Matcha Lavender Sugar Cookies Recipe
Delightful Matcha Lavender Sugar Cookies combine the earthy, slightly bitter taste of ceremonial-grade matcha with the sweet, floral notes of lavender frosting. These tender, buttery cookies are perfect for tea time or a unique dessert to impress guests. The dough is subtly flavored with matcha powder and baked until just set for a soft texture, then topped with a creamy lavender-infused frosting tinted a light purple for an elegant finish.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Matcha Sugar Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp culinary-grade matcha powder (1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons can be used for milder flavor)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Lavender Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1–2 Tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp culinary lavender buds
- Light purple gel food coloring (optional)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy clean-up.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha powder. Whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the matcha and leavening agents. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes and is important for a tender cookie crumb.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft, thick dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Scoop and Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out 2-tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll them slightly between your hands, then gently flatten the tops. The cookies won’t spread much in the oven, so shaping them beforehand helps with even thickness.
- Chill Dough: Chill the shaped dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Chilling improves cookie texture and helps maintain a neat, round shape during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the chilled dough rounds spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still appear slightly underdone. Do not overbake as cookies will continue to firm as they cool.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before applying frosting to ensure it sets nicely and doesn’t melt.
- Prepare Lavender Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and continue beating. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream a little at a time until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Mix in the culinary lavender buds and a few drops of light purple gel food coloring if desired for a pretty pastel hue. Spread the frosting generously on the cooled cookies.
Notes
- Use culinary-grade matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant green color.
- Chilling the dough is key to preventing spreading and achieving a tender, soft cookie texture.
- If you prefer a milder matcha flavor, reduce matcha powder to 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons.
- The frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before frosting cookies.
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting.
- Lavender buds can be strained out if you prefer a smoother frosting without floral bits.
Keywords: Matcha cookies, Lavender frosting, sugar cookies, green tea cookies, floral cookies, tea time dessert