Having a good sugar cookie recipe is a necessity for any baker. Sugar cookies are a classic- they're simple, delicious, and very versatile. There's something about eating a freshly baked sugar cookie as the temperature drops outside and the days get shorter. We've added a fun twist to this classic cookie by incorporating rich, earthy matcha and topping it with a citrusy yuzu glaze.
Ingredients you will need for your Matcha sugar cookies:
- ½ tablespoon culinary-grade matcha
- 2 & ¾ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup salted butter, softened (ideally room temp)
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for your Yuzu cookie Glaze:
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons yuzu juice
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions to make your matcha sugar cookies:
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190°C)
- Mix matcha, flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter together until smooth. Add in egg and vanilla and mix again.
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture.
- Roll dough into small balls and place 2" apart onto un-greased baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden.
- Let cool for a few minutes on baking sheets, then move to a wire rack and let cool completely.
- While your cookies are baking in the oven, it's often a good time to make your glaze.
Directions for yuzu sugar cookie glaze or dip:
- Combine milk, vanilla, and yuzu in a medium bowl.
- Add powdered sugar and mix well. Keep in mind you can always adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar.
- Dip the face of each (cooled) baked and cooled cookie into the glaze.
- Allow excess to drip off, then let dry.
- You can also opt to simply dip the cookies as you eat them! (A favorite with kids)
Tips to keep in mind when making your matcha sugar cookies:
Use high-quality matcha: While some describe matcha as bitter in taste, that should never be the case when you use high-quality stuff! Lower-quality matcha powders tend to be bitter or have added ingredients for sweetness. High-quality matcha should be smooth, sweet, and earthy. Using culinary-grade matcha in this recipe is best so that the flavors pull through into your cookies.
Always sift your matcha: Remember to always sift your matcha beforehand! It's well worth the extra step to ensure you don't have clumps.
Don't cut these cookies into shapes: While many sugar cookies are designed to be rolled out and cut into fun shapes, this isn't one of them. This dough won't hold up well with that kind of abuse. But we promise what it lacks in fun shapes, it definitely makes up for in flavor and ease!
If you want to cut matcha cookies into shapes, do this: If you are dying to make sugar cookies in the shape of something, you can use this same matcha/flour ratio with a different recipe. Nothing wrong with some experimentation!
Your classic sugar cookie with a healthy twist
In addition to being delightful to eat, matcha boasts a plethora of health benefits. It contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which gives you a calm, relaxed feeling. Matcha is also high in antioxidants and is packed with anti-inflammatory supporting elements. These cookies are delicious on their own, so this glaze is optional. But it can be an enjoyable addition!
The bottom line: This is a great cookie recipe to make with kids
Matcha is a straightforward ingredient to bake with and gives a delicious complexity to its dishes. Matcha is often described as having an earthy, umami flavor that is complimented well with citrus flavors.
The combo of yuzu and matcha is a matcha made in heaven. Adding yuzu brings a touch of citrus flavor to this cookie. Plus -- dipping your cookies in the glaze is fun and a great way to keep kids busy and entertained. (for a bit ;))
Check out more of our savory and sweet recipes using matcha
This recipe is By Diana Weil, Matcha.com's Integrative Nutritionist and Food Relationship Specialist.
