Name: Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Unsalted Butter (1 cup, room temperature); Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup); Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed); Large Eggs (2, room temperature); Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons); All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups); Baking Soda (1 teaspoon); Ground Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons); Ground Ginger (1 teaspoon); Ground Cardamom (3/4 teaspoon); Ground Allspice (1/2 teaspoon); Salt (1/2 teaspoon); Quick Oats (3 cups); Powdered Sugar (3 cups); Eggnog or Milk (2 tablespoons); Vanilla Extract (1 1/2 teaspoons); Kosher Salt (to taste)

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There’s something undeniably cozy about the aroma of warm spices wafting through your kitchen, isn’t there? Imagine biting into a soft, chewy treat with the delightful textures of oats and a luscious creamy filling that dances on your palate. If that sounds dreamy, then you’re in for a treat with these Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies. They’re a heartwarming twist on the classic Little Debbie snacks, capturing the essence of December with every bite. The chai spices—think cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom—make these cookies sing with warmth, wrapping you in a nostalgic hug, perfect for sharing (or savoring solo).

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies

I vividly remember baking cookies with my kids, their small hands eager to help. As we measured and mixed, laughter filled the air, only rivaled by the tantalizing smell of spices baking in the oven. Just as I popped the cookies in for the last batch, a delighted squeal from my little one brought a smile to my face—the perfect finish to a cozy afternoon. Trust me, once you try these Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies, you and your family will be reaching for seconds or even thirds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip these up in just about 30 minutes from start to finish!
Irresistible Flavor: The cozy chai spices elevate the classic oatmeal cookie taste.
Eye-Catching Appeal: They’re not just delicious; they look beautiful sandwiched with creamy filling!
Flexible Serving: Perfect as an afternoon snack, lunchbox treat, or holiday dessert.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easy to adapt for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Unsalted Butter (1 cup, room temperature): This fat provides richness and moisture, making your cookies delectably soft. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine or coconut oil.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): This sweetens the mixture, contributing to the cookie’s texture and color. You can use cane sugar as an alternative if needed.
Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): The molasses content adds depth, moisture, and a slight chewiness. Dark brown sugar works, too, for a richer flavor.
Large Eggs (2, room temperature): Eggs act as a binder. Ensure they are at room temp for better mixing.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): This adds warmth and enhances the sweetness of your cookies. Try to use pure vanilla for the best flavor.
All-Purpose Flour (1 3/4 cups): A must for your cookie base, contributing to the structure. For a gluten-free alternative, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): This leavening agent helps your cookies rise and achieve that perfect chewy texture.
Ground Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): It provides that warm chai flavor. You could swap with a chai spice blend if you like.
Ground Ginger (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and a slight zest.
Ground Cardamom (3/4 teaspoon): Such a lovely aromatic spice that brightens up your cookie flavor profile.
Ground Allspice (1/2 teaspoon): This brings a slight sweetness and depth to the flavor, enhancing the chai appeal.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A pinch of salt balances sweetness and lifts flavors.
Quick Oats (3 cups): These maintain the chewy texture that’s synonymous with oatmeal cookies. For a gluten-free option, reach for certified gluten-free oats.
Powdered Sugar (3 cups): This creates the fluffy, sweet filling that brings our sandwiches together beautifully.
Eggnog or Milk (2 tablespoons): For creaminess in the filling. Use dairy-free milk or a substitute like coconut cream for non-dairy needs.
Vanilla Extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): More of the lovely flavor, making our filling more fragrant.
Kosher Salt (to taste): A small touch of salt makes the filling sing!

How to Make Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Gathering your tools and ingredients ahead will streamline the baking process and put you in your happy zone!

Beat Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric mixer in a large bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy—this makes for a beautiful cookie texture. Then, add in the two eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.

Mix Dry Ingredients: Grab a separate medium bowl to whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and salt. It’s crucial to mix these before adding them to the wet ingredients to ensure even dispersion of the baking soda and spices, which makes for the perfect cookies!

Combine Additions: With your mixer on low speed, slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix—just combine until the dough is sticky and well-blended. Trust me, this is where the magic happens!

Scoop Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (or about 1.5 tablespoons), drop the cookie dough on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. This ensures they have room to spread beautifully while baking, creating that perfect, signature shape.

Bake to Perfection: Pop the cookie sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for the edges to turn golden and the tops to just set. You want them to remain soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—this will help maintain the lovely soft texture!

Make the Filling: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat 1/2 cup of room temperature unsalted butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar (it’ll get fluffy and irresistible). Pour in the eggnog (or milk) and vanilla, blending for another 1-2 minutes. Taste your filling and add kosher salt as preferred—it truly brings out the sweet flavor!

Sandwich Cookies: Generously spread about 1 tablespoon of the lovely fluffy filling on the bottom of half your cooled cookies, or pipe it on if you’re feeling fancy. Top with another cookie right side up, creating delightful little sandwiches. Store these divine treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Storing & Reheating

These Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies can hang out at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 days. If you want to enjoy them beyond that, pop them in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. Need to defer the pleasure longer? Freeze them for up to 3 months! Just separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking, and thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying them again. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly different after freezing, but a quick 10-second zap in the microwave can refresh that softness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing.
Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
Right Baking Time: The cookies should look slightly soft and set in the middle when they come out of the oven. They’ll firm as they cool!
Flavor Boosters: A sprinkle of nutmeg or allspice in the filling can provide an extra chai kick.
Make Ahead: You can prep the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking for a fresher taste.

There you have it—delicious Chai Oatmeal Cream Pies that bring cozy vibes to any occasion! I encourage you to experiment with the spices or the fillings; maybe add a pinch of nutmeg or even some crushed nuts for extra texture. The flavorful possibilities are endless, and the joy you’ll feel when you bite into one of these is unmatched. Enjoy every moment of baking and indulging!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours, allowing you to bake fresh cookies on a whim. If you prefer, you can also bake them and store them in an airtight container for quick treats throughout the week.

What can I substitute for eggnog in this recipe?

If you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can easily swap in milk or a non-dairy milk alternative like almond or coconut milk. It won’t have the same flavor, but it will still create a creamy filling!

How do I know when my cookies are done baking?

Look for cookies with golden edges and slightly puffed centers; they should still feel soft to the touch. They will continue to firm up as they cool, making them perfectly chewy!

Can I freeze these sandwiches?

Yes! These treats freeze wonderfully. Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, and they can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply let them thaw in the fridge.