Chai Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches (Printable)
Buttery chai-spiced shortbread cookies with creamy filling, ideal for tea time.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Shortbread Cookies
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
03 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
09 - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
10 - 1/4 tsp ground allspice
11 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ For the Chai-Spiced Filling
12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
13 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
16 - 1/4 tsp ground ginger
17 - 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
18 - 1/8 tsp ground cloves
19 - 1-2 tsp milk (as needed for consistency)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, allspice, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
04 - Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 2-inch round cutter and place 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
06 - Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool completely on wire rack.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and spices. Add milk 1 tsp at a time until thick but spreadable.
08 - Spread or pipe 1-2 tsp filling onto bottom of one cookie and top with another. Repeat until all cookies are assembled.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spiced buttercream somehow makes the shortbread taste even more buttery and rich
- They're unexpected yet familiar, the kind of cookie people reach for seconds of without thinking
02 -
- Warm cookies will melt your filling right off, so patience during cooling is non-negotiable
- If your dough feels too sticky to roll, chill it for 15 minutes but don't let it get cold or the cookies won't bake properly
03 -
- Grind your spices fresh if possible—pre-ground cardamom especially loses its magic faster than you'd think
- For a more pronounced chai flavor, add 1 teaspoon of finely ground black tea to the dry ingredients