Creamy Chai Sugar Cookies

Sometimes there are special occasions that call for a special treat. I'd call buying our first grown-up couch and letting our trusty hand-me-down graduate to the basement a special occasion. I wanted to make a little dessert to spice up our first night of eating dinner and watching TV on our new couch. We can't technically use the dining room to eat anything right now because it is occupied by our old couch...that we are too lazy to fully move down to the basement just yet. I have good motivation to do it by this weekend though because I am getting a visit from my favorite sister, Katie and her hubby-to-be. Mark and I have prepared a series of activities ranging from physical challenges, mind games, and feats of strength designed to test their resolve and readiness for marriage. First up...moving our old couch to the basement! Then painting the ceiling in our kitchen, then... Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't say too much or else they will cancel their trip. Suffice to say, I am excited to them and I will let them eat some of these cookies as a break in between tasks. Since I didn't mention anything about the cookies, let me just say that they are sensational and the best part is that you don't need the stand mixer to make them. Creamy and smooth from the addition of cream cheese and then some heat from the spices, this cookie reminds you of a chai latte in all the right ways. Amazing.
Creamy Chai Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. five spice powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 Tbs. cream cheese
6 Tbs. butter
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl. If you don't happen to have 5-spice powder, substitute additional cinnamon and nutmeg and add cloves, allspice, or whatever other spices you like.
2. Melt butter and allow to cool slightly.
3. Add sugar and cream cheese to a large bowl. Add the cream cheese is pieces so that it will combine evenly.
4. Pour the melted butter over the sugar and cream cheese and whisk together until smooth.
5. Add the milk, vanilla, oil, and egg and continue to whisk until smooth.
6. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined and smooth. You do not want to over mix.7. Put 1/4 cup of sugar on a plate and roll balls of dough in the sugar.
8. Set the rolled cookies dough balls on a baking tray lined with Silpat or parchment paper and sprinkle some more sugar on top.9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes until the edges of the cookies just begin to brown ever so slightly.10. Cool on a baking rack.Enjoy!

One Year Ago: Ginger Coconut Rice Pudding