Chai Sugar Cookies

These cookies are rich with cardamom, cinnamon and ground cloves - spices found in Chai, a spiced tea beverage. Serve with Lemon Grass Ginger Sorbet for a light and refreshing dessert combination.

Makes 5 dozen or 30 (2 cookie) servings.

2 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection® Chai Spice Blend
2 teaspoons McCormick® Cream of Tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
Additional sugar for rolling

Mix flour, Chai Spice Blend, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; set aside.

Beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually add flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Cover. Refrigerate 2 hours or until dough is firm and easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Test Kitchen Tip: If Chai Spice Blend is unavailable, prepare your own by mixing 2 teaspoons each McCormick® Gourmet Collection® Ground Cardamom, Saigon Cinnamon and Ground Cloves with 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection® Ground White Pepper until well blended. Decrease spice blend to 2 teaspoons in cookie recipe.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of ©2008 McCormick & Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved - used with permission.