Description
Delight in the subtle earthiness of matcha combined with the nutty crunch of black sesame seeds in these delicate, buttery Matcha Black Sesame Cookies. Perfectly tender with a tender crumb, these cookies offer a unique twist on classic shortbread, ideal for tea time or an elegant snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 165 g plain flour
- 2 tsp matcha powder (5 g)
- 30 g almond meal
- 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
Wet Ingredients
- 100 g butter, room temperature
- 90 g caster sugar
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Sift the plain flour and matcha powder together into a bowl, then add the almond meal. Mix lightly and set aside to be incorporated later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and caster sugar together until the mixture becomes light, whitish, and creamy. A stand mixer with a whisk attachment works best for achieving this texture.
- Add Egg: Crack the egg into the butter and sugar mixture, then beat well to fully combine and create a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Switch the mixer to a blade attachment, then gradually add the sifted flour, matcha, and almond meal mixture. Mix gently to incorporate without overworking the dough.
- Add Black Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle in the black sesame seeds and fold them into the dough carefully, preserving an even distribution without overmixing, which could toughen the dough.
- Shape Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions and form each into a ball. Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap, then roll into a long cylinder approximately 4 cm in diameter or mold into a square shape.
- Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Slice Dough: Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and slice into 5 mm thick pieces using a sharp knife. Arrange the slices neatly on a baking tray lined with baking paper, spacing them slightly apart to allow for minimal spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 25 minutes until they are firm to the touch and slightly golden on the edges.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. This step ensures the cookies set properly and retain their delicate texture.
Notes
- Using room temperature butter helps to cream it properly with sugar for a tender cookie.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough when adding dry ingredients to ensure the cookies stay light and flaky.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easy slicing and to prevent spreading during baking.
- You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- For added flavor, try lightly toasting the black sesame seeds before adding to the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Keywords: matcha cookies, black sesame, Japanese cookies, almond meal cookies, tea time treats, baked cookies
