Description
Delight in the unique blend of earthy matcha and floral lavender with these Matcha Lavender Sugar Cookies. Soft, tender matcha-flavored cookies are crowned with a creamy lavender-infused frosting, creating a perfect balance of subtle bitterness and sweet floral notes. Ideal for tea parties, special occasions, or whenever you crave a sophisticated treat.
Ingredients
Scale
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 for milder flavor)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha powder until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft, thick dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Scoop and Shape Dough: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out approximately 2-tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll them slightly then flatten the tops gently with your fingers. For best texture and shape, chill the dough for at least 20 minutes before baking.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, until cookie edges are set but centers remain slightly underdone. Avoid overbaking for soft cookies.
- Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Lavender-Infused Milk: Warm the milk or cream in the microwave in short 10 to 20 second bursts until just beginning to bubble. Steep the lavender buds in the hot milk for 4 to 5 minutes based on desired flavor intensity.
- Strain Lavender: Strain the lavender buds using a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to extract all the infused milk. Discard buds and keep the milk.
- Make Lavender Frosting: Beat the softened butter with the sifted powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add half of the lavender-infused milk while beating to achieve creamy consistency. Add more milk as needed for proper texture.
- Add Color and Mix: If desired, add a few drops of light purple gel food coloring to the frosting and mix thoroughly until evenly colored.
- Frost Cookies: Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a plain round tip and pipe swirls onto cooled cookies, or spread frosting with a butter knife for a rustic look.
- Store: Refrigerate frosted cookies. If stacking, let frosting set at room temperature first and place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking is crucial for keeping cookies from spreading and maintaining their shape.
- Adjust matcha quantity according to your preference for matcha flavor intensity.
- Use culinary-grade matcha for best taste and vibrant green color.
- Lavender buds should be culinary grade to ensure safe consumption.
- If you don’t have gel food coloring, you can omit it or use natural alternatives like butterfly pea powder.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Let the frosting come to room temperature before serving for a softer texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time for dough)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: matcha cookies, lavender frosting, sugar cookies, floral cookies, matcha dessert, easy cookie recipe, tea party recipe
