Chai Spice Cookie Bars

Ingredients

BARS

• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened
• 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 large Egg
• 1 large Egg Yolk
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tbsp Sour Cream or plain yogurt
• 1-1/2 cups Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 4 tsp Chai Spice Mix see note below

FROSTING

1. 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened
2. 3 cups Powdered Sugar
3. 2 Tbsp Half and Half or cream
4. 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
5. 2 tsp Chai Spice Mix see note below

OPTIONAL TOPPING

• 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar or coarse sugar
• 1/2 tsp Chai Spice Mix see note below

Tools

• 9x9 Baking Pan
• Butter Paper
• Mixing Bowl
• Kitcen Scale

Recipe Overview

Soft and flavorful chai spice cookie bars filled with the comforting flavors of chai spice and topped with a thick layer of vanilla-chai frosting.

Recipe courtesy of Allison from Celebrating Sweets.

Recipe Detail

BARS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9 baking pan. You can also line the baking pan with foil, leaving a couple inches of overhang on two sides (this will allow you to easily lift the whole pan of bars out of the pan). Spray or grease the foil.
2. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium speed for several minutes, until light and fluffy. Add egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and sour cream and beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and 4 teaspoons chai spice.
4. With the mixer on low, slowly add the the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined (do not over-mix). Spread the dough into an even layer in the prepared pan (it will be thick). Bake for 20-23 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the center no longer jiggles. Be careful not to over bake. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

FROSTING:

1. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and powdered sugar for 1-2 minutes, until light and creamy. Add half and half, vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons chai spice. Beat until completely combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
2. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars. If desired, combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the frosted bars.

RECIPE NOTES

• Chai Spice Mix: 1 teaspoon cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 3 teaspoons ground ginger. Store leftovers in your spice cabinet.