Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies
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These Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies are flavored with matcha powder which makes them green without the use of food coloring!
These adorable Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies are naturally green because they’re flavored with matcha powder! Matcha has a very unique taste that is earthy and slightly bitter which really shines in these shortbread cookies. They’re crisp, buttery and not overly sweet. The shortbread dough has only 6 ingredients and comes together so quickly. I decorated these Christmas tree cookies with white chocolate to complement the matcha flavor but they taste just as delicious plain!
More Holiday Cookie Recipes
- Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Gingerbread Cookies
- Chocolate Blossom Cookies
- Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredient Breakdown
All-purpose flour – this gives the cookies structure.
Butter – provides flavor and structure. I always recommend using unsalted butter but salted butter works if that’s all you have on hand, just be sure to omit the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Do not use cold or melted butter.
Granulated sugar – sweetens cookies.
Matcha Powder – gives the cookies their matcha flavor and green color. Be sure to use culinary grade matcha powder. If you don’t want the matcha flavor to be as strong you can decrease it to 2 tbsp.
Vanilla extract and salt – enhances flavor. Always use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation for best flavor.
How To Make Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies
1. In a small bowl whisk all-purpose flour and salt. Set aside.
2. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, matcha powder and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
3. Add the dry ingredients all at once then mix on low speed until just combined.
4. Divide dough in half then shape into flat discs. Wrap each tightly with plastic wrap then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
5. On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and place on a baking sheet then freeze for at least 5 minutes.
6. Bake cookies at 325°F for 15 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown then allow to cool completely (my cookies were 3 inches but you may have to adjust the baking time if your cookies are smaller/larger). Repeat with the second disc of dough. You can reroll the dough scraps up to 2 more times. If desired, decorate cookies with melted white chocolate. Store Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.
Pro Tips For Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies
- Weigh your ingredients using a kitchen scale! Measuring ingredients by volume is not accurate.
- Don’t over mix the dough! Only mix until the dry ingredients are just combined. Over mixing = more gluten development which means tough cookies. We don’t want any tough cookies here!
- Bake one tray at a time on the middle oven rack. This ensures that there is even heat circulation.
- Keep the shortbread cookie dough cold! If you put warm cookies in the oven they will spread so I recommend freezing the cookies for a few minutes before baking them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a Japanese powder made from ground green tea leaves. It can be used for making tea, lattes or various baked goods. It has a very unique taste that is earthy and slightly bitter. When baking with matcha it’s best to use culinary grade matcha powder.
If you’re looking for more matcha recipes try my Matcha Neapolitan Cookies, Matcha Sugar Cookies or Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Can You Make Shortbread Cookie Dough In Advance?
Yes! Once you make this shortbread cookie dough you can either refrigerate it for up to 3 days wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or freeze it for up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a zip-top bag.
Why do you have to chill shortbread cookie dough?
You need to chill shortbread cookie dough in order to make the dough easy to work with and to prevent your cookies from spreading too much. If you’re dough is warm then it will become sticky and difficult to handle. I recommend chilling your dough for at least 1 hours before rolling it out and chilling your cookies in the fridge or freezer right before baking them.
Why Is Shortbread called Shortbread?
Shortbread gets its name from its crumbly texture which is a result of the dough’s high fat content. The traditional ratio for shortbread is 1:2:3 (one part sugar to two parts butter to three parts flour).
What’s the difference between sugar cookies And Shortbread?
Unlike sugar cookies, shortbread is made without eggs or any leavening agents. Shortbread also has a more crumbly texture as a result of the dough’s high fat content. If you’re looking for sugar cookie recipes try my Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies or Sugar Cookies with Hershey Kisses.
My Favorite Cookie Tools
- Kitchen scale I love this scale, I’ve been using it for years!
- Stand Mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment Paper
- French rolling pin gives you more control than rolling pins with handles.
- Dough measuring strips for these Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies I used the blue strips which are 1/4 inch thick.
- Culinary Grade Matcha Powder
If you try this recipe then please leave a rating/comment below to let me know how you liked it and feel free to ask any recipe questions you may have! 🙂
Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies
Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Baking sheets
- Rolling Pin
- Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter
Ingredients
- 300 g (2 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 226 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp matcha powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Melted white chocolate for decorating optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk all-purpose flour and salt. Set aside.
- Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, matcha powder and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Add the dry ingredients all at once then mix on medium low speed until combined.
- Divide dough in half then shape into flat discs. Wrap each tightly with plastic wrap then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and place on a baking sheet then freeze for at least 5 minutes.
- Bake cookies for 15 minutes then allow to cool completely (my cookies were 3 inches but you may have to adjust the baking time if your cookies are smaller/larger). Repeat with the second disc of dough. You can reroll the dough scraps up to 2 more times. If desired, decorate cookies with melted white chocolate.
Notes
- Weigh your ingredients using a kitchen scale! Measuring ingredients by volume is not accurate.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter. You can use salted butter, just be sure to omit the 1/2 tsp salt.
- Store Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.
- Matcha shortbread dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a zip-top bag can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking.
Very creative and yummy recipe! They came out great!
Thanks Anthony!
Loved the crispiness of this cookie. Also, avoiding food coloring was a plus for me! I will definitely make these again.
Thank you so much Lori!!