Matcha Hojicha Sugar Cookies

 





This is one of the cookies listed in the 2020 Kitchn’s list of quarantine cookies. Excited to try the other cookies on the list. I made these cookies smaller and took ~1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla, matcha, and hojicha dough to roll together.

Matcha Neapolitan Cookies 2.0 (~recipe by Amy Ho)

INGREDIENTS

·       2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter

·       1 large egg

·       1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided

·       2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·       2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·       1/2 teaspoon baking powder

·       1/4 teaspoon baking soda

·       1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

·       2 tablespoons matcha powder

·       2 tablespoons hojicha powder (not loose leaves) (used 4 Hojicha tea bags and finely ground the tea; next time want to use 6 tea bags)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     Place 2 sticks unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl if mixing by hand or with an electric hand mixer). Place 1 large egg on the counter, and let the butter and egg sit at room temperature until the butter is softened.

2.     Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

3.     Add 1 1/4 cups of the granulated sugar to the butter. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat to combine.

4.     Place 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined and no more streaks of the flour mixture remain, about 45 seconds.

5.     Divide the dough into 3 equal portions. Add 2 tablespoons matcha powder to one bowl, 2 tablespoons hojicha powder to the next, and leave the last portion plain. Gently mix until the tea powders are combined with the dough.

6.     Take a tablespoon of each dough and combine the dough by rolling between the palms of your hands. Make sure the three doughs are combined and there are no obvious ‘seams.’

7.     Place the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Toss the dough balls in the sugar until coated. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each ball, 6 per baking sheet.

8.     Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the edges of the cookies are light golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes. Do not overbake the cookies. Pick up the baking sheet and tap it on the oven rack to ‘de-puff’ the cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. (Baked for 10 min)

RECIPE NOTES

Hojicha powder: Purchase hojicha powder that does not contain sweeteners or creamers. If you can only find hojicha loose leaf tea, you can easily turn it into a powder in a spice grinder or food processor.

Make ahead: The dough can be formed into balls and frozen solid (do not coat in sugar) up to 2 months. When ready to bake, coat the frozen dough balls in sugar and bake according to the recipe, adding 1 to 2 minutes bake time.

Storage: The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days.




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