• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking On The Weekends
  • About Valentina
    • Press
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • "How To"
  • Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Valentina
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Collaborate
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Valentina
      • Contact
    • Recipe Index
    • Collaborate
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Desserts » Cookies, Bars & Brownies » Chai Chocolate Chunk Cookies

    Chai Chocolate Chunk Cookies

    Apr 16, 2022 · by Valentina · 8 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Chai Cookies with Chocolate Chunks will warm your heart and soothe your soul. Warming chai spices and melting chocolate make this one of the best exotic cookie recipes ever.

    Small white espresso mugh holding 3 chai cookies with cinnamon sticks and green cardamom pods.

    These Chai Spice Cookies are near and dear to my heart.

    Once upon a time, they almost had me starting a cookie brand, which was going to be called ValenTEAna & Co. Cute, right? I got a little sidetracked with other delicious ideas like Cooking On The Weekends, but I might come back to it one day.

    I fell in love with the idea of making cookies with tea -- or tea flavors -- as an ingredient.

    These chai cookies are without a doubt my favorite cookie recipe I've ever created. The warm flavors, the soft texture, the melting chocolate . . . . it's all so dreamy.

    The Ingredients

    Tea kettle shaped white dish with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and black pepper.

    Above: From top left . . . ground black peppercorns, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.

    • ground cardamom
    • ground cinnamon
    • ground cloves
    • ground ginger
    • black pepper - Preferably freshly ground. And don't be thrown this -- if you've ever made Black Pepper Chocolate Chip Cookies, you know exactly how delicious the combination can be.
    • Kosher salt - If you use table salt, use half of the amount listed in the recipe card (below).
    • all-purpose flour
    • baking soda - If you don’t bake regularly, it’s a good idea to check to be sure your baking soda is still good. Pour a couple of tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice over about ¼ teaspoon of the baking soda. If it starts to fizz, it’s still good.
    • unsalted butter
    • granulated sugar
    • light brown sugar
    • pure vanilla extract - I like this one.
    • heavy cream
    • dark molassas - This adds somewhat of a sweet burnt caramel flavor that is fantastic with the chai spices.
    • egg
    • milk chocolate

    Substitutions and Variations

    • I use milk chocolate in this recipe. I have tested it with both semisweet and dark chocolate, and find that the milk chocolate doesn't compete as much with the flavors of the spices, but this is your call, and whatever you choose, they'll be incredibly delicious.
    • If you want to make the cookies with raisins, I would definitely use this method, adding all of the spices to the butter, along with the cinnamon. (This will make sense when you look at the method.)
    • Gluten-free version. I’ve tested this recipe using Cup4Cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, and it works well.

    Recipe Tips

    • You can use whole or ground spices. If you choose to grind whole spices, I suggest using an electric spice grinder, rather than a mortar and pestle. We want the spices as fine as possible. (Of course, pre-ground will save time.)
    • The baking time is about 9 minutes. When you take them out of the oven, you want them to be only slightly crisp on the edges and almost doughy looking in the very center, as they will firm up a bit as they cool. (They will still be good if they're baked a bit past this point, but I prefer the texture this way.)
    • You can reuse the parchment paper after each batch is baked. No need to keep using new sheets. (Do this with any cookies you're making.)
    • I use a 1¼ inch cookie scoop for these cookies, but feel free to make them any size you like.

    How to Make Them

    See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

    - Combine the chai spices in a small bowl and chop the chocolate.

    Mix the flour and baking soda with the chai spices and salt.

    - Then combine the softened butter with the sugars, vanilla, molasses, and cream. Gradually blend in the egg.

    - Add the dry mixture and stir only until it's incorporated. Then fold in the chocolate chunks.

    - Use a cookie scoop (approximately 1¼-inch) to shape the dough into balls, placing them on the parchment-lined baking sheets as you go. (They can be close together.)

    Top view of ball of chai chocolate chip cookie batter, shaped into a ball, on parchment paper.

    - Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the dough is firm, at least 1 hour.

    - While the dough is in the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 350° F.Place 9 to 12 of the shaped cookie dough balls on another parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes in a 350° F oven, just until the dough has solidified.

    - Carefully remove the baked cookies with a metal spatula and place them on a cooling rack. Repeat this process until all of the cookies are baked.

    Top view of a few Chai cookies with whole cloves on top.

    What is Chai?

    • Chai is the generic word for tea in Hindi, the main language of India. Chai is derived from the Chinese word for tea, which is Cha.
    • Chai is a mix of spices steeped into a tea-like beverage, and recipes for it can vary greatly.
    • Traditional ingredients for Chai usually include black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black peppercorns.
    • The tea is typically brewed strong, and has milk and sugar or honey added to it.

    There's no black tea in my Chai Spice Cookies -- just the alluring, exotic spices -- and chocolate.

    What do Chai Spice Cookies taste like?

    Fiery and sweet at the same time, this incredibly flavorful chai spice blend makes for a delicious and calming (yes, calming), cookie-eating experience.

    While the individual flavors of the spices can be detected, it's the overall flavor of the blend that's so wonderful.

    Imagine a chai tea latte with a bit of melting chocolate -- in cookie form.

    They'll warm your heart and soothe your soul. Try them and see.

    stack of 5 Chai Cookies on beige mesh cloth with connamon sticks.

    More Unique and Exotic Cookie Recipes

    • Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
    • Hatch Chile Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut
    • Pistachio Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Creamy Coffee Chocolate Cookies
    • Chestnut Cookies with Chocolate

    How to Store Them

    • Once they're completely cooled, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you don’t plan to serve them within the first couple days after baking them, you can freeze them.
    • They can be kept frozen in an air-tight container for up to a month. (Longer is okay, but the longer they’re frozen, the more moisture they’ll loose.)

    I hope you enjoy every last crumb, and that my Chai Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies become a favorite for you too.

    Small white espresso mugh holding 3 chai cookies with cinnamon sticks and green cardamom pods.

    Chai Cookies Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    Chai Cookies with chocolate chunks might just warm your heart and soothe your soul. Warming spices and melting chocolate fill a delicious soft, buttery cookie.
    Makes about 5 dozen
    5 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 9 minutes mins
    Refrigeration 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 29 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30
    Calories 198 kcal

    Equipment

    • sheet pans
    • parchment paper
    • cookie scoop

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon molasses
    • 1 large egg
    • 14 ounces milk chocolate, roughly chopped (or chips)

    Instructions
     

    • Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
    • Make chai spice mix. Combine the chai spices in a small bowl and chop the chocolate. Set these aside, too.
    • Make batter. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and baking soda with the chai spices and salt.
      In a slightly larger mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the sugars, vanilla, molasses, and cream. Then, gradually blend in the egg.
      Add the flour mixture and stir only until the flour is incorporated. Then fold in the chocolate chunks.
    • Shape and refrigerate. Use an (approximately 1¼ inch) cookie scoop to shape the dough into balls, placing each one on the parchment-lined baking sheets as you go. (At this point, the balls can be very close together.) Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the dough is firm, at least 1 hour.
    • While the dough is in the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 350° F.
    • Bake and cool. Place 9 to 12 of the shaped cookie dough balls on another parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, just until the dough has solidified. It will still look a bit doughy -- which is perfect!
      Carefully remove the baked cookies with a metal spatula and place them on a cooling rack. Repeat this process until all of the cookies are baked.

    NOTES

    Calorie count is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 198kcal
    Keywords cookies with spices, exotic cookie recipes, recipes with chai
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

    More Cookies, Bars & Brownies

    • Stack on Lemon Blueberry cookies with one on top broken in half.
      Lemon Blueberry Cookies with White Chocolate
    • Stack of 5 cinnamon raisin cookies with cinnamon sticks around them.
      The Best Cinnamon Raisin Cookie
    • 2 Gluten-Free Coconut Flour Brownies on parchment paper
      Best Gluten-Free Brownies (with Coconut Flour)
    • Several Meyer Lemon Crinkle Cookies surrounded by lemons.
      Meyer Lemon Crinkle Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angiesrecipes

      April 16, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      Love spiced cookies! These look fantastic, Valentina.

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 26, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Thanks, Angie! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    2. Marissa

      April 19, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies have a wonderful flavor profile, Valentina! I love chocolate and cinnamon, so why not chocolate and chai spice for even more depth. And, yes, ValenTEAna & Co. is an adorable name! But selfishly, I'm glad you're here instead.

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 26, 2022 at 3:48 pm

        So sweet, Marissa. Thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    3. John / Kitchen Riffs

      April 20, 2022 at 7:59 am

      Black pepper and chocolate is a magical combo. And speaking of magical, these cookies look enchanted! Such an interesting flavor. You definitely need to start your own cookie brand. 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 26, 2022 at 4:38 pm

        You're very kind, John. Thank you and I'm happy to hear you're into the pepper+chocolate combination, like me. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      April 25, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      I love those cookies that are fiery and sweet, and these look EPIC! I'm a huge fan of spiced cookies, particularly, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, so these are definitely for me 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 26, 2022 at 4:38 pm

        Hi Ben! Thank you so much. I do love the fiery+sweet! Happy you do too. Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

    More about me →

    Seasonal Pumpkin Recipes

    • Several Pumpkin Almond Flour cookies in a white ceramic box on wood surface.
      Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies for Halloween and Thanksgiving
    • close up of a slice of pumpkin pie
      Pecan Crusted Caramel Pumpkin Pie
    • One serving of Pumpkin Braised Short Ribs on a bed of polenta with pumplin in background
      Pumpkin Braised Short Ribs
    • Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage mixed into Pappardelle in a blue and white bowl
      Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Sage and Sausage

    Fall Apple Recipes

    • Top view of Chai Apple BundtCake with apple slices in the middle on red and green cloths
      Chai Cake with Apples
    • Chopped Chicken-Apple Salad Recipe with Creamy Roasted Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette -- This main course, chopped salad is full of sweet, savory and spicy flavors that you will definitely keep coming back for more of.
      Apple Cranberry Salad with Chicken
    • Brie cheese melted on bread with apples slices and a fresh thyme sprig
      Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese Melt
    • Close up of baked apple muffin in cupcake liner on parchment paper.
      Spiced Apple Butter Muffins

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Press

    Newsletter

    Get new recipes you’ll love!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    Review the privacy policy for Cooking on the Weekends

    Copyright © 2023 Cooking On The Weekends, All Rights Reserved