Chai Spiced Shortbread Cookies

I got a jar with the dry mixture of this cookies, along with the instructions, as a favor at one of my friend's baby shower. I thought it was such a thoughtful favor and it made amazing cookies! It has the flavor of Indian masala tea. I actually shared the cookies with a few of my neighbors and since, they have always asked me to make more. My son also loves these cookies and calls them ginger cookies for some reason.

 
This recipe makes 8 to 10 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground clove
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 bag chai tea leaves, (if the leaves are large in size, crush them to make them finer)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, but still cool (or margarine, for vegan/dairy free version)
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined. 
3. Remove one teaspoon of the mixture and, in a small separate bowl, stir it into the 2 tablespoons of sugar; set aside.
4. In a medium bowl combine the remaining chai spice mix (and chai tea, if using) with the flour and salt; set aside.
5. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until light and fluffy. 
6. Add the flour mixture and beat until the dough resembles wet sand, don’t over beat. 
7. Using your hands, press the dough together to form a ball then press into a shortbread pan, or shape into several 1- to 1 1/2-inch balls. After making the balls, press them down to flatten them slightly after placing them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. 
8. Press the chai sugar mixture onto the top of the dough (I usually reserve half of it to sprinkle on the cookies once I take them from the pan, but you can use as much or as little as you like). 
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top feels firm and the edges are golden.