Name: Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups (330 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); 2 teaspoons cream of tartar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cup (2 sticks, 226 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated white sugar; 2 large eggs (room temperature); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 5 tablespoons granulated white sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 9 reviews

If you’re craving a cookie that’s both comforting and delightfully spiced, you’re in for a treat with this Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe. These cookies take the beloved classic snickerdoodle and elevate it with the warm, aromatic spices of chai—cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and allspice—melding into a soft, chewy texture that’s simply irresistible. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and spice, making these cookies a cozy snack for any time of year or an inviting addition to your holiday baking lineup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl holds a light beige dough mixture with a smooth and creamy texture, showing soft peaks and swirls from stirring. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, highlighting the subtle ridges and valleys in the dough's surface created by mixing. The dough looks thick but has a soft, fluffy appearance with some lighter and slightly darker patches throughout. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe uses wonderfully simple ingredients, but each one plays a critical role in creating that perfect blend of flavor and texture. The spices bring the chai character while the cream of tartar ensures the classic snickerdoodle tang and chewiness.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives the cookies their structure without weighing them down.
Cream of tartar: Provides the slight tang and iconic snickerdoodle chewiness.
Baking soda: Allows the cookies to rise just enough for a soft, tender crumb.
Table salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the spices beautifully.
Ground cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and cloves: The heart of the chai flavor, these warm spices create that inviting spice blend.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated white sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve the classic crunch on the edges.
Large eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture for softness.
Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor profile with subtle, sweet warmth.
Additional granulated sugar and spices for coating: Gives the cookies that signature snickerdoodle crackly crust with an extra chai kick.

How to Make Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and your chai spice blend of cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and cloves. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, so every cookie gets that perfect chai warmth and the snickerdoodle texture we love.

Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter with the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies their tender crumb and slight lift.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Switch your mixer to low and gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Mix just until you have a uniform dough; overmixing at this stage can toughen the cookies. You’ll notice the dough is a bit sticky — that’s exactly what you want for soft, chewy snickerdoodles.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough tightly and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Chilling helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much when they bake, resulting in those perfect round shapes.

Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 6: Mix the Spiced Sugar Coating

While the oven heats, combine sugar with cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg in a small bowl. This coating will give the Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe their signature aromatic crust that makes these cookies so addictive.

Step 7: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or tablespoon, shape the dough into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Roll each ball immediately in the spiced sugar mixture, coating completely, then place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the tops look set but still slightly puffy. After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This keeps them soft inside with just the right crisp on the outside.

How to Serve Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe

A stack of six light brown, round cookies with a soft, slightly crackled texture sits on a white plate, with the top cookie showing a bite taken out of it. The cookies are sprinkled with a darker brown cinnamon sugar coating. Around the plate, more cookies rest on a white marbled surface, some lying flat and some stacked in the background. A cinnamon stick lies at the base of the cookie stack on the plate, and a green checkered cloth is partially visible in the foreground. In the softly blurred background, a white dish holds several cinnamon sticks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While these cookies stand beautifully on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a gentle drizzle of white chocolate can add a festive touch. For extra chai flavor, sprinkle a few specks of cinnamon or ground cardamom on top right after baking.

Side Dishes

Serve these chai-spiced delights alongside a warm cup of chai tea or a creamy latte to mirror the cookie’s spice profile. They also pair wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming gift or party display, stack the cookies tied with rustic twine and decorated with sprigs of fresh cinnamon sticks or star anise. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting or spiced buttercream for a show-stopping treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure to layer them between parchment paper to keep their delicate texture intact and prevent sticking.

Freezing

To freeze, place the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too and can be thawed at room temperature.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy a warm Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe cookie leftovers, pop them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and aroma.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?

All-purpose flour works best for the perfect texture, but you can experiment with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste—just keep in mind it may make the cookies a bit denser.

What makes snickerdoodles different from other cookies?

Traditional snickerdoodles are characterized by their tangy flavor due to cream of tartar and the cinnamon-sugar coating, which gives them a signature crackly crust and soft interior. This chai twist enhances that experience with a lovely spice complexity.

Can I adjust the spice levels in the chai blend?

Absolutely! Feel free to tweak the amounts or omit certain spices to suit your taste. This recipe is very forgiving and invites personalization, whether you prefer more cinnamon or want to experiment with a dash of ginger.

Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling firms up the butter and hydrates the flour, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also develops flavors and improves texture, ensuring chewy, soft snickerdoodles that hold their shape.

Are these cookies suitable for gift-giving?

Definitely! Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe cookies are charming, flavorful, and keep well, making them a thoughtful and delightful homemade gift that’s sure to impress friends and family.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about the cozy warmth and inviting aroma of chai spices swirling through a classic snickerdoodle. This Chai Snickerdoodles Recipe is one I’m excited to share because it’s easy, delightful, and utterly satisfying every time. I encourage you to bake a batch today—you won’t regret filling your kitchen with these fragrant, scrumptious cookies and sharing them with your loved ones.