Matcha Shortbread Turtle Cookies

So, one thing I love about Instagram is that it's a treasure trove of dessert inspiration. Some amazingly talented people showcase the most inventive concepts there, and when I saw @samanthachiu's adorable turtle cookies, I had to give them a try!

These cookies have a very simple base: just flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, with the addition of matcha powder for its lovely flavor and grassy green color. What drew me to this concept in particular was its absolute simplicity - no fancy tools needed, and no drawing skills needed! (This is a big limitation for me... I adore all of the amazing iced creations I see, with immaculate artistry and detail - but I definitely lack a steady hand when it comes to icing!)

I also have a strong desire to make all the matcha things ever since I came back from Tokyo earlier this year with a couple of bags of matcha powder as part of my personal haul. This was the perfect thing - tasty, cute, and artistically attainable!

A fork is used to create the "shell" pattern, much like you would in a classic peanut butter cookie, and small balls of dough are added to make the arms, feet, and head. I used a skewer to poke in little eyes.

I did chill these for about half an hour before baking, but my turtle babies still came out a bit chubby! They are fat and beautiful and delicious :)

Matcha Shortbread Turtle Cookies

adapted from @samanthachiu

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp matcha powder

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

2. Stir in vanilla extract and matcha powder. 

3. Add flour and mix well until a dough comes together.

4. Taking 3/4 of the cookie dough and roll into balls, placing them on a baking sheet about 2"-3" apart.

5. Use a fork and gently press the tines into each cookie dough ball, then repeating at a 90 degree angle to get the crosshatch ("turtle shell") effect. 

6. Using the remaining 1/4 of the cookie dough, roll small balls and place them around each cookie to form the arms, legs, and heads.

7. Use a toothpick or skewer to poke "eyes" into each turtle's head.

8. Chill the cookies for 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350F.

9. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.

These were such fun to make (and eat)! As an added bonus, here's a final photo of one little green turtle living his best life in his mud hill (chocolate ice cream) habitat!