Chai Shortbread

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 In India, chai means tea, and it derives ffrom the Chinese word, cha'. The sweet, spiced beverage we know as "Chai" in america is a specific preparation called Masala Chai, which translates to "spiced tea".

So, while we often hear the phrase, Chai Tea, in America, it's actually a redundancy. Saying "Chai tea" is literally, "tea-tea"! The same can be said for "shortbread cookie", since shortbread are cookies.

I added a classic blend of ground spices to my Chai Shortbread: allspice, cardamom, ginger, pumpkin spice and nutmeg. I find a splash of vanilla extract rounds out the sweet and spicy flavors.

I also added a dot of white chocolate on top (entirely optional).

These cookies scream Fall and Winter! They are warmly spicy without being to assertive. If you like it milder, just reduce the quantity of spices to your personal preference. Or, you can pump it up further by adding a little ground pepper or crushed fennel seed.

 

Chai Shortbread

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp ground black tea leaves

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp kosher salt

2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper and set aside.

Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, tea, pumpkin spice, ginger, allspice, cardmom and salt on medium speed in a bowl with your mixer for 2 minutes.

Add in the flour with mixer on low until just combined.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface or between plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin, roll out to about 1/3 inch in thickness. Cut out with a 2 inch round cutter or any shape you prefer.

Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden on edges.

Move the cookies to wire rack to cool for a few minutes.

Optional - melt some white chocolate and dot the top of each cookie.

 

Perfect with a cup of tea- Chai is ideal for digestion and relaxation because of its blend of spices...it aids gut health and reduces bloating.

You can store in a airtight container for 7 days or freeze for a month.