Matcha Cream Filled Sugar Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange

Japanese artists like Hiroshige and Shotei have transformed the challenges of winter into masterful works of art.  Although aesthetically pleasing, the discomfort of bitter winds and bone-chilling temps are realities for those residing in Japan. (With the exception of Okinawa and Japan’s southernmost islands.)



Whispers of Spring


So, when spring rolled around for this Ninja Baker (when living in Japan), my spirits lifted. Instead of seeing stark tree branches shivering grey, delicate pink cherry blossoms quivered.  Bushes which had been bare for months, boldly pronounced the start of a new season with fuchsia and red azaleas.



Katsuura, Japan - A small town where cherry blossoms and
Girls' Day are celebrated in a big way.


Although I’ve lived in Southern California for many years, flowers, chirping birds and reminders of spring still bring a rush of gratitude. The miraculous cycles of life and the beauty that appears out of thin air leaves me in awe. And it looks like a few others are also inspired by Mother Nature.

Spring awakenings, coffee and tea are the themes of Laura of The Spiced Life’s Creative Cookie Exchange party today. (Please scroll down to see Laura’s invite to you.) Cookies filled with matcha green tea cream are my offering. I brought color to pale sugar cookies by filling the middles with green tea matcha cream.



Matcha green tea is an anti-oxidant.
Pour matcha powder into hot water, sprinkle matcha into cookies for a double green tea boost.


If you are ready to spring into a new season with a lighter step, my sugar cookies with matcha cream are designed for you. The cookie sandwiches provide a kick of sugar and caffeine.



Sugar Cookies with Matcha Green Tea Cream rest on a plate
fashioned in the form of a good luck hyotan gourd.


Instead of desiring a snooze on the couch, I do believe my cookies filled with green tea cream will keep you alert…and ready to step into the springtime outside your door. Maybe you’ll sniff fragrant flowers! Perhaps you will hug a tree! What is your favorite thing about spring? Love to hear!

Matcha Green Tea Cream Filled Sugar Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange

Time to celebrate! Spring is stepping into our vanilla snow covered world...(With the exception of a few tropical spots on planet Earth.) I've filled sugar cookies with green tea matcha cream and created another reason to celebrate! 

Ingredients: 

For the cookies:

  • 1 package of sugar cookies mix
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup softened butter
  • Colored sugar 


For the matcha cream:

  • 5 tablespoons softened butter
  • 4 ounces ( ½ package of) cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons French Vanilla organic half and half
  • 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
  • 1 cup white chocolate powder (Like the cocoa sold at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf)
Directions: 

For the cookies:
Follow directions for cut out cookies on the package. If there are none, add one tablespoon of flour along with the egg and butter. However, there is no need to roll out the dough. Shape into small balls and flatten with the bottom of a sugar covered glass. 

Tip: The sugar will adhere better to the glass if the bottom is slightly moistened with water.

For the matcha cream:
Beat together the butter and cream cheese until well combined.

Pour in half and half and matcha.

Add white chocolate powder.

Slather on the bottoms of the cookies to make matcha cream cookie sandwiches.

 



 

 

 

A note from Laura, our Creative Cookie Exchange hostess:

The theme this month is Wake from Winter with Coffee and Tea--because unlike last month, now our Spring Fever has some basis in reality! Creative Cookie Exchange has decided to stop using the linky. What this means is that the only way to join in the fun is to become a host. Just contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.

You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:



A sweet bite of green tea and vanilla.


Wishing you possibilities which bloom into beautiful realities. 

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

 

 

Follow on Bloglovin

 

 

Tags: 
matcha green tea cream filled cookies recipe
Japanese
#Creative Cookie Exchange