Chai Spice Cookies

It was Administrative Assistants' Day (or whatever it is called now) yesterday but our office is celebrating today.  I got my own assistant a gift, but I also wanted to bring something to the other staff that provide me with assistance on a daily basis - our receptionist, corporate clerk, office clerk, accounting department, etc.  I decided to make a batch of cookies.  I made these chai spice cookies, and since they don't have icing or chocolate, you can pretend they are a breakfast food and they pair well with your coffee or tea.

Chai Spice Cookies

1 3/4 cups white sugar
2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice and black pepper.  Remove 1/4 cup of the sugar-spice mixture.  Set aside to reserve for rolling the cookies.

Beat butter and sugar-spice mixture with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about three minutes.   Beat in egg and vanilla, combine until fully incorporated.

Slowly blend in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until just combined.

Roll small balls of dough in your hands (about two teaspoons each).  Roll in reserved sugar-spice mixture.  Place dough balls on baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.  Do not over bake.

Cool on wire racks.

These cookies are so addictive, you have been warned!