Chai-inspired soft cookies

Do you know about Lofthouse cookies?  Those wonderful, soft cookies with that saccharine sweet and usually vibrant colored sheet of frosting and sprinkles.  I absolutely adore those cookies, and can eat way more than I should in one sitting.  Everything about them screams artificial; the texture is almost starchy but oh so fluffy.  And I'd hate to know what's in the frosting... But, what if you could have a cookie that's even better, is less saccharine sweet, and so much more flavorful?  Also, with all the taste of drinking a chai latte except that it is in soft cookie form.  That's a double win in my book!  Do try this recipe if you answered yes, you won't regret it!

This recipe was inspired by the Lofthouse copycat recipe from Center Cut Cook, here's the link: http://www.centercutcook.com/lofthouse-soft-sugar-cookies-copycat-recipe/

Nom nom nom... If only the cookie could pop out of the screen just a little bit so you could sneak a nibble...

Ingredients, cookies:

-1/4 cup Greek yogurt

-1/2 cup brown sugar

-1/2 cup softened butter

-1 egg

-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

-2 sachets of chai tea (or approximately 2 tsp of loose tea mix)

-1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

-1/4 cup cornstarch

-3/4 tsp baking powder

-1/4 tsp salt

-1 tsp ground cinnamon

-1/2 cup finely minced candied ginger

Ingredients, frosting:

-2 tbsp softened butter

-2 tbsp vegetable shortening

-2 cups powdered sugar

-1 to 3 tbsp milk

-2 tsp ground cardamom

-1/4 tsp salt

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a cookie sheet.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat the yogurt, sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, and chai tea.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.  Dough will be fairly wet.

5. Stir in the candied ginger.

6. Shape into 2-inch flattened balls and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until the edges are barely browned.  Cookies may look a little undercooked, but this is okay and they will continue to cook a little as they cool.

7. While the cookies bake, prepare the frosting.  Beat the butter, shortening, one tablespoon of the milk, the ground cardamom, salt, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.  Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating until smooth.  Add in 1-2 more tablespoons of milk depending on the desired consistency. 

8. Once cookies have cooled, spread a dollop of frosting on each.  Garnish with extra chopped candied ginger, if desired.  Enjoy! (Recommended accompaniment: cup of chai tea—chai it up!!)

 

Or how about one of these lattes from Ipsento in Bucktown in Chicago.  That would be a killer combo!