Russian Green Tea, Tea Cookies

Russian Green Tea, Tea Cookies

Although we way, from time to time, wring your ears out about how good green tea is for you, here's a recipe that finally makes it decadent! In this interesting spin on traditional Russian tea cakes, Matcha Green Tea powder is used to give the cookies a rich and sweet flavor that is to die for. Having these cookies with a cup of green tea may be a bit much, so enjoy them instead with another of your favorite hot beverages!

Recipe makes: 2 dozen cookies (24 cookies) Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup butter, unsalted 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 2 cups flour, sifted 2 tablespoons of Match Green Tea powder (available at all Asian supermarkets and some grocery stores) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup of pistachios, chopped Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, or 162 degrees Celsius. Then, in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixture, cream the butter together with the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the confectioner's sugar, flour, salt and Match tea powder. Once it's mixed well, begin to gradually add the dry mixture to the butter and vanilla until they are well combined. Finish off by mixing in 1/2 cup of pistachios. Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm the dough (this is a crucial step to getting the right texture for the cookies). Bake the cookies for 20 minutes or until the edges are very lightly browned. Then remove the cookies from the baking sheets and immediately roll them in the extra powdered sugar. Place them on a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes and roll the cookies in sugar again before serving. Enjoy your sweet and delicious green tea treats!