• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • New Magazine!
  • Bread
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans

Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies

November 4, 2021 by Joy the Baker 46 Comments

Jump to Recipe

. Taylor Swift cookie recipe glazed and stacked on a blue board.

Every fall for the last few years my blog lights up with new visitors. New visitors who have come to my blog is search of THE Taylor Swift Chai Cookies. We all know our dear Taylor loves to bake, loves cats, she seems to be a cozy, flannel wearing, autumn loving gal… I mean, it absolutely makes sense that she pop by Joy the Baker for this VERY vintage Giant Vanilla Sugar Cookies.

Taylor Swift took that old 2009 sugar cookie recipe, mentioned adding chai spices and an eggnog glaze, and because she’s Taylor Swift – set the internet ablaze.  Good on ya, girl! You’re doing it right, and your baking has so many people searching for the perfect sugar and spice cookie.

Apparently if you live like Taylor Swift for a week you must make a batch of these cookies.  I mean… I knew those Giant Vanilla Sugar Cookies were perfectly chewy and tender, but I finally took our friend Tay’s advice and spiced them up just right.

Ingredients for Taylor Swift cookie recipe in small bowls for baking.

Here’s what you’ll need for  Taylor Swift Chai Cookies:

•  softened unsalted butter and a neutral oil.  We’ll use a mix of fats to bring together this soft and tender cookie.

•  granulated sugar and powdered sugar.  The powdered sugar will help absorb some of the moisture from the oil and make the cookies tender and chewy.

•  all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.

•  chai spices: ground ginger, ground cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, cloves, and a pinch of black pepper.

•  an egg for binding

•  vanilla extract

•  powdered sugar for the glaze

•  a hint of nutmeg

•  milk or eggnog to create a glaze

Butter and sugar in a glass bowl.

First, whip the butter alone in a bowl just to ensure it’s softened super well.

Beat in the oil as best you can.  The oil may not fully incorporate into the butter and that’s ok.  Just get it all in the bowl.

Spices and oil in a bowl for cookie dough.

Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar and spices to the bowl with butter and oil.

I like to add the spices to the sugar and fat for this Taylor Swift cookie recipe because the fat helps distribute the warm spice flavors really well.  Fat always helps flavor.

Eggs and vanilla extract for this Taylor Swift cookie recipe.
Dry ingredients added to cookie dough.


Add the egg and vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients.  Set aside the hand mixer and stir in the flour into the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Soft chai cookie dough in a bowl for chilling.

The batter will feel soft – somewhere between a cookie dough and a cake batter.

Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to allow the flour to absorb the moisture and the butter to rechill.

Dough ball portions on a parchment lined baking sheet to be baked

Once chilled, scoop the dough into two tablespoon portions.  I use a cookie scoop then shape the dough into thick disks.

Coat each cookie dough round in cinnamon sugar before placing a few inches apart on a parchment lined baking pan.

Glaze in a bowl while cookies cool on wire rack.

While the cookies bake, whisk together an easy glaze with powdered sugar, milk (or better yet, eggnog) and extra ground nutmeg.

Taylor Swift cookie recipe scattered on a board with tea.

Spoon a teaspoon of glaze into the center of each cookie and sprinkle with nutmeg and allow to set.

Taylor is on to something. These are the sweetest fall cookies. Soft and tender for days!

Serve with chai tea? Too much?  More is just enough.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Glazed cookies in rows on a wire rack.

Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies

★★★★★ 4.9 from 18 reviews
  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minues
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: about 2 dozen cookies 1x
  • Category: dessert
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Description

A perfect Autumn cookie with chai spices and extra nutmeg inspired by Taylor Swift.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (I like canola or sunflower oil)
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch of fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean pod
  • 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Cinnamon sugar for rolling

For the Glaze:

  • 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for sprinkling the top of the cookies
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk or eggnog

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed for about 1 minute.  Add the vegetable oil.  It may not fully incorporate with the butter, but that’s ok.  Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and all of the spices. Beat to combine.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla, beating on medium speed until completely incorporated.
  4. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt all at once using a wooden spoon or the mixer set on low.
  5. The dough will be soft. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or freeze for 15 minutes just so it’s easier to handle.
  6. For large cookies, dollop 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  For smaller cookies use 1 Tablespoon for each cookie.  Press the dough evenly with your fingers or palm to 1/4-inch thickness.  Roll each cookie dough in a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.
  7. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes for larger cookies or 8 to 10 minutes for smaller cookies.  Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely.
  8. In a medium bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients to thick but spreadable. Spread each cooled cookie with graze just over the center, leaving the edges of the cookie free of glaze. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh nutmeg if you have it. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Photos with my friend Jon Melendez!

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Cookies, Holiday, Recipes, Winter Baking

Previous Post: « Smothered Chicken Dinner
Next Post: The 10 Best Things To Bake This November »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim

    February 19, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for a while and finally made during a snowstorm this week. It seemed fitting. They are so warm and comforting. And the icing made them feel like a real dessert rather than a snack, which is how I normally think of cookies. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Melanie

    January 26, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    These are so deceivingly delicious!! The gentle whisper of chai is so warm and inviting. I didn’t even make the glaze yet and I’m sold on these cookies! Thanks for a very cool twist on the sugar cookie??

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Dennie

    December 27, 2021 at 7:04 am

    I have made a number of GF sugar cookies and they have all come out tasty and easy roll out. I have used ready made flour blends and homemade blends. I will try with this spice combination of this recipe and I am sure they will come out great

    Reply
« Older Comments
Comments Page 3 of 3
« Previous 1 2 3

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

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

RELATED POSTS IN Cookies

sliced chocolate and peanut butter brownies
How To Make Box Brownies Better

I hope we’ve built enough trust between us for you to believe what I’m about to tell you. It’s a secret that professional bakers have been keeping from you for too long.  The truth is BOX BROWNIES ARE BETTER THAN BROWNIES MADE FROM SCRATCH.  I know… criminal, really but facts are facts.  I think it’s…

Read More

Strawberry white chocolate chai sugar cookies on a cooling rack.
Taylor Swift’s Strawberry White Chocolate Chai Sugar Cookies

We’ve made MANY A COOKIE here on Joy the Baker over the years and the problem is, each cookie I make is my new pride and joy. But you’re the real decider around here.  Well… you and the search engine god Google.  While my latest Moon Pie Bars (and all their gooey marshmallow) might be…

Read More

Lemon curd sandwich cookies on a board with dusting powdered sugar.
Lemon Curd Easter Egg Sandwich Cookies

Spring has sprung here in New Orleans as evidenced by the number of weeds that emerged overnight in my backyard.  This time of year has my fickle green thumb ready to tuck colorful annuals into pots and lovingly care for them until the summer months hit and the heat kills us all.  I think I’m…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Jump to Recipe

Joy the baker with dyed bandana around neck

HOW TO MAKE DYED BANDANAS

as seen in JtB Magazine!

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

Jump to Recipe

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

FAVORITE FRUIT RECIPES

fresh baked blueberry cobbler on a plate with vanilla ice cream on top.

The Secrets To My Favorite Blueberry Cobbler

Strawberry pie filling inside of unbaked crust with crumble top.

My Best Strawberry Crumble Pie Recipe

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

POPULAR CAKES

Slice of coconut cake on small white plate with coffee.

My favorite Coconut Cake is actually made with cake mix

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

Slice of Chocolate Guinness Cake on a small pink plate

Chocolate Guinness Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

My boyfriend Will couldn’t believe that everyone My boyfriend Will couldn’t believe that everyone responded with a resounding YES ABSOLUTELY to their invitation to our barbecue this Saturday.  Of course everyone is coming. There’s a sunny pool and more ribs, potato salad, and coconut cake than I care to admit. ⁣
⁣
Since I can’t invite ALL of you, you’ll have to make this perfect Coconut Sheet Cake (made with cake mix, amen) for your holiday party.  I’ll leave the new recipe linked in the profile. ⁣
⁣
It’s officially the weekend starting now, right? xo
Please accept a collection of moderately unhinged Please accept a collection of moderately unhinged selfies on this, my 41st birthday. ⁣
⁣
Themes include: animals, pickles?, Mardi Gras fried chicken, beach camping, and ‘why am I the way that I am?’.
Is it even cobbler if you don’t smash it all tog Is it even cobbler if you don’t smash it all together with ice cream and eat it for breakfast?⁣ I didn’t think so. 
⁣
Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler with Cornmeal Biscuits linked in the profile. ⁣
⁣
#cobbler #joythebaker #strawberry #bakersofinstagram
I’m calling it, friends. IT’S SUMMER and to ce I’m calling it, friends. IT’S SUMMER and to celebrate you’re going to need the latest issue of Joy the Baker Magazine. ⁣
⁣
This issue is packed with road-trip inspiration, summer’s best burgers, backyard margaritas, no-churn ice cream and cakes that bake without an oven. ⁣
⁣
We get crafty, we get campy, there’s so much ice dye… this one’s more than food - it’s our summer bucket list in magazine form. ⁣
⁣
Pick up your copy wherever magazines are sold across the US and Canada or buy a copy online using the link in my profile. ⁣(🙌 free shipping!) 
⁣
Also, look at this cover shot by @emferretti! The whole magazine is that mouthwatering. 👏☀️🍓
I spent part of this fine weekend cleaning this ve I spent part of this fine weekend cleaning this very hardworking pantry. It’ll never be rainbow organized or picture perfect but I’ll tell ya, a few sets of @rubbermaid containers, @ballcanning jars and brown packing tape with a @sharpie marker make this a high functioning space for recipe testing and life living. 
⁣
Swipe to see my supervisor 🦁 inspecting my work. ⁣
⁣
#organized #pantryorganization #joythebaker #weekendwork
Not gonna lie, peanut butter was my main food grou Not gonna lie, peanut butter was my main food group this week - either smeared on fruit or baked as cookies. ⁣
⁣
If you feel me on this, my top 10 peanut butter recipes will serve you well. 👏 Find the link in the bio, like we do. ⁣
⁣
#peanutbutter #cookies #cobbler #joythebaker
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up