As a regular reader of this blog you will know I have a sweet tooth. A sweet little something every now and again, quite simply, as far as I am concerned at least, adds to the enjoyment of life.
But when it comes to choosing something sweet to eat, despite appearances to the contrary, I am selective. If I'm going to indulge it has to be good. It has to be worth the calories. And usually my preference is for cakes, a few squares of dark chocolate or a decadent dessert. Cookies rarely get a look in, especially shortbread, as there are so many things I'd rather eat instead.
Shortbread is something I grew up with, unsurprising when you consider my Scottish heritage, but the shortbread I grew up with was always plain shortbread. Sweet and buttery, but in my mind boring.
However the addition of a small amount of ground chai tea leaves makes all the difference taking these Chai Shortbread Cookies, from boring and uninteresting (to me) to a cookie that is suddenly so much more interesting, not to mention fragrant. These tea cookies are totally addictive, something I'd never thought I'd say about shortbread, but it might help explain why these chai cookies have been rapidly disappearing!
Chai Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour all purpose
- 3 tbs loose leaf chai tea leaves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup icing sugar confectioners'
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 230 g butter room temperature, 2 sticks
Instructions
- Add the flour and tea leaves to a food processorand process until the tea is ground and spotted throughout the flour. Add the salt, icing sugar, vanilla extract and butter and pulse until a dough forms. Remove from the food processor and roll into a log of roughly 6cm (2 ½ inches) in diameter and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 190 celsius (375 Fahrenheit) and line a baking tray with baking paper. Slice the dough into 24 cookies and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges begin to golden. Cool on the baking tray before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Donna Davis says
Made these last Christmas. Amazing. I let the dough with tea sit in fridge 2 hours so it would have maximum chai flavor. I ate 6 cookies immediately. Each Day after they got more spicy which I wanted. Am making again this Christmas 2021. I used Stash Chai Spice loose tea and ground in a blender.
Theresa says
It could be the tea...I did use sugar.
Theresa says
I dont know what I may have done wrong, but my cookies just taste like leaves.
Jennifer says
Hi Theresa,
I'm sorry to hear that. Not being the in kitchen with you it's hard to say what went wrong. I can only guess. It could perhaps be a particularly brand of tea you used, or, I know this might be a silly question so please forgive me, but did you include the sugar in the dough?
Toni says
I just made these to send to a friend. I did half chai tea and half chai latte powder. I froze the dough for an hour and rolled the edges of the short bread in raw sugar, cinnamon, and a little pepper before baking. They're in the oven now. Hoping they turn out great! 🙂
Jennifer says
They sound fantastic Toni. How did they turn out? Do you have a photo?
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
Jennifer, I love these! Just perfect for my afternoon tea. I have to say I also adore your new site design... my new job has kept me well and truly on my toes with hardly any time for blogging, so this is my first time back since you're reno. Looks so chic and feminine, like you 🙂
Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats says
The shortbread sounds heavenly. I have only had Chai tea a couple of times, and love the aroma of the tea. I must give this a try. Bookmarking it and your photos are superb Jen. ♥ Jo
Wendy says
These look delicious and I love the ease of slice and bake! It would be great to keep a log of these in the freezer for "emergency" shortbread needs. 🙂 Though I have seen a few Earl Grey shortbread recipes, I haven't tried ground tea in cookies yet. The flavors of chai sound perfect for a butter cookie and the speckles of tea make the cookies so pretty!. I will be trying these soon. Now my mind is full of ground tea ideas. 🙂
Dan says
This looks like the perfect recipe to make for an afternoon tea. I can't wait to try it although knowing my clan, it likely won't last till afternoon! Thank so much for posting.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
I'm with you 100% that little sweet treats make life just that much better. We LOVE chai here, and love shortbread, so... 1+1 = we'll be making these soon!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Chai sounds like the perfect compliment to shortbread. I've always had a soft-spot for shortbread type or sable cookies, the crumbly buttery taste is so comforting.
nishan says
hi,,i cant get chai here in sg,,
any subsitute,,
thanks foe reply,,,
Jennifer says
Earl grey tea would be fantastic as well 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Beautiful photos as always Jennifer! I know what you mean about being selective. If I take a bit of something 'naughty' and it's not amazing then most of the time that will be my last bite.
I don't think that would be the case with your shortbread though.
Jennifer says
Thanks Claire 🙂 I'm exactly the same, if the first bite isn't worth it then I won't eat it.
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
Wow! My sons will love these! I often try different flavors in shortbread and this is one I haven't done yet. I can't wait to bake these. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Enjoy your week 🙂
ATasteOfMadness says
Chai AND shortbread cookies? I think I'm in heaven, this sounds like a dream combination!
thelittleloaf says
I love the photos in this post Jennifer - they look all moody and beautiful. Have you been experimenting with your photography style? Great recipe too - I'm not normally a huge shortbread fan but I love the look of these.
Jennifer says
Yes, I have been experimenting with my style a bit lately as I still don't think I've truly found myself, but I feel I'm getting closer. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Lovely photos and I love the addition of chai to the shortbread. Kicks it up a notch for sure.
GourmetGetaways says
Oh these look so fragrant and delicious! I love shortbread and it would be even more delicious with Chai flavours.
celia says
Chai and short bread sounds like a good match but when it comes to using tea leaves in baking recipes, is it okay to eat tea leaves?
Jennifer says
Yes, it's perfectly safe to eat the tea leaves. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love shortbread, chai is a perfect flavor for these cookies!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I'd devour this with my daily cup of tea! Love the added chai here 🙂
Amanda says
I'm with you - if I'm going to indulge, it has to be worth the calories. Thee little treats look divine & I know I have some chai languishing in the back of the cupboard - perfect!
Rosa says
A great combination. Those shortbreads must taste amazing!
Lovely clicks!
Cheers,
Rosa
Stephanie - The Dessert Spoon says
I too find plain shortbread a little boring, but this shortbread looks delicious. What a wonderful way to add flavour! Perfect for afternoon tea.
Jas (The Gluten Free Scallywag) says
I'm about to marry into some Scottish heritage although I'm sure through my Welsh heritage we ate alot of buttery goodness too. These look like a delicious combination of that soft buttery biscuit and the aromas of that spicy Chai blend. Will certainly be giving these a whirl.