Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Tender, chewy, and laced with the warmth of chai spices, these Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies are the edible hug you didn’t know you needed. As the autumn breeze rustles through the trees, the rich scent of pumpkin and aromatic spices fills your kitchen, inviting everyone to gather around. Quick to whip up, these cookies not only bring nostalgic flavors reminiscent of cozy evenings but also make the perfect treat for kids and adults alike. Imagine soft cookies melting in your mouth, balanced beautifully by hints of cinnamon and cardamom. It’s time to embrace the season and bake these indulgent delights that will leave your family and friends craving more.

Can you resist the enticing aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home?

Is there anything more comforting than a warm cookie on a chilly day? Picture yourself snuggling up on the couch, a steaming cup of chai in hand, and savoring the deliciousness that is biting into a Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookie. Maybe you recall baking with your mom or grandma during the fall, where laughter filled the air alongside the sweet scent of baking spices. Whether you’re looking for a delightful afternoon snack or a special treat for gatherings, these cookies will certainly tickle your taste buds and evoke cherished memories.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe for Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies showcases incredible benefits that make it a must-try in your baking repertoire.

• Easy Prep: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll be enjoying these cookies in no time.

• Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love a cookie that brings everyone together? They are sure to impress at parties or holiday gatherings!

• Minimal Ingredients: This recipe utilizes basic pantry staples, plus some delightful spices, making it accessible for all bakers.

• Nostalgia Induced: The combination of chai spices and pumpkin calls back to pleasant autumn memories with every bite.

• Customization Potential: Feeling adventurous? Swap out the chocolate chips for toffee bits or try using different types of frosting. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree: Use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.

• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed): For moisture and a touch of molasses flavor.

• ½ cup neutral oil or melted unsalted butter: Keeps the cookies soft and chewy.

• 1 large egg yolk: Helps bind the dough without making the cookies cakey.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances warmth and overall flavor.

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure (use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend if needed).

• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Leavening agent for light texture.

• ½ teaspoon baking powder: Additional lift prevents dense cookies.

• ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the spice notes.

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

You can use a store-bought chai spice mix or create your own flavorful blend with:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• ½ teaspoon ground allspice

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Optional: A pinch of finely ground black pepper (adds a subtle warming kick).

This homemade chai spice mix brings bold aromatic flavor and pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

• ½ cup chocolate chips (or white chocolate chunks, or toffee bits): For added sweetness and texture.

• Maple glaze or cream cheese frosting (for drizzling or sandwiching): Adds richness and a festive finish.

Timing

One of the best aspects of baking these Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies is how quickly you can sink your teeth into them. Prep time is around 20 minutes, and baking will only take about 12-15 minutes. Before you know it, you can indulge in warm, flavorful cookies fresh from the oven. If you prefer a luxurious baked treat, chilling the dough for an hour allows the flavors to marry beautifully, creating an even more decadent cookie that melts in your mouth.

Step-by-Step

Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This little step ensures your cookies don’t stick and provides easy cleanup!

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine your pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil (or melted butter), egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat these together until the mixture is smooth and velvety. The moment you mix the ingredients, the sweet aroma begins to fill the room, heralding a delightful treat soon to come!

Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and your prepared chai spice mix. Gradually add this dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until everything is just combined. The dough will be soft but should hold its shape.

Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

For those seeking the ultimate cookie experience, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for about 30 minutes. This step not only enhances the flavors but also helps prevent spreading during baking, resulting in more perfectly shaped cookies.

Scoop and Bake

Once chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough, placing them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden on the edges but still soft in the center. The fragrant aroma will envelop your kitchen, making your mouth water in anticipation!

Cool Completely

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack to set completely. The cooling process allows the cookies to firm up while keeping their delightful chewy center.

(Optional) Add Maple Glaze or Cream Cheese Frosting

For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle the cookies with a maple glaze or apply a thin layer of cream cheese frosting. Feel free to sandwich two cookies together with frosting for an over-the-top dessert explosion!

Nutritional Information

Each Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookie contains approximately 150 calories, depending on additional toppings. While they embody indulgence, remember that it’s perfectly fine to enjoy a sweet treat once in a while; these cookies can easily earn their place in your heart as an occasional indulgence!

Healthier Alternatives

If you’re on the lookout for healthier alternatives, consider these suggestions:

• Low-sugar: Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like erythritol to reduce the overall sugar content.

• Dairy-free swaps: Replace butter with coconut oil or nut butter for a dairy-free option. Use dairy-free chocolate chips if preferred.

Serving Suggestions

These Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies shine as a delightful standalone treat but can be even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. They make for perfect holiday desserts or cozy additions to any gathering. Pair them with a warm cup of spiced chai or pumpkin spice latte for a delightful afternoon or evening treat!

Common Mistakes

To help you succeed in your baking adventure, here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Overbaking: Keep a close eye on baking time; removing the cookies too late will lead to dry, crumbly cookies.

• Texture issues: If your cookies turn out too flat, it could be due to not chilling the dough or using too much liquid.

• Messy preparation: Be sure to measure your ingredients carefully and clean as you go to make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Storing Tips

To keep your cookies fresh and delightful, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to freeze portions, simply place the unbaked cookie dough on a cookie sheet, freeze until solid, and transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready for a treat, bake them from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time!

Are you ready to experience the warmth and flavor of Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies?

These irresistible cookies deserve a spot on your baking list today! Not only do they come together quickly, but they evoke the heartwarming nostalgia of fall and family gatherings. Whip them up soon and discover the magic of pumpkin and chai spices in every bite. You’ll want to bake them again and again.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

Absolutely! Just make sure to cook and puree the pumpkin properly for the best results.

2. Can I substitute other flours?

Yes, feel free to experiment with almond flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free blend. Just remember that it may alter the texture slightly.

3. How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for lightly golden edges and a soft center. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

4. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Definitely! The dough can be prepared in advance and chilled. Bake them fresh on the day you plan to serve.

5. What can I add for additional flavor?

Consider adding chopped nuts, dried fruits, or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and flavor variations!

Embrace the pumpkin-spice season with these delectable Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies and watch as they become a staple in your dessert rotation!

Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

Tender and chewy, these Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies are infused with warm chai spices and perfect for cozy autumn days.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Baked Goods

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cookies

• 1 cup pumpkin puree Use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• ¾ cup brown sugar Packed for moisture and a touch of molasses flavor.
• ½ cup neutral oil or melted unsalted butter Keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
• 1 large egg yolk Helps bind the dough without making the cookies cakey.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances warmth and overall flavor.
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend if needed.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda Leavening agent for light texture.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder Additional lift prevents dense cookies.
• ¼ teaspoon salt Balances sweetness and brings out the spice notes.
• ½ cup chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks For added sweetness and texture.

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Adds warmth and sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom For its unique aromatic flavor.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger Adds a bit of heat.
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves For its strong, warm flavor.
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice Enhances the depth of flavor.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg For a hint of sweetness.
• a pinch finely ground black pepper Adds a subtle warming kick.

Optional Toppings

• to taste maple glaze or cream cheese frosting Adds richness and a festive finish.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil (or melted butter), egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and chai spice mix. Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
4. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes (optional) to enhance flavors and prevent spreading during baking.

Baking

1. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced two inches apart.
2. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
3. Let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4. Drizzle with maple glaze or frost with cream cheese frosting as desired.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Freeze unbaked cookie dough and bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.