Imagine your favourite chai latte transformed into a cookie. Now add a dash of espresso and a hit of rich dark chocolate. That’s exactly what these Dirty Chai Cookies bring to the table—warm spices, a subtle coffee kick, and gooey chocolate in every bite. They’re perfect for cozy evenings, lazy afternoons, or sharing with friends who appreciate a good chai twist (who doesn’t?)

These cookies are simple to make, require just one bowl, and the dough can be made ahead of time (great news for anyone who loves easy prep!). So, if you’re a fan of chai, chocolate, or just need a break from the ordinary, these cookies are calling your name.

🧡 WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Chai heaven! Infused with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, these cookies give you all those classic chai flavours with every single bite. They’re cozy, aromatic, and so satisfying.

With a simple dough that chills well, these cookies are ideal for making ahead. Plus, they’re great for gifting or sharing with friends over coffee.

Minimal cleanup? Yes, please! All you need is one bowl and a few ingredients to whip these up.

🔪 KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Large mixing bowl
Electric mixer
Small microwave-safe bowl (for melting chocolate)
Whisk or spoon
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Cooling rack

🥚 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED

Here’s what you’ll need to bring these Dirty Chai Cookies to life:

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adds a rich, chocolatey flavour. Melt a few tablespoons for that chocolatey base, and save the rest to fold into the dough.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter helps create that perfect chewy texture.
Brown sugar & granulated sugar: The mix of sugars keeps the cookies chewy.
Egg yolk: Gives richness to the dough. Since this recipe uses just the yolk, feel free to double the recipe or save the egg white for another use.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a hint of chocolate flavour, complementing the espresso and spices.
Instant coffee powder: Enhances the espresso flavour, perfect for that “dirty chai”.
Chai tea bag: Use the loose chai leaves from one tea bag. They are typically fine leaves but if you want them even finer, feel free to grind it in a spice grinder.
Sea salt (optional): Adds a touch of contrast that makes the chocolate flavours pop!

*These are the main ingredients. The full list of ingredients and measurements can be found at the bottom of this post!*

What Makes Chai So Special?

Traditionally, chai is a blend of black tea with warm spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Each spice brings its own unique note, creating a beautifully aromatic and balanced mix of sweetness, warmth, and a hint of spice. It’s cozy and comfortable all at once—no wonder it’s beloved around the world!

In these Dirty Chai Cookies, chai spices give the cookies their signature warmth, pairing perfectly with the dark chocolate and espresso.

📝 HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

1. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix for about 1–2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.

3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt about 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips in 30-second intervals until smooth. Add the melted chocolate to the butter mixture, stirring until smooth and chocolatey.

4. Add the instant coffee powder, salt, and the chai leaves from one tea bag. These flavors bring all the chai goodness to the cookies.

5. Sift in the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking soda. Mix until everything is fully incorporated, but avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

6. Gently fold in the remaining chocolate chips. Reserve a few for pressing onto the cookie dough balls if you want that bakery-style look.

7. Scoop about 1.5–2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, rolling it into a ball. Optionally, press a few chocolate chips on top of each dough ball for extra chocolatey goodness. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This step helps the cookies hold their shape and develop that rich flavor.

8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chilled dough balls on a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

9. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the cookies have crackly tops and the centers are set. The edges should be slightly crispy, while the centers stay soft.

10. While still warm, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each cookie for a touch of contrast.

11. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Or dig in while they’re still warm and gooey!

☝🏻 Tips and tricks

Freezing Dough for Later: Want fresh-baked cookies anytime? Freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re craving a cookie, bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Adjust the Spice Levels: Customize your chai flavour by adjusting the spices to suit your taste. For a stronger coffee flavour, add an extra pinch of instant coffee powder. More of a chai fan? Increase the ground cardamom or cinnamon for a spicier kick.
High-Quality Chocolate for Best Flavour: The chocolate is a major player here, so opt for high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
Achieve that Perfect Crackly Top: Chill the dough balls before baking to help create those signature cracks and a slightly chewy center. This trick also helps the cookies maintain their shape in the oven.

Can I make these cookies caffeine-free?

Yes! If you prefer to skip the caffeine, simply omit the instant coffee powder. You’ll still get all the delicious chai spice and chocolate flavors without the espresso kick.

What if I don’t have chai tea bags?

If you don’t have a chai tea bag, you can create a similar flavor by adding a mix of ground cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and a tiny pinch of black pepper. Just adjust to taste until it’s as chai-like as you like!

How do I get that crackly top?

The crackly top comes from the sugar and melted chocolate mixture. Make sure your dough is well-chilled before baking, as this also helps create those lovely cracks as the cookies bake.

And there you have it—Dirty Chai Cookies that combine everything wonderful about chai spices, dark chocolate, and espresso. These cookies are perfect for those chilly days when you need something warm and indulgent. Brew a cup of tea (or coffee!), grab a cookie, and let these cozy flavors wrap you up.

Happy baking!

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Dirty Chai Cookies