matcha and ginger sugar cookies

How To Make matcha and ginger sugar cookies

• Step 1
  In advance, remove butter from refrigerator, place in a bowl, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and allow to warm to room temperature (at least four hours or overnight).
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  Step 2
  Take the peeled ginger root and run through a juicer on low speed. Let the juice sit under the spout to catch final drips and allow solids to precipitate out.
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  Step 3
  Whisk together matcha powder, flour (scant by 1 tsp), baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside. The easiest way to measure 2 3/4 cups minus 1 tsp of flour is to add the 1 tsp of matcha powder to the flour measuring cup first.
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  Step 4
  On low speed with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and the sugar in a large bowl. (The more integrated you can get them, the better the cookies will turn out.)
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  Step 5
  Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and 1 tsp of the ginger juice. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients until fully combined.
• Step 6
  Cover the dough surface tightly with plastic wrap (to prevent drying) and place in the refrigerator to chill for two hours.
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  Step 7
  Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove ginger chews from refrigerator, unwrap, and cut into thirds with a heavy knife.
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  Step 8
  Remove dough from refrigerator. Measure out a rounded teaspoon of dough into your palm and roll into a sphere. That is the size of dough ball you are going to be making. Lay the dough balls onto a cookie sheet covered with ungreased aluminum foil, evenly spaced, fifteen to a half-sheet pan (they will expand considerably while baking). Into the center of each dough ball, lightly press one of the ginger chew segments.
• Step 9
  Tip: If you lift each dough ball and set it down again before putting it in the oven, you will reduce the chances of it sticking to the foil. The dough will stay easy to work with if you return it to the refrigerator between batches.
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  Step 10
  Bake each tray for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden. Remove cookies from the oven, allow to cool on the trays for three to four minutes, then remove to racks with a thin spatula and allow to cool fully. Makes about four dozen.
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