personal favorite because it brightens the spices and chocolate in every bite. Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

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Pro Tips for Making Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

  • Don’t Skip the Chilling: I used to rush this, but chilling the dough makes the flavors shine and prevents your cookies from spreading too much.
  • Use Fresh Spices: I learned that fresh ground chai spices truly make a difference—your cookies will taste far more vibrant.
  • Evenly Sized Scoops: Using a medium cookie scoop ensures uniform cookies that bake evenly every time.
  • Add Salt Right After Baking: A sprinkle of salt while the cookies are warm elevates the flavors better than mixing salt into the dough.

How to Serve Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Several chocolate chip cookies are placed on a soft white cloth with a slight texture. Each cookie is round, golden brown, and has large, melted dark chocolate chunks spread unevenly on the surface, showing a cracked texture on the cookie dough. A gold knife with a smooth edge lies on the right side of the cloth. The background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I often finish these cookies with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt or, when serving at a holiday party, a dusting of powdered sugar for that festive look and a hint of extra sweetness. Both options add a lovely flair and balance well with the chai spices.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a warm chai latte (to double down on the chai experience!) or a simple glass of cold milk if you want a classic combo. I also love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent twist that’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies on a wooden board with fresh cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and small bowls of chocolate chunks and nuts. It makes for a beautiful presentation that invites everyone to snag their favorite extras and build their perfect bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling completely, I keep my leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and chewy for about 4-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is your friend (see below!).

Freezing

I swear by freezing the cookie dough balls rather than baked cookies—it’s so convenient! Just scoop them out, place on a sheet pan, freeze until solid (about 20 minutes), then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and you can bake fresh cookies straight from frozen.

Reheating

If you want a warm cookie fresh from the oven but don’t want to bake a whole batch, pop one in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked texture and melty chocolate like magic.

FAQs

  1. Can I use store-bought chai spice mix instead of individual spices?

    Absolutely! Using a pre-mixed chai spice blend works well and saves time, but if you can, try to ensure it contains fresh spices for best flavor. You may want to adjust quantities slightly based on how strong the blend is.

  2. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

    Make sure to chill your dough well before baking—that step is key. Also, avoid over-melting the butter; melted but slightly cooled butter works best. Using parchment paper to bake on helps keep their shape too.

  3. Can I substitute the dark chocolate chunks with chips?

    Yes! Chocolate chips or any chopped chocolate can be used. The only difference is chunks create these lovely pockets of melty chocolate, while chips melt a bit more uniformly. Either way, delicious.

  4. Is this recipe suitable for holiday baking?

    Definitely! The chai spices evoke classic holiday flavors and the cookies freeze well, making them perfect for baking ahead of celebrations or sharing as gifts.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe brings together spice and chocolate in such a comforting way. When I first tried it, I was hooked instantly—there’s something so satisfying about that chewy texture with just enough spice to surprise you. If you want a cookie that’s a bit different but guaranteed to please, give these a try. Bake a batch, share them around, and enjoy that warm, cozy feeling getaway in every bite with friends and family.

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Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 64 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delight in these Chai Chocolate Chip Cookies, a perfect fusion of warm chai spices and rich dark chocolate chunks. These cookies combine the comforting flavors of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper with a classic chocolate chip cookie base for a unique treat that’s perfect for any occasion.


Ingredients

Dry Mix:

  • 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Mix:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces dark chocolate chunks


Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, black pepper, and salt until well combined. Set this aromatic dry mix aside.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the melted and slightly cooled butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat at medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix briefly to combine.
  3. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the prepared dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in one batch. Because of your mixer’s size, you may need to lift the head to add all the flour. Cover the mixer with a clean kitchen towel to avoid flour flying out, and start mixing on low speed until mostly combined. Then increase to medium speed and mix until there are no visible flecks of flour left. Finally, fold in the dark chocolate chunks until evenly distributed.
  4. Chill Dough: Transfer the cookie dough to the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour, or up to two days. Chilling firms up the dough and intensifies the flavors.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  6. Scoop and Shape Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out dough balls. If the dough is very chilled and firm, press it compactly into the scoop to form solid balls. Arrange 6 to 7 dough balls per baking sheet, spacing them well apart as the cookies will spread during baking.
  7. Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 7 to 8 minutes, or up to 10 minutes if the dough is very cold. The cookies should be a light to medium golden brown when done.
  8. Finish and Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle a few pinches of salt on top to enhance the flavor. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Repeat Baking: Continue to scoop, bake, and cool remaining dough until all cookies are baked.
  10. Freeze Dough (Optional): To freeze dough, place shaped dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze them until very firm, approximately 20 minutes. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe plastic bag for storage of up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen when ready.

Notes

  • You can prepare the cookie dough up to two days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator to develop flavors further.
  • Freezing cookie dough balls beforehand makes baking convenient and helps maintain cookie shape; bake from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • Sprinkling cookies with salt right after baking enhances the chai and chocolate flavors beautifully.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 289 kcal
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 129 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

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