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These “Cat Lady Chai Cookies” Are Here to Spice Up Your Election Party
In a YouTube video from 2019, Vice President Kamala Harris — at the time, a US senator — bakes cookies in the kitchen of an Iowa voter. She expertly cracks the eggs with one hand and reminisces about how she loved sneaking spoonfuls of raw cookie dough from the bowl as a young girl. “This is the beginning of any good cookie recipe,” she says while mixing the butter and sugar. Vice President Harris has often used cooking to connect to voters — so much so that there’s now a whole website dedicated to her recipes, as well as others she’s inspired.
On the website Kamala’s Recipes, started by the design firm People People, you can find the recipe for the Blue Wave Tuna Melt she once made during an Instagram Live, the Bathtub Collard Greens she talked about at a Georgia rally earlier this year, and the turkey brine she famously shared with a reporter just before going on air in 2020.
In addition to the cookies she made on YouTube back in 2019, Kamala’s Recipes also features Cat Lady Chai Cookies. (The full recipe is ahead.) Cat Lady Chai Cookies are essentially an iced sugar cookie, but instead of plain vanilla, the icing incorporates chai spice — the main ingredient in Indian-style tea — paying homage to the presidential candidate’s South Asian heritage. The cookies also include eggnog, taking inspiration from the chai sugar cookie recipe of Taylor Swift, who in 2020 showed her support of the Democratic ticket by decorating her cookies with the Biden-Harris logo in an Instagram post.
The name Cat Lady Chai Cookies, as you might’ve guessed, is a reference to J.D. Vance’s comments about Harris and the Democratic Party being made up of “childless cat ladies” in 2021, a talking point that conservatives have continued to recycle. Swift famously reclaimed the label by signing off her much-anticipated endorsement of Harris this year with “Childless Cat Lady.” Addressing the broader discourse, Harris later stated on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that “family comes in many forms, and I think that increasingly, all of us understand that this is not the 1950s anymore.” And since it’s not the 1950s, it’s also safe to say that sugar cookies can also have chai spice.
Though the flavor profile of Cat Lady Chai Cookies may challenge that of a traditional sugar cookie, they’re basically catnip if you already like chai and eggnog. The cookie dough itself is like any other sugar cookie, as it combines butter with sugar, eggs, powdered sugar, flour, and vanilla. The chai spice and eggnog don’t come in until later, as they’re added to the icing, along with powdered sugar, more vanilla, and milk.
It’s worth noting that these cookies aren’t a quick recipe, so if you plan to make them for the next presidential debate or while watching the election results, keep in mind they require patience. You’ll have to let the dough sit in the refrigerator for an hour or at least 15 minutes in the freezer because otherwise, they’ll spread too much in the oven. Then, set aside time to shape, sugarcoat, and allow the cookies to cool sufficiently after taking them out of the oven to prevent the icing from melting when spread or drizzled on top.
Despite the somewhat lengthy cooking process, these Cat Lady Chai Cookies are well worth it. Despite the vegetable oil, they’re rich and buttery but not greasy, and they have a soft, chewy texture. The icing adds a layer of warm, spiced flavor that complements the sweetness, and there’s plenty to share, too. The recipe on the website claims to yield a dozen cookies, but if you use the recommended one-tablespoon portions for each cookie, you will actually end up with 32. (Harris was not exaggerating when she said she loved snacking on raw cookie dough.)
If you want to try these Cat Lady Chai Cookies for yourself, keep reading for step-by-step photos and the full recipe.
Cat Lady Chai Cookies
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or foil, or grease generously with butter or cooking spray.
Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add the vegetable oil. It may not fully incorporate the butter, but that’s OK. Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla, beating on medium speed until each ingredient is completely incorporated.
Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt all at once using a wooden spoon or the mixer set on low. The dough will be soft.
Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or freeze for 15 minutes just so it’s easier to handle. For large cookies, dollop 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. For smaller cookies use 1 Tablespoon for each cookie. Press the dough evenly with your fingers or palm to 1/4-inch thickness. Generously sprinkle sugar on top of the cookie dough.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes for larger cookies or 8 to 10 minutes for smaller cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely. The cookies will keep for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
Now for the icing . . . first, cream the butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated.
Mix in eggnog: Pour in the eggnog and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add chai spice and vanilla: Stir in the chai spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until everything is well combined and the frosting is smooth.
Adjust consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a little more eggnog, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Spread or pipe the chai eggnog icing on sugar cookies for a festive treat!
meet the team
We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.
tessa franchini
principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com
Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.
amy golden
principal
amy@paxsonfay.com
Growing up in Seattle, Amy was always exploring the great outdoors but she found a particular thrill in traveling. During a visit to New York City at age 10, she knew that was where she wanted to live. After high school she left her home in the Pacific Northwest behind for the great unknown to attend Fordham University in the Bronx. Upon graduation, Amy received a phone call from CNN offering a job opportunity of a lifetime working in television ad sales at Manhattan's Time Warner Center. When a job opportunity in Los Angeles opened up a few years later, Amy couldn't say no to a new adventure back on the west coast. But Seattle eventually called her back home and Amy returned to pursue a Master's degree in Business Administration with the hopes of learning the skills she needed to feed her entrepreneurial spirit. Before graduating, Amy co-founded Paxson Fay with Tessa Andrews in 2015. Amy focuses on marketing strategy, public relations, social media, and partnerships.
colby wood
senior account executive
colby@paxsonfay.com
After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.
paige childs
communication specialist
paige@paxsonfay.com
As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.
zoe mcphail
senior communications coordinator
zoe@paxsonfay.com
From San Francisco, California, Zoe moved to Seattle, Washington to pursue her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. She graduated with a dual bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science. Shortly after graduation from UW, Zoe hopped across the pond to pursue her Master of Science in Urban Economics and Real Estate Finance at the London School of Economics. Focusing on Sustainable Development, she found herself drawn to adaptive reuse and preservation projects in the world of architecture and design. Building on prior marketing and social media experience, Zoe returned to the PNW in July of 2023 to work on social media strategy and content creation for clients at Paxson Fay.
martina povolo
communications assistant
martina@paxsonfay.com
Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.
tara lyons
communications assistant
tara@paxsonfay.com
With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.
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what we do
We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.
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