Chai Sugar Cookies (Taylor's Version)

Taylor Swift is best known for her lyrical “style” and "bejeweled” performances, but did you know she also tends to dabble in baking?

A few years ago, she shared one of her favorite winter recipes, chai sugar cookies with an eggnog glaze. Swifties quickly started making their own variations of the winter treat every year. So, grab your “cardigan”, turn on the “All Too Well” short film, and use the recipe below to create a 13/10 treat from Miss Americana herself.

Ingredients:

Cookies

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• ½ cup vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar

• 1 ½ tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground allspice

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground cardamom

• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

• Pinch of black pepper

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ¾ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• Cinnamon sugar

Glaze

• 1 ½ cup powdered sugar

• ¼ tsp round nutmeg

• 3 tablespoons whole milk or eggnog

Instructions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350℉ and prepare your baking sheet.

2.  Use a mixer to beat the butter at medium speed for 1 minute. Add the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and ALL the spices. Then, mix again!

3.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix once again.

4.  Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt all at once using a wooden spoon or the mixer set on low.

5.  At this point, the dough will be soft, so throw the dough in the fridge for an hour or freeze for 15 minutes. This will make it a little easier to handle.

6.  If you want larger cookies, put approximately 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.  For smaller cookies use 1 Tablespoon for each cookie. Press the dough evenly with your fingers or palm to 1/4-inch thickness.  Roll each cookie dough in a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.

7.  For larger cookies, bake for 12-14 minutes. For smaller cookies, bake for 8-10 minutes.

8.  In a bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients and spread the finished glaze over the cookies once they have cooled. You can even add a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg for a little extra flavor!

Remember to store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature! They will last for up to 4 days!

Since her original posting of the recipe in 2014, chai sugar cookies have been brought back into light every year during the Winter season, and every year Swifties immediately jump into the kitchen to start baking. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this recipe and I hope you find “happiness” in your own chai sugar cookie shenanigans.

Be well, Auburn.