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Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting…this year’s Thanksgiving cookie to snack on! Perfectly sweet chai spice sugar cookies sandwiched with the most delicious maple browned butter frosting. Sugar cookies made better with the addition of holiday spices. Every last bite is loved by all! And the best part? These cookies are so festive and fun to make!

overhead photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

Happy Friday everyone!! I am home (for a quick minute) and SO HAPPY to be here. These have been some busy, busy weeks, but all amazing. I’m definitely feeling so grateful for all of the support you guys have been showing me. Some of you may have seen, but HBH Super Simple made number two on the New York Times Best Seller List!! I am still in disbelief and just SO EXCITED. I know I’ve been saying this a lot, but thank you all for being the absolute best and kindest HBH family.

Just had to shout that out at the top of the post…because as I sit here writing this, it’s all I can think of.

Well, that and these cookies…and wishing I still had some to snack on right now. These cookies plus a warm mug of cocoa/coffee would be an amazing little pick me up. They are sweet and perfectly spiced with the flavor of chai, but in a subtle way that’s not overpowering. And that frosting snuggled in between each cookie?

It’s one of my favorites…warming flavors of maple swirled with nutty browned butter. You can (and most likely will) eat a couple of spoonfuls as your frost each cookie.

overhead photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies before baking

The Story…

When my family lived in Ohio, we would travel to my Aunt Debbie’s house for Thanksgiving every year. She would always have her Turkey Cookies out for snacking before dinner. In full disclosure, I don’t really remember these cookies, but my mom on the other hand? They are her favorite, and she reminds me of them every single year.

I have yet to snatch THE Turkey Cookie recipe, but I’ve made a few of my own spins on them. Last year I shared butter pecan cookies, and this year it’s Chai Sugar Cookies…but done up for Thanksgiving.

overhead photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookie with Browned Butter Frosting resting on top of a mug of chai tea

The Details.

First, let’s start with the cookies themselves. These are not your average sugar cookie. To be honest, sugar cookies are not my favorite. I often find them tasteless and have never understood why you’d eat a sugar cookie over a chocolate chip cookie. Anyone else feel the same?

But then I started making my own sugar cookies. And I gave them more flavor with the use of brown sugar, so much vanilla extract, and salted butter.

And then, in an effort to make them even better, I added the spices found in warming chai tea. I now have a favorite sugar cookie that’s truly so delicious. So much flavor, sweet, but also spiced, balanced, soft, buttery…and just really GOOD. They’re sugar cookies, but better, and all the spices make them perfect for the holidays.

overhead close up photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

And now, the frosting. I really can’t begin to describe how good this frosting is. Not only is it made with nutty browned butter, but it’s made using maple syrup. This is KEY.

The maple gives the frosting a rich flavor while also adding sweetness and warming flavors. I find it pairs so nicely with the chai spiced sugar cookies.

overhead photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

Decorating…

You could simply frost each cookie, but I wanted to make these extra special for Thanksgiving. So I turned them into sandwich cookies and shaped them into the cutest autumn leaves.

And then…just a dip through some white chocolate and an extra sprinkle of chai spiced sugar. Hey, these are holiday cookies, so why not go all out? You know, make every last bite SO GOOD that it leaves you wanting another?

YES. That’s how holiday cookies should be. These are the perfect cookie to serve up this Thanksgiving. Just do as my aunt does, make a triple batch and leave them out for guests to snack on before and after dinner. Everyone will love you for these cookies!

overhead photo of Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookie with Browned Butter Frosting broken in half to expose the filling

If you make these chai spiced maple sugar cookies with browned butter frosting, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 341 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Browned Butter Frosting

Instructions

  • 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until evenly combined. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, all-spice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, beat until combined and the dough forms a ball.
    2. Generously flour your work surface. Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disk. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Make sure you're using enough flour or your dough will stick. Cut out the cookies using your favorite autumn/winter cookie cutter. Carefully transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet and place the sheet in the freezer, freeze until firm, about 15-20 minutes. Roll out the leftover scraps, and repeat with the remaining disk of dough.
    3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven for 8-12 minutes (for soft cookies) or until just lightly golden brown. Do not over bake. Cool on the baking sheet five minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
    4. To make the frosting. Add 1 stick butter to a skillet, set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often. Remove from the heat and transfer the butter to the mixing bowl, let cool until it's room temp.
    6. Add the remaining stick of room temperature butter and the cream cheese to the bowl. Then add the powdered sugar and maple syrup. Beat together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. If the frosting feels too loose, add powdered sugar to thicken.
    7. To assemble. Dip half of the cookies into melted chocolate to coat about 1/3 of the top (see photos) and sprinkle with chai sugar, if desired. Spread the frosting over the cookie halves with no chocolate. Place the top cookie, chocolate side up over the frosting, gently pressing to adhere. Cookies can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Notes

Chai Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon all-spice, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves.
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made these for a friendsgiving and absolutely loved them! The frosting is no joke the best I’ve ever had and was very simple to whip up! I baked mine for about 15 minutes to get a bit more of a crisp to them and was really pleased with the result. They take some time and effort but it’s worth it! (And don’t skip out on the chai sugar topping!! Really ups the flavor and presentation!)

    1. Hi Cal,
      I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your review! Happy Sunday! xT

  2. Hey there, do you have a link to the cookie cutters to make these cute maple leaf sugar cookies? Thank you! Cathy in Michigan

    1. Hi Cathy,
      So sorry, I don’t they are pretty old! I usually get my cookie cutters at Target or Crate and Barrel! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

  3. Hi there! I am hoping to make these in a few days and have a question. I love the look of the chair sugar sprinkled on top! How do you get the chai sugar to stick to the cookie on the parts without white chocolate?

    1. Hi there,
      As long as you sprinkle the sugar while the cookies are warm it should stick nicely for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

    1. Hey Kelly,
      Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!🎄🎁

  4. Hi Tieghan! So excited to make these! I only have unsalted butter on hand. Can I add in salt instead of using salted butter?

    1. Hey Lori,
      Sure, I would just add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Please let me know if you give these cookies a try, I hope you love them! xT

  5. 5 stars
    I made these for Thanksgiving and they are delicious!! They were a big hit! Everyone loved them! I also made half into sandwich cookies and half just dipped in the white chocolate with the chai sugar. It was nice to have 2 choices with these… one being a heavier cookie! Also, the frosting makes a big batch so I just put it in a bowl in case anyone wanted to dip cookies lol!

    1. Hey Brittany,
      Happy Sunday!!⛄️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xxT

  6. 5 stars
    This are absolutely delicious!! I made them for my birthday this week using heart cookie cutters and they turned out so cute. i dipped them all in the white chocolate and made half into sandwiches and kept half as white chocolate dipped with the chai sugar. The white chocolate was so good with them that next time I’ll likely dip the entire top of the cookie in it and sprinkle with the sugar and then serve a little icing on the side for adding to a bite here and there. If you’re thinking about making these this fall just go ahead and do it!

    1. Hey there,
      Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)

  7. Have you tried freezing these already frosted and assembled?? I want to add them to my thanksgiving spread but won’t have time to bake them fresh along with all the other cooking and baking I will be doing

    1. Hey Abby,
      That should be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

  8. Could you freeze this dough ? Or refrigerate for a few days at least before baking ? Wanting to make a big batch for events at 2 different times.

    1. Hey Sara,
      You bet, that would work well for you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan

  9. 5 stars
    After eyeing this recipe for a long time, I finally made it. So so good! The combination of flavors was on point! And the buttery texture sort of melts in your mouth 🙂 I didn’t make the cookie ‘sandwiches’ just iced them individually, made a half batch of the icing and it was plenty for me. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

    1. Hey Sierra,
      That would be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

  10. 5 stars
    These are the best cookies! I made two batches of dough for a cookie exchange and they ended up making about 8 dozen cookies. (Some were made into bite-sized sandwich cookies). The flavor of the cookies can’t be beat. The frosting (one batch of frosting was plenty for me) sends it right over the top. I can’t get over how perfect they are! I will make these every year from now on!

    1. Hey Tiffany,
      Happy Friday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for making it and happy holidays!❄️ xTieghan