Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
These Taylor Swift Chai Cookies are a viral favorite for a reason, they are soft, sweet and spiced just right (just like our girl)! Inspired by the recipe Taylor once shared with fans, they turn a classic sugar cookie into something extra special. Each bite is buttery and tender, with cozy chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg creating that subtle warmth, topped with an eggnog frosting.
The chai tea adds a fragrant twist that pairs perfectly with a cozy cardigan and your favorite playlist. After one bite, you'll get why these cookies have their own cult following. Whether you're a Swiftie or just an avid baker, you'll be ready for it to become your new baking tradition.
For cookies with similar warmly-spiced flavors, try our Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies and Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy: The perfect balance between tender and just crisp on the edges.
- Warmly Spiced: Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and chai give every bite a cozy holiday vibe.
- Simple Ingredients: All you need is pantry staples, chai tea and eggnog for the optional extra festive topping.
- Festive Glaze: A drizzle of eggnog icing adds holiday charm.
Ingredients
These cookies come together easily with pantry staples and warm chai spices that give them their signature fan-favorite flavor.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Unsalted Butter: Brings richness and flavor to the cookies.
- Vegetable Oil: Helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar and Icing Sugar: Add sweetness and balance the spices.
- Chai Tea Packet: The secret ingredient that sets these apart.
- Eggnog: Used in the glaze for a seasonal twist and extra creaminess.
Measuring cups and spoons, stand mixer or hand mixer, mixing bowls, baking sheet, 1 ½-tablespoon cookie scoop and a great playlist is all you need to make Taylor Swift's chai cookies.
Variations
- Extra Chai Flavor: Use two chai tea bags instead of one for a stronger, spicier cookie. Different brands (like Tazo or Oregon Chai) can subtly change the flavor.
- White Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of white chocolate chips for a creamy contrast to the chai flavor.
- Glaze: Swap the eggnog glaze for a maple or vanilla version. You can also skip it altogether and dust with cinnamon sugar.
- Extra Spice: Boost the warmth with an added dash of cardamom, nutmeg or even ground ginger for a little kick.
- Sanding Sugar: Add pink sanding sugar before baking for a "Lover"-era sparkle.
- Sprinkles: Top the glaze with red heart-shaped sprinkles for a nod to one of Taylor's most iconic eras.
How to Make Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
With just a few simple steps, these chai-spiced sugar cookies bake up soft, fragrant and perfect for any time you're craving a little comfort (or a Taylor-inspired treat).
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, chai tea bag contents, baking soda and salt, then set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, for 1 minute beat butter on medium low. Run again with vegetable oil, granulated sugar and powdered sugar just until combined; you want it to have pieces of butter still intact.
Add egg and vanilla extract then mix for about 20-30 seconds to combine.
Transfer dry ingredients to the stand mixer and run on low to incorporate together.
Chill dough in the fridge for an hour; the longer the dough chills, the more flavorful it will be.
Preheat oven to 350F when ready to bake. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on tops of cookies and sprinkle with sugar (I like to add a little sugar to the top then flatten with a ¼ cup measuring cup, and then sugar again- that helps it to not stick)
Bake about 8 minutes or until edges start to turn golden. Cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
Make your glaze by whisking icing sugar, eggnog, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of icing onto centre of cookies, and enjoy!
Taylor's Version
Hint: Letting the dough chill for at least one hour will deepen the chai flavor and improve the texture.
Recipe Tips
- Don't Overbake: The cookies should look just barely golden around the edges.
- Use Your Favorite Chai: Tazo or Twining's both work great, but any brand with warm spices will do. If the spices are not fine you can blitz them in a small food processor or high powered blender.
- For a Simple Glaze: Adjust the eggnog a spoon at a time until you reach your ideal consistency.
- Cookie Size: If you love a thicker cookie, use a 3-tablespoon scoop and bake for about 9-10 minutes (truthfully, this is my preferred method for this recipe).
If you love chai flavors, pair these cookies with our Pumpkin Chai Latte.
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Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked dough, wrapped well in plastic wrap and in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. If your cookies are baked, keep them unglazed (for best results) and wrapped well then placed in a container for 3 months; thaw and glaze before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm Drinks: Crockpot Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Mocha or Caramel Mocha.
- Cookies: Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, Sugar Cookie Cups, Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe and Smores Cookies.
Taylor Swift Chai Cookies Recipe FAQs
Yes, use 1-1½ teaspoons of chai spice blend instead of a tea bag.
Absolutely, replace it with milk or cream for a year-round version.
Yes! Chill the dough for up to 48 hours before baking.
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Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
COOKIES:
- 250 grams all-purpose flour about 2 cups
- 2 bags chai tea cut open and leaves removed
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 stick butter unsalted and room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 100 grams granulated sugar about ½ cup
- 60 grams icing sugar about ½ cup
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
FOR ROLLING:
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
GLAZE:
- 180 grams icing sugar 1 ½ cups, sifted
- 2 tablespoon eggnog or as needed
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, chai tea bag contents, baking soda and salt, then set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, for 1 minute beat butter on medium low. Run again with vegetable oil, granulated sugar and powdered sugar just until combined; you want it to have pieces of butter still intact.
- Add egg and vanilla extract then mix for about 20-30 seconds to combine.
- Transfer dry ingredients to the stand mixer and run on low to incorporate together.
- Chill dough in the fridge for an hour; the longer the dough chills, the more flavorful it will be.
- Preheat oven to 350F when ready to bake. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Drop 1 ½ tablespoons of dough on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on tops of cookies and sprinkle with sugar (I like to add a little sugar to the top then flatten with a ¼ cup measuring cup, and then sugar again- that helps it to not stick)
- Bake about 8 minutes or until edges start to turn golden. Cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
- Make your glaze by whisking icing sugar, eggnog, nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of icing onto centre of cookies, and enjoy!
Notes
- Let it Chill: Letting the dough chill for at least one hour will deepen the chai flavor and improve the texture.
- Don't Overbake: The cookies should look just barely golden around the edges.
- Use Your Favorite Chai: Tazo or Twining's both work great, but any brand with warm spices will do. If the spices are not fine you can blitz them in a food processor or high powered blender.
- For a Simple Glaze: Adjust the eggnog a spoon at a time until you reach your ideal consistency.
- Cookie Size: If you love a thicker cookie, use a 3-tablespoon scoop and bake for about 9-10 minutes (truthfully, this is my preferred method for this recipe).
Nutrition
I'd be so grateful if you left a rating and review after trying this recipe, it helps me and helps other readers discover it!
I really loved making these cookies. Not only were they easy to make but they were oh so delicious! 😋
So glad to you hear you enjoyed them as much as we do! Thanks for the review.
I can see why these went viral! Tender cookies with warm chai spices and sweet frosting make them feel extra special, love the Taylor Swift inspiration too.
Thank you so much.
These are so good! If you like chai and you like sugar cookies, you are going to love these!
Thank you so much, Leanne for the testimonial! We love these too.
I loved this flavor! Huge Fan!
Me too, they are one of my favorites! Thanks for the review, Misty- glad you loved them!
MY daughter and I made these this weekend. I see why Taylor loves them! They are so good!
Hehe, such a good one! 🙂 Happy you enjoyed them!
Love any excuse to toss chai into a baked good! These cookies were perfectly spiced and had the perfect chewy texture that I love.
It is such a great cookie, we really love them too. Thank you so much for your review- happy you enjoyed it!
My daughter is a Swiftie, and I can’t wait to make these cookies and surprise her on her birthday!
I think she will love them! Have a great time baking!
I made these for my niece, and I am officially the best aunt in the world! Thank you for a great recipe!
Aweeee, I love hearing that. Such a great one for all the Swifties and non! 🙂
These cookies are the best cookies I’ve ever had. They are amazing.
Thank you, Joanne! They are a top contender over here too.
These cookies sound amazing! I love the cozy chai spices and the eggnog frosting, warm twist on a sugar cookie. Saving this viral recipe!
I hope you enjoy them!
These cookies are truly amazing, from the perfectly spiced flavor to the chewy melt in your mouth texture. They’re in my top favorites now, would definitely recommend!
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. I think they are my favorite too! 🙂
These cookies are one of the best textures I have ever experienced. The flavor is awesome as well. New fav!