This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

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
View Recipe Comments

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

Add a Comment

Recipe Rating




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

Comments

  1. Recently I’ve become a Half Baked Harvest fanatic, with this being my fourth recipe this week. I don’t think I’ve ever been that enthusiastic about a food blog before, and I’m a serial recipe tryer so that’s got to say something. These delicious cookies are the latest recipe I’ve tried and they are absolutely amazing. Hands down a new fall and winter favourite.

  2. 5 stars
    Just made these and HOLY COW! What a perfect recipe to get in the fall spirit!! I love the chai sugar and the frosting is incredibly yummy. The texture of the cookie is lovely. I had some leftover dough and I’m thinking I’m gonna try to do individual cookies with the frosting on top, sprinkled with sugar! Thank you thank you!

    1. Hi Ruhi,
      Yes you could do that! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  3. 5 stars
    These cookies are…WOW! The icing is so yummy, and the cookie itself has just the right amount of spice. They’re labor-intensive but well worth the time. I’ll be adding these to my fall/winter/Christmas repertoire! Thanks, Tieghan!

  4. 5 stars
    We added this recipe to our Christmas EVe cookie party and it was a huge hit! It will be permanent recipe!
    The icing is a must – best icing ever!

    I am so thank you for your great website! Wonderful pictures, layout and RECIPES.

  5. 5 stars
    These cookies are amazing! I made a variety of cookies for Christmas and these were by far everyone’s favorite. They were especially good in the morning when dunking into a cup of coffee or tea. Already looking forward to making them again next year.

  6. 5 stars
    I made these for my office’s cookie competition and they won by a landslide! The frosting really is other worldly delicious. Thanks for the win, Tieghan!

  7. 5 stars
    I made these last week for Friendsgiving and they were a hit (even though everyone was stuffed and barely had room for dessert)! I also gave some to a few people at work who wanted to know if I’d bring more in soon, and my sister has requested these cookies for our Christmas meal 🙂 I will make them both ways, and I also plan to try them with a maple glaze for those that don’t like cream cheese. They are so good and simple to make!

  8. 5 stars
    These cookies are amazing! Just made them today to take to my sisters for Thanksgiving. The frosting is SO SO good and unlike any I’ve tried! Thank you for this recipe!

    1. Hi Lynsey! Yes, you can make the dough ahead and keep in the fridge or freezer. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan

    1. Hi Lynsey! Yes, you can make the dough ahead and keep in the fridge or freezer. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan

  9. I’m so excited to make these next week. Could I make the cookie dough the day before rolling it out and baking? I’m just trying to figure out my cooking schedule. Would the dough be okay after a night of refrigeration? Thanks!

    1. Hi Kristen! Yes, you cake make the dough up to 3 days ahead of time. That works very well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan

    1. HI Candace! You can freeze the cookies after baking, but I would add the frosting once you have thawed the cookies. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan