Chai-Spiced Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

• tablespoon sloose-leaf tea, or more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon sground cardamom
• teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove s
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper (Optional)
• cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• teaspoon vanilla extra ct
• cup sall-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Grind tea into a fine powder using a spice grinder; transfer to a bowl. Stir in cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and black pepper.
3. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer in a bowl until creamy. Add spice mixture; mix thoroughly. Fold in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms.
4. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface; roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough out with a 2 inch cookie cutter or knife; place cookies on baking sheets.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until edges begin to brown slightly, about 20 minutes.

Tips

You might try adding almond extract, or using honey instead of sugar (though you'll need more flour). Substitute white pepper for the black pepper, if desired.