For the ninth day of 12 days of cookies, we have a recipe for matcha shortbread trees that’s truly decked out. It comes to us from Hadley of Hadley Go Lucky, who documents the stunning creations she makes as a professional baker on her website and Instagram.
From Hadley: I had the amazing opportunity to live and cook with host families in Japan and my baking reflects my time spent there. I love infusing traditional American pastry forms with Japanese flavors, like I do in these matcha strawberry white chocolate shortbread cookies. Earthy matcha is the perfect pairing with ultra-sweet white chocolate and the fruity crunch of freeze-dried strawberries.
Merry Matcha Shortbread
Makes about 12 large cookies
What You’ll Need
2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons matcha powder
¾ teaspoons baking powder
1 large pinch salt
½ cup (1 stick or 4 oz) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon whole milk
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, pulsed a few times in a food processor until they have a crumbly texture
What to do:
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, matcha powder, salt, and baking powder.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and milk, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Mix until combined.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.
Form the dough into a disk and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness, cut out your desired holiday shapes, and place them on the sheets (I used tree shapes, which go perfectly with the green color from the matcha). Bake for 10 minutes, or until slightly brown around the edges.
Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until liquid. Drizzle onto cookies, using a spatula (because the chocolate dries quickly I don’t recommend using a piping bag).
Sprinkle freeze dried strawberry dust onto the chocolate while still wet. Brush off any excess. Let dry for at least 30 minutes.
Give to Santa! Don’t forget to leave him a sweet note…
Show us what you’re baking this holiday season! Use the hashtag #FD12DaysOfCookies on Instagram.
And don’t forget to enter the 12 Days of Cookies giveaway for the chance to win a $100 FreshDirect gift card. Head to the giveaway post on the @freshdirect Instagram and tag a friend in the comments to submit your entry. See the full contest rules here.