These Matcha Crinkle Cookies offer the perfect combination of vibrant green matcha flavor and a delicate, powdery crinkle exterior. Each bite delivers a slightly chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The powdered sugar coating adds a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the earthy notes of the matcha. These cookies are a true visual and flavor delight, making them an ideal treat for any occasion.
Perfect for those who love matcha, these cookies are simple to make yet deliver a sophisticated flavor. Whether you’re hosting a tea party, looking for a unique gift for a friend, or simply indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cookies will surely impress. You can even experiment with the level of matcha to adjust the flavor intensity to your liking.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons matcha powder
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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1 ½ cups granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a separate large bowl, mix the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
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Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick dough forms.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
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Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes | Kcal: 130 kcal per cookie | Servings: 18 cookies
The Magic of Matcha
Matcha, the powdered form of green tea, has been celebrated for centuries in Japanese culture. It is made from finely ground green tea leaves, offering a more concentrated flavor and higher antioxidant content than regular green tea. In recent years, matcha has gained significant popularity in the culinary world, especially in desserts. This is due to its earthy flavor, which pairs surprisingly well with sweet ingredients, making it a versatile addition to various baked goods, including cookies, cakes, and ice cream.
The beauty of matcha in baking lies in its unique flavor profile. While it has a distinct bitterness on its own, the sweetness from the powdered sugar coating and the slight richness of the butter in Matcha Crinkle Cookies helps to balance it out, creating a harmonious treat that pleases the palate. The green hue it imparts to the cookies also adds a visual appeal, making them an excellent choice for special occasions or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
A Chewy, Crinkly Texture
One of the signature characteristics of Matcha Crinkle Cookies is their chewy texture combined with a delightful crinkled appearance. Achieving the perfect texture in a cookie is often the holy grail of baking, and crinkle cookies stand out because of their unique appearance. The crinkled surface forms as the dough expands while baking, allowing the powdered sugar to crack and create the characteristic “snowy” effect that gives them their name.
The chewy texture comes from the combination of butter and sugar, which provides moisture and tenderness to the dough. It is further enhanced by the eggs, which bind the ingredients together and create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The crinkles in the surface not only add to the visual appeal but also offer a slight crunch in each bite, creating a perfect contrast with the soft interior.
The Appeal of Matcha in Desserts
Matcha isn’t just a trendy ingredient; it has been used in traditional Japanese sweets for centuries. The unique flavor of matcha provides an excellent balance between bitterness and sweetness, making it a great addition to desserts. While many people are familiar with matcha-flavored drinks, it has gained significant popularity in desserts, where its grassy, slightly astringent flavor provides an intriguing contrast to the usual sugary notes.
Incorporating matcha into baked goods like Matcha Crinkle Cookies adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to match with other ingredients. Its earthy undertones provide a grounding base to the cookie, while the sweetness of the dough and powdered sugar coating complement the flavor without overwhelming it. This balance makes matcha an ideal choice for cookies, offering a unique twist on traditional cookie recipes.
Matcha Crinkle Cookies for Every Occasion
Matcha Crinkle Cookies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on a wide range of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a tea party, celebrating a special event, or simply want a delicious snack to accompany your afternoon coffee or tea, these cookies are sure to impress. Their vibrant green color makes them perfect for holiday celebrations, especially St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, or any event that calls for a pop of color.
Additionally, Matcha Crinkle Cookies make for an exceptional homemade gift. Their beauty and unique flavor profile stand out from the usual cookie offerings, making them a memorable present. Whether packaged in a decorative box or jar, these cookies are sure to delight anyone who receives them.
Health Benefits of Matcha
Beyond its unique flavor, matcha is also packed with health benefits. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha uses the entire leaf, which means you consume all of its nutrients. Matcha is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, which help fight free radicals and protect the body from cellular damage. This makes it a heart-healthy ingredient that can aid in reducing inflammation and promoting overall wellness.
Additionally, matcha is known for its ability to provide a gentle energy boost. Unlike coffee, which can lead to a jittery feeling, the caffeine in matcha is released more gradually, providing a sustained energy lift without the crash. This makes matcha an excellent ingredient to add to your diet, even in the form of a delicious cookie.
Tips for Perfect Matcha Crinkle Cookies
Baking the perfect batch of Matcha Crinkle Cookies is easy, but there are a few tips that can help ensure the best results. First, it’s crucial to use high-quality matcha powder. The flavor of matcha can vary significantly depending on its grade, with ceremonial-grade matcha being the best choice for desserts due to its vibrant color and smooth flavor. Avoid using cooking-grade matcha, which can be more bitter and less flavorful.
Another important tip is to ensure that the dough is sufficiently chilled before baking. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking. This is especially important for crinkle cookies, as you want them to keep their defined cracks. Allowing the dough to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb.
Lastly, don’t skip the powdered sugar coating. Not only does it give the cookies their signature crinkled look, but it also adds an extra layer of sweetness that balances the matcha’s natural bitterness.
Storing Matcha Crinkle Cookies
If you find yourself with leftover cookies, you’ll be happy to know that Matcha Crinkle Cookies store well. To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back their soft, chewy texture. These cookies are perfect for meal prep or whenever you’re in the mood for a quick and satisfying sweet treat.
Conclusion
Matcha Crinkle Cookies are a delightful fusion of rich, earthy matcha flavor and sweet, chewy cookie texture. Their unique appearance and delicious taste make them a must-try for any cookie lover or matcha enthusiast. Whether you’re baking them for yourself, sharing them with friends, or giving them as a thoughtful gift, these cookies are sure to impress. With their vibrant green color, chewy texture, and the added benefits of matcha, they are a treat that everyone can enjoy.
If you’re looking for a new twist on traditional cookies, give Matcha Crinkle Cookies a try. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of time, you can create a batch of these beautiful, delicious cookies that will stand out from the usual cookie recipes. So, grab your matcha powder and get ready to bake something extraordinary!