Spiced Chai Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Soft and chewy cookie bars bursting with warm chai spices and classic cinnamon sugar, perfect for cozy snack time. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 42 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 2 tsp ground cinnamon cinnamon sugar topping

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. Step 6: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the top with the cinnamon sugar topping made from 1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25-28 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into bars.