Hey friends!
Looking for a fun twist on holiday treats? You’re in the right spot!
Today, I’m sharing a delightful recipe for Japanese Christmas cookies.
These little gems are not only cute but also full of flavor!
They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or just to enjoy with a cup of tea.
Let’s dive into this festive baking adventure together!
Possible Ingredient Alternatives
For those seeking a homemade alternative, the chilled sugar cookie dough can be replaced with a simple homemade sugar cookie recipe using flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. This allows for better control over ingredients and accommodates those avoiding preservatives. Matcha green tea powder, a key flavor component, can be substituted with finely ground green tea leaves for a similar taste and color, though the texture may be slightly different. Use about half the amount of ground tea leaves compared to matcha powder. For a lower-sugar option, the confectioners’ sugar can be replaced with powdered erythritol or stevia, adjusting the quantity to taste as these alternatives are often sweeter than regular sugar. Keep in mind that alternative sweeteners may affect the texture and browning of the cookies slightly.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12 minutes |
| Total Time | 22-27 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-850
- Protein: 8-10 g
- Fat: 35-40 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-130 g
Ingredients
- 1 tube chilled sugar cookie dough
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2½ tablespoons matcha green tea powder
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
Take the refrigerated sugar cookie dough out of the fridge to let it soften slightly.
While waiting, put on plastic gloves to keep your hands clean during the next steps.
Step 2: Incorporate Matcha into the Dough
Knead the powdered sugar and matcha green tea powder into the sugar cookie dough until well combined.
This will give your cookies a unique flavor and a beautiful green hue.
The dough should be smooth and evenly colored by the matcha.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough
Place the matcha-infused cookie dough between two sheets of wax paper.
Roll it out to your desired thickness, generally about 1/4 to 1/3 inch.
Use a biscuit cutter to cut out large circles from the rolled dough.
For the wreath shape, use a smaller cutter to cut out a smaller circle in the center of each large circle.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake
Transfer the cut-out wreath-shaped cookies onto parchment-lined cookie sheets.
Place them in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
Step 5: Final Touches
Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet.
If needed, reinforce or reshape the center circles while the cookies are still warm.
Finally, press M&M candies into the center of each wreath cookie to add a colorful and decorative touch.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
Enjoy your delicious and visually stunning matcha wreath cookies with family and friends!
