Description
Delightfully charming Frog Matcha Sugar Cookies combining the earthy flavor of matcha with a classic sugar cookie base. These cookies are crisp on the edges and soft in the center, adorned with chocolate and colorful white chocolate decorations that bring adorable frog faces to life. Perfect for a fun baking project or a whimsical treat to share.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or paste
Decoration
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar for rolling
- 3 tablespoons chocolate (milk or dark), for melting
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate, for melting
- Oil-based red or pink food coloring
Instructions
- Mix butter and sugars: In a large bowl, combine melted and cooled ½ cup unsalted butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar. Stir with a silicone spatula until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add matcha, egg, and vanilla: Add 1 tablespoon matcha powder, 1 room-temperature egg, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or paste to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until no dry spots remain, forming a smooth dough.
- Chill dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking trays: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare sugar for rolling: Pour 4 tablespoons granulated sugar into a small bowl or plate for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop and roll cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion 2-3 tablespoons of dough. Roll each portion in the granulated sugar until coated, then place on the baking tray spaced 3-4 inches apart. For the frog eyes, scoop smaller dough balls (½ to 1 teaspoon), roll in sugar, and place these atop the larger cookie dough balls as eyes.
- Bake cookies: Bake one tray at a time for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are mostly baked through. Once baked, cool the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For rounder cookies, gently press the edges with a spoon while the cookies are still warm.
- Decorate the cookies: Melt 3 tablespoons of milk or dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag to draw eyes and mouths on the cooled cookies. In another bowl, melt 1 tablespoon white chocolate and add a drop of oil-based red or pink food coloring. If the chocolate seizes, stir in a teaspoon of neutral oil at a time until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag and apply blush details on the frogs. Use a piping bag, toothpick, or cookie scribe tool for detail work.
- Enjoy your frog cookies: Allow the decoration to set fully before serving. These charming frog matcha sugar cookies make a perfect whimsical treat or gift.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is melted and cooled to avoid cooking the egg when mixing.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and enhances flavor.
- Using oil-based food coloring in white chocolate prevents seizing; if unavailable, add neutral oil gradually to restore smoothness.
- Sugar coating helps create a delicate crunchy exterior on the cookies.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes per tray (2 trays total about 22 minutes)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Keywords: Frog cookies, matcha sugar cookies, green tea cookies, decorated sugar cookies, matcha dessert, whimsical cookies, fun baking
