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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
