If you’re ready to dive into a delightful treat that combines buttery richness with the earthy vibrance of green tea, you have to try this Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe. These tender, crumbly cookies boast a beautiful pale green hue and a subtle sweetness that perfectly showcases the unique flavor of matcha powder. Whether you’re a matcha lover or just looking for a refreshing twist on your go-to cookie, this recipe is a charming way to elevate your baking game and impress friends or family with something a little extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these Matcha Sable Cookies starts with simple yet carefully selected ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role, bringing out exceptional texture, flavor, and that signature green color that makes these cookies stand out.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together while keeping the texture tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Matcha powder: Use high-quality matcha for vibrant color and authentic grassy, slightly sweet flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to creamy perfection for richness and that classic sable crumb.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a softer texture in the finished cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Contributes a slight crispness to contrast the tenderness of the cookie.
- Vanilla extract: A subtle note of warmth and sweetness that rounds out the matcha beautifully.
How to Make Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, matcha powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures your matcha is evenly distributed throughout the dough and avoids any clumps, which is key to that smooth, beautiful color and flavor in each bite.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both the powdered and granulated sugars until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the delicate crumb that makes sable cookies so irresistible.
Step 3: Add the Vanilla
Next, mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined. This little addition rounds out the sweetness and complements the earthy notes from the matcha, giving your cookies lovely layers of flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed. Be gentle here—once everything just comes together, stop mixing to keep the dough tender and soft. Overmixing could make the cookies tougher than intended.
Step 5: Shape and Chill the Dough
Turn the dough onto parchment paper or plastic wrap and shape it into a log about 1-2 inches in diameter. Wrapping it tightly and refrigerating for an hour or more is essential—it firms up the dough for easy slicing and helps those buttery flavors develop fully.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking and keeps your cookies perfectly shaped and evenly baked.
Step 7: Slice and Bake
Once chilled, slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and arrange them on the baking sheet with enough space to spread slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to turn a light golden color and the centers are set but still soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This waiting time lets them firm up just enough while keeping that tender texture that’s signature to sable cookies.
How to Serve Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are stunning on their own thanks to the beautiful green hue, but a dusting of extra matcha powder or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice can add a nice visual pop and a hint of brightness to each bite.
Side Dishes
Matcha sable cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of green tea or jasmine tea, amplifying the matcha flavor. If you want a creamier contrast, try serving them alongside lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a wholesome treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your matcha sable cookies tied with a satin ribbon for beautiful gifting or lay them out on a platter as part of an afternoon tea spread. You can also sandwich two cookies with a bit of white chocolate ganache inside to create an indulgent matcha cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Matcha Sable Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature away from direct sunlight. They stay fresh and crumbly for up to a week, making them perfect to bake in advance for snacks or gatherings.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough or the baked cookies. For dough, wrap the log tightly and freeze for up to a month; slice and bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or stored cookies, warm them gently in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This revives their delicate crumb and buttery aroma without making them hard or overdone.
FAQs
Can I substitute gluten-free flour in this Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe?
Yes, you can try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour, but results may vary slightly in texture. Because sable cookies rely on tender crumb, a blend with xanthan gum works best to mimic the original.
What type of matcha powder should I use?
For this recipe, high-quality culinary or premium-grade matcha powder is ideal. This ensures the best flavor and color without bitterness, making your cookies delicious and visually appealing.
Can I make this dough without chilling?
Chilling is an important step with sable dough to firm it up for slicing and baking. Skipping this will make shaping difficult and can cause the cookies to spread too much during baking.
Are these cookies suitable for kids?
Absolutely! These cookies have a mild, pleasant flavor and are not overly sweet, making them a delightful treat for children and adults alike. Just be sure to use culinary-grade matcha to avoid any overly strong green tea notes.
How long do the cookies keep their best texture?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies keep their delicate, crumbly texture for about 5-7 days at room temperature. After that, they may start to soften, so enjoy them fresh for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe, it might become one of your favorite go-to recipes for a simple yet elegant baked treat. The combination of buttery texture and that unmistakable earthy sweetness of matcha is truly a delight. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch and share the joy with friends or savor them with your favorite cup of tea—they’re just that good!
Print
Matcha Sable Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 18-24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these delicate Matcha Sable Cookies, featuring a tender, buttery crumb infused with high-quality matcha powder for a subtle green tea flavor and a hint of sweetness. Perfectly crisp on the edges and soft in the center, these cookies are a beautiful, elegant treat to enjoy with tea or as a sophisticated snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder (high quality)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder, and salt. Set aside to ensure even distribution of the matcha and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender texture.
- Add the vanilla extract: Mix the vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugars until fully incorporated, enhancing the cookie’s flavor profile.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together to form a soft, smooth dough. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and crumbly.
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap and shape it into a compact log approximately 1-2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the dough is firm enough to slice, which helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Slice and bake the cookies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain set but tender.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. These matcha cookies are delightful with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Notes
- Use high-quality matcha powder for the best vibrant color and authentic flavor.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve proper creaming and texture.
- Do not overmix once flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- Chilling the dough is essential for slice-and-bake cookies to hold their shape and enhance flavor.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a sweeter variation, dust cookies lightly with powdered sugar after baking.
