These springtime sugar cookies get their green hue from matcha tea powder. (Bruce Wolf, The Cannabist)

Recipe: Matcha tea is the key for these green and tasty cannabis cookies

As we leave winter behind, things are starting to green up. St. Patrick’s Day is upon us to boot, so cooking/smoking of the green is how we’ll roll with this batch of tasty sugar cookies topped with infused frosting.

You can buy sugar cookie dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket, or make up a batch using the recipe we have included here. But really, we are all about the frosting. It’s green, not with food coloring but rather with matcha powder.

Matcha is stone-ground green tea powder with quite a history. Give it a Google. Matcha can be a bit strong for some folks, and a little goes a long way. I was not a fan at first, yet I now love its complex flavor; kind of like my relationship with miso soup.

These cookies are a great way to avoid drinking beer all day and would be perfect for tea time. The cannabutter I used for this frosting was made with the sativa strain Space Queen. Nice uplifting weed with a lemony smell and taste. I am working on a cookbook and I was focused and quite productive. And everything I wrote actually made sense, which was a wonderful surprise!


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Double Green Canna Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen cookies

  • 2 packages of refrigerated cookie dough, softened
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tablespoons cannabutter, softened
  • 4 tablespoons regular unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons matcha powder
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
Directions

1. Place the two packages of cookie dough in a bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon of the matcha powder with your clean hands or a mixer. I also placed the softened dough in a plastic bag and kneaded the matcha into the dough. Now that was fun. Place in the fridge for a minimum of an hour.

2. Heat oven to 340 degrees

3. Divide the dough into walnut-sized balls and place on buttered baking sheets. Press the dough down a bit and bake the cookies till the edges turn light golden brown, about 9-11 minutes. Allow to cool.

4. When cool, frost with the cream cheese frosting.


Frosting

1. In a mixer combine the cream cheese and butters for 5-7 minutes. Add the sugar ½ cup at a time, beating until fluffy.

2. Mix in the matcha powder and vanilla. (A tablespoon or two of matcha powder is just right. With two tablespoons you will have a mild matcha taste, which to me is perfect.)


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Simple Sugar Cookies

If you want to make your cookies from scratch, this is a terrific sugar cookie. Replace some of the regular butter with softened cannabutter if you are so inclined. I am so inclined.

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 2¾ cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon matcha
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

Directions

1. In a large mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the egg, mix and then add the remaining ingredients until fully combined. Chill for at least an hour.

3. Divide the dough into walnut-sized balls and place on buttered baking sheets. Press the dough down a bit and bake the cookies till the edges turn light golden brown, about 9-11 minutes. Allow to cool.

Enjoy!