Taylor Swift Chai Cookies Recipe – Best Holiday Treat

Posted on November 17, 2025

Taylor Swift Chai Cookies - featured image

Confession time: I’ve probably listened to Taylor Swift’s “Evermore” album a hundred times while baking these cookies. There’s something about chai spices, warm ovens, and her cozy lyrics that just feels like the holidays. And when I heard Taylor herself gifted chai cookies to friends during her “Red” era, I knew I had to recreate them—with my own twist, of course.

These Cozy Taylor Swift Chai Cookies have become a holiday tradition in my house. They’re soft, buttery, and infused with the warm spices you’d find in a cup of chai tea—cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves. Oh, and the icing? It’s a brown sugar glaze that takes them to a whole new level. They’re the kind of cookies you bake when you want your kitchen to smell like heaven and your taste buds to do a happy dance.

Whether you’re a Swiftie or just someone who loves cozy cookies, this recipe is for you. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Okay, let me just say—this recipe is pure magic. Here’s why:

Inspired by Taylor herself: Yes, Taylor Swift gifted chai cookies to friends. These are my homage to her version, with a little extra holiday flair.
Perfectly spiced: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves turns these cookies into pure cozy goodness.
Soft and buttery: The texture is melt-in-your-mouth soft, with just the right amount of chew.
Easy to make: No fancy techniques or equipment needed—just mix, bake, and enjoy. You can whip these up in less than an hour.
That glaze!: The brown sugar icing? Game-changer. It’s sweet, slightly caramel-y, and ties all the flavors together beautifully.

Make these once, and they’ll quickly become your go-to holiday treat. Trust me, your friends and family will be asking for these every year.

What Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about simple ingredients that come together to create something extraordinary. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Cookies:

All-purpose flour (2 ¾ cups / 330g) — A solid base that gives these cookies structure. Don’t substitute with whole wheat—it changes the texture too much.
Baking soda (1 tsp) — Helps the cookies puff up just enough. Make sure it’s fresh!
Salt (½ tsp) — Enhances all the flavors. Don’t skip it.
Unsalted butter (1 cup / 225g, softened) — The key to that rich, buttery texture. Let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes before starting.
Granulated sugar (1 cup / 200g) — Sweetens the cookies and helps with the soft, chewy texture.
Brown sugar (½ cup / 100g) — Adds depth and a hint of caramel flavor.
Eggs (2 large) — For structure and richness. Room temperature eggs mix better.
Vanilla extract (2 tsp) — Use a good-quality vanilla for the best flavor. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Ground cinnamon (1 tsp) — The star spice that screams chai.
Ground cardamom (½ tsp) — Adds a sweet and floral note. Don’t skip it—it’s what makes these cookies special.
Ground nutmeg (½ tsp) — For warmth and holiday vibes.
Ground cloves (¼ tsp) — A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.

For the Brown Sugar Glaze:

Brown sugar (¼ cup / 50g) — The base of the glaze. Use light brown sugar for a smoother finish.
Unsalted butter (2 tbsp / 28g) — Makes the glaze rich and glossy.
Milk (2 tbsp / 30ml) — I use whole milk, but any milk works.
Powdered sugar (½ cup / 60g) — To thicken the glaze and add sweetness.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp) — Ties all the flavors together.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need a fancy setup to make these cookies. Here’s what I use:

Mixing bowls — One for wet ingredients, one for dry. Saves time and cleanup.
Hand mixer or stand mixer — Either works, but a stand mixer makes life easier.
Baking sheets — I use two to bake all the cookies at once.
Parchment paper — Keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Measuring cups and spoons — Precision matters here, especially in baking.
Spatula — For scraping down the sides of your mixing bowl and spreading the glaze.
Wire cooling rack — Helps the cookies cool evenly without getting soggy bottoms.

How to Make It: Step-by-Step

Let’s get baking! Follow these steps for fail-proof Taylor Swift Chai Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step is key for soft cookies!
Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix—trust me, it makes the cookies tough.
Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and prevents spreading while baking.
Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the milk and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Glaze the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze over the tops. Let it set for 10 minutes before serving (if you can wait that long).

My Best Tips & Techniques

Here’s everything I’ve learned from baking these cookies way too many times:

Don’t skip chilling the dough: It keeps the cookies from spreading too much and helps the flavors deepen.
Use fresh spices: If your cinnamon or nutmeg has been sitting in the pantry for years, it’s time to replace them. Fresh spices make a huge difference.
Blend your own chai spice mix: If you want to go all out, you can mix cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and a bit of ginger for a custom blend.
Adjust the glaze consistency: If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk. Too thin? More powdered sugar.
Double the batch: Trust me, these disappear fast. Make extra and freeze the extras for later.

Ways to Mix It Up

Ready to make these cookies your own? Here are some fun variations to try:

Chocolate Chai Cookies: Add ½ cup cocoa powder and swap the vanilla extract for almond extract.
Nutty Chai Cookies: Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
Spiced Latte Cookies: Add 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients for a coffee-chai hybrid.
Vegan Option: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg).
Gluten-Free Swap: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Maple Glaze: Swap the brown sugar and vanilla in the glaze for pure maple syrup. It’s heavenly.

Serving Ideas & Storage

Here’s how to enjoy and keep your chai cookies fresh:

Serving Suggestions:

With tea: Pair with a hot cup of chai tea for the ultimate cozy experience.
Holiday gift: Wrap them in a cute box or bag for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
Cookie platter: Add these to your holiday dessert spread—they’ll be the first to go!

Storage Tips:

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They stay soft and flavorful!
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature, or pop in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Reheating: Warm them in the microwave or toaster oven for that fresh-baked feel.

Nutritional Info & Health Benefits

Let’s talk numbers. While these are definitely a treat, they’re not outrageously heavy.

Nutritional Info (per cookie)
Calories:	~190
Protein:	2g
Carbs:	27g
Fat:	8g
Fiber:	1g

Why I love them: The spices make these feel indulgent, but they’re not overly sweet or heavy. It’s a cookie you can enjoy with your morning coffee without a sugar crash later.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—Cozy Taylor Swift Chai Cookies. Whether you’re baking them while listening to “All Too Well” or just need a holiday pick-me-up, these cookies will become a staple in your recipe book. They’re comforting, flavorful, and pretty much guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing.

If you try them, let me know how they turn out! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @yourhandle. I can’t wait to see your version.

Happy baking, fellow Swifties! May your cookies be soft, your spices be fresh, and your playlist be full of Taylor classics.

FAQs

Q: Can I use pre-mixed chai spice?

A: Absolutely! Just use 2 teaspoons of your favorite chai mix instead of the individual spices. Adjust to taste if you want it stronger.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?

A: Yes! The dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days ahead. You can also bake the cookies and freeze them—they’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Q: What’s the best substitute for cardamom?

A: If you don’t have cardamom, try a pinch of ground ginger or allspice. It won’t taste exactly the same but will still give that warm, spiced flavor.

Q: My glaze isn’t setting—what went wrong?

A: Usually this happens if the glaze is too thin. Add more powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. Let the cookies cool completely before glazing.

Q: Can I make these into bars instead of cookies?

A: Totally! Spread the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cut into squares and drizzle with glaze.

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