Chai Spice Cookie Bars

Cookie bars topped with frosting and cinnamon sugar.

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

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 388kcal

Author Allison Mattina

Ingredients

Bars:

½ cup unsalted butter softened
⅔ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt
1 ½ cups Bob's Red Mill White All-Purpose Flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons chai spice mix see note

Frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons half and half or cream
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons chai spice mix see note

Optional topping:

1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coarse sugar
½ teaspoon chai spice mix see note

Instructions

Bars:

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.
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.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and 4 teaspoons chai spice.
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:

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. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars. If desired, combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the frosted bars.

Notes

Chai spice mix: 1 teaspoon cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, and 3 teaspoons ground ginger. Store leftovers in your spice cabinet.

Nutrition