Chai Spritz Cookies

One bite of these creamy Chai Spritz Cookies will remind you of a warm, comforting cup of chai on a cold winter’s night. All the warm chai spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves are mixed into a cream cheese spritz cookie dough and shaped with a cookie press for a delightful cookie. You’ll want to add this one to your cookie platter this holiday season!

Welcome to 2023’s 12 Days of Cookies!
These Chai Spritz Cookies are Day 3 of our 12 Days of Cookies!
Be sure to check out all of the other days for more goodies!

Day 1 – Cherry Biscotti
Day 2 – Sour Cream Cookies
Day 3 – You’re on it!
Day 4 – Millionaire Bars
Day 5 – Chocolate Chip Potato Chip Cookies
Day 6 – Nana’s Oatmeal Cookies
Day 7 – No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Day 8 – Coffee Cake Cookies
Day 9 – Meringue Christmas Trees
Day 10 – Cookie Sticks
Day 11 – Christmas Buckeyes
Day 12 – Melted Snowman Cookies

I love spiced chai tea lattes! The soothing combination of heated milk and tea mixed with the warm spices of chai just can’t be beaten. If I’m not whipping up a mug and cozying up with a blanket and book, then baking up a batch of these lightly spiced cookies is the next best thing!

What equipment do I need to make Spritz Cookies?

Besides the usual baking supplies, you’ll need an electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, a baking sheet, and a cookie press set.

I’ve tried many a cookie press in my day, and this one by OXO is the one I like the most and have had the best results with.
There’s nothing worse than buying a cookie press only to become frustrated that the darn thing won’t work or the cookies won’t stick as you go to press them onto the baking tray.

Ingredients for Chai Cookies

The ingredient list is a little long, but most of the ingredients are pantry staples this time of the year. Gather together the following things to make the best spritz cookie recipe:

• 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup granulated white sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• Shimmer White Sugar and/or Cupcake Pearls, optional for decoration

How to make Chai Spritz Cookies

Make this dough as directed below and divide it into 2-3 batches. You can keep the other portions of dough on the counter as you work—no need to refrigerate!

1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with an electric mixer), cream the shortening and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and well combined.
2. Add the sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla, and mix until well combined.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including flour, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, salt, allspice, cloves, and white pepper. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed, making sure no flour is left in the bottom of the bowl.
4. Divide the soft dough into 2-3 smaller sections, then press one portion into the cookie press. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions, but generally, you’ll place the cookie press vertically onto a baking sheet, squeeze the trigger, and gently lift up as you release. Continue adding cookies about 1 ½ inches apart on the baking sheet.
5. Decorate the unbaked cookies with shimmer white sugar or cupcake pearls if desired, then bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden brown on the edges.
6. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Troubleshooting Tips for Classic Spritz Cookies

Follow these helpful tips for perfect spritz cookies every time!

• Use room temperature ingredients. Your dough needs to be warmer so that it “grips” the baking sheet when you press it. Cold dough will not stick to the pan as you press it.
• Use an ungreased cookie sheet. I like to stick mine in the freezer as I make the dough so there’s an even larger difference in temperature between the baking sheet and the dough.
• Don’t use parchment paper or a silicone mat. Usually, I’m all about the parchment paper for easy cleanup, but in this case, the dough will not stick to it when pressed.
• Use a light-colored baking sheet. Dark pans promote browning, so for a lighter, prettier cookie, use a light metal sheet.
• When decorating the cookies with the cupcake pearls, I find it easiest to use some long tweezers. It may seem like a splurge, but they are super helpful when placing the pearls and makes the decorating go so much faster and I’m a lot more precise than if I were just using my fingers.

How to store Spritz Cookies with Chai

Store these in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. For longer storage, these cookies freeze well!

Can you freeze Chai Spritz Cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze very well! Once they cool completely, transfer the chai cookies to a freezer bag or other airtight container. Store them in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw them on the counter overnight before serving.

More Chai Recipes

Make one of these delicious chai-inspired treats to get your chai fix this winter:

Chai Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread with warming chai spices. A sweet vanilla glaze on top makes this easy bread recipe complete!

Chai Snickerdoodles: Warming cardamom, sweet cinnamon, and a kick of clove and ginger make these just right for a chilly autumn day!

This Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cake is so moist and delicious, that it will be the center of your fall dessert table. But everyone will want to eat it all year long!

Homemade Chai Syrup is easy to make with sweetened condensed milk and a handful of spices. Mix a couple of teaspoons with black tea to enjoy a lightly sweetened chai that’s every bit as delicious as the coffee house version. This syrup will make a wonderful holiday gift for hostesses, too!