I love matcha. Besides making matcha tea, it is not an ingredient that I have worked before. Matcha is one of my favourite ice-cream flavour. I have green tea almost everyday at work. And I still salivate when I think about the piece of matcha cotton soft cheesecake that I had 2 years ago in Singapore. And of course reading all the matcha recipes from Catty’s blog is enough to send me MATCHA MAD!
matcha matcha matcha
This recipe is taken and followed closely from Chocolate & Zucchini. I have learnt not to play God especially when it comes to baking.
Ingredients – Between 15 – 20 cookies depending on size and thickness
- 100 grams (7 tablespoons) good-quality butter, softened (I use semi-salted butter; if you use unsalted, add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt)
- 50 grams (6 tablespoons) confectioner’s sugar
- 1 egg yolk*
- 90 grams (3/4 cup) flour
- 40 grams (6 tablespoons) finely ground almonds (a.k.a. almond meal or poudre d’amande; look for it at natural food stores)
- 2 teaspoons matcha (green tea powder)
- 2 tablespoons sugar, preferably an unrefined cane sugar in coarse crystals, such as turbinado or demerara
Method:
- In a medium mixing-bowl, cream together the butter and confectioner’s sugar with a spatula. Add the egg yolk and mix it in thoroughly.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, ground almonds, and matcha, and stir with a whisk to remove any lump. Add to the first bowl and stir it in until the mixture comes together to form a ball; don’t overwork the dough. Roll it into a log with a circular or square** section, about 4-cm (1 1/2-inch) in width. Wrap in cling film and place in the freezer to firm up for 40 minutes (or in the fridge for 2 hours).
- Preheat the oven to 180° C (360° F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle the sugar on a plate and roll the log in it to coat on all sides, pressing it down a bit into the sugar if necessary. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1-cm (2/5-inch) slices and arrange on the prepared baking sheet; the cookies will spread just a touch.
- Slip into the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cookies just begin to turn golden at the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
** To form a log with a square section, start by forming a regular log with a round section. Place it on a work surface, and press down on it with a small cutting-board to just flatten the top and bottom. Roll it by a quarter of a turn, and repeat to get two more flat sides.
Matcha shortbread
I ended with some burnt shortbread. These are the only ones that look half decent. I followed the recipe religiously. Am I such a bad baker? Is there hope for me? I have finally invested in an oven thermometer and it turns out that the oven is surprising hotter than it should be and can be quite random. So maybe it is the oven and not me.
What is your favourite matcha dish? Please share!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
RT @jeroxie: New Blog Post – Matcha shortbread cookies http://jeroxie.com/addiction/matcha-madn... #matchamadness #matcha
@jeroxie ooh… You've been baking?
@CherrieMoore I’ve decided to focus more on baking..conquer my fear!
@jeroxie good on you. Conquer that fear!
@jeroxie yay! Got ur submission thanks! x
It looks absolutely scrumptious and the green tea powder omg omgggg
Michelle recently posted..Jal Dae Ji Korean Restaurant @ Korean Village- Ampang
Such a lovely baked! You did it again, Penny. Good job! Hope you’re enjoying the weekend & have lots of fun too.
Cheers always,
Kristy
kristy recently posted..Ayam Golek
RT @jeroxie: New Blog Post – Matcha shortbread cookies http://jeroxie.com/addiction/matcha-madn… #matchamadness #matcha
This is what I love about blogging, through your posts its the first time that I’ve heard about matcha and now I’m on a hunt to find it !!!
This looks delicious!!
Sharlene (Wheels and Lollipops) recently posted..Classic Sour Cherry Pie with Lattice Crust
I’m having the same problem with my oven. It’s an ancient piece of crap and I miss having the awesome oven at my parent’s place!
Alas, well done, even if the edges are slightly burnt. I love matcha too!
Iron Chef Shellie recently posted..Tomato-Braised Lamb Shanks
Yup, ovens are perilously different!
The thermometer is a good start. Is it a fan-forced oven? Fan heats more evenly, but they needs to be turned down at least 10 degrees from the recipe. Other ovens can get uneven pockets of heat.
Emma @CakeMistress recently posted..Weekly Recipe Highlights 8
I love the colour that using matcha powder brings to recipes. I havent' used matcha much myself, but reading up about this powder I'm going to have to give these shortbread recipes ago. Thanks
My Restaurants Melbo recently posted..Curry Vault – Indian Banquet
Mmm.. I love matcha too! I entered my Matcha Japanese Cheesecake for Catty's competition.
I think your shortbread cookies look really yum!
xox Sarah
Sarah recently posted..Duck Duck Goose
I fell in love with matcha desserts when I visited Japan
I remember eating a red bean and matcha mont blanc that was amazing! I think these cookies are a safer option for me to try cooking, though… 
What I great recipe, I have yet to bake with Matcha… this sounds like the perfect recipe to get started with.
I do agree with you that sometimes it’s the oven and not our skill! That’s consolation, right? An oven thermometer is a good investment, waiting for mine to be delivered. I like matcha red bean buns. No worries, you can bake well too!
Cheah recently posted..Easy Cupcakes
Knowing your oven is the first step to baking! (And can be quite hard). Good luck with it! My oven (luckily) is quite spot on with its temperature, but the minute the door is opened for things to be put in, it takes freaking forever to climb back up to the needed temperature.
I love matcha! It's nice to see you doing some baking!
Ellie (Almost Bourda recently posted..Bourke Street Bakerys Ginger Brulee Tarts
Sounds really good! I do like matcha confectionery.
wow this is awesome love the color as well
rebecca recently posted..Bolognese over Creste di Gallo
I’ve been wanting to get my hands on some matcha powder to play with for some time. I think maybe these are one of those types of baking recipes where you need to watch it almost constantly after about half way… Making it not nearly as fun to bake as it is to cook in my opinion, but when it comes out right, it makes it worth it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE MATCHA! These look gorgeous!
Maria recently posted..Newtown Eating Tour
Hi Penny, great article ! you inspired me to try some recipe with matcha, it’s vibrant green and should make a fantastic subject for some food photography; first I have to find it though….
dario
foodpixels recently posted..Food Photography on location- some copyright advice
Such a unique recipe, love the green color!
Patty Price recently posted..Mediterranean Farro Salad
Be the master of the oven, do not let it be the master of you =D lol maybe you’re just not a baking person? Like I am the master of my sweets and desserts but when it comes to cooking actual meals, I’m not as good as the boy is though we work well when it comes to team work =) Keep on trying though you’ll get there with persistance =)
angie recently posted..Event for Table of Plenty Dukkah Range @ Souk in the City
I've seen so many great matcha recipes lately, and this is definitely one of them! Looks delicious
OOooh these look pretty. Pretty tasty.
Shortbread can be a bitch to get right when you haven't used the recipe before. Definitely one of those things that you have to take out before you think you do. Oh and yes, use a lower heat if fan forced.
This is clearly the oven's fault. You are not to blame. The oven just wanted to keep the cookies for itself.
Conor @ HoldtheBeef recently posted..J’adore Montréal
I'm with you on the love or "madness" when it comes to Matcha. I love this recipe thanks for sharing it. I would have loved to have seen it included in Tanantha's (IJLMA) Matcha Madness last week. Looks perfect Penny, as always !
Nancy-Spicie Foodie recently posted..Sloppy Joes and Our History
Playing blog catch up! These look good, regardless of a few of them being a little burnt. Hey, it adds to the crunchiness!
Adrian @ Food Rehab recently posted..The Best Breakfast in Melbourne’s West Plus Swiss Buttercream Pineapple Pies
I remember my first deep fried green tea ice cream/and the first time I ever tried sushi/ it was at Something's Fishy/ must have been in the late 70s in LA/ I also remember the sushi chef gave backrubs/
Good luck with your baking.
LL
Favourite Matcha dish? Hmm… It would be a toss up between your recipe here and I'd have to say those lovely fluffy cakes you see in the stores.
Trissa recently posted..Lyche Sorbet on the Thermomix…
I’m luvin’ these tea-type cookies. Would matcha powder just be the same as using matcha tea? I’m sure you’re an excellent baker…sometimes ovens run hotter than others and just need to be adjusted. I too have one of those ovens that’s over-zealous and I need to cut the baking time down by minutes.
Cristina – Teenie Cakes recently posted..Fettuccine with Figs- Brown Butter and Hazelnuts
Mmm Thank you for this recipe! It was delicious! They stayed a beautiful shade of green all throughout and I was really happy with it.
GreaT! Glad you like it and that it worked out well for you.
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