Matcha Cookies & Books Through Bars
Books Through Bars
Books Through Bars is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that aims to reverse the
devastating effects taht injustice and incarceration has on individuals, families, and communities. They distribute free books and educational materials to prisoners in seven states. They also conduct innovative programs to encourage to think critically and engage in creative dialogue about imprisonment and the criminal justice system. Their work fosters transformation within and outside of the prison walls. Every month, Books Through Bars receives about 1300 letters from inmates requesting books, and the organizination sends out an average of 9000 packages with 3-4 books in each. The best part -- they are located in Philly, right next to Penn's campus at 47th and Baltimore. My Penn friends, go volunteer with Books Through Bars every Tuesday night 7:30 - 9:30 pm, or every 1st & 3rd Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Website: www.booksthroughbars.org
I'm a little ashamed that I'm writing about something I made as a Christmas present on Presidents' Day, but I think when you taste these you'll agree that late is better than never :)
My boss absolutely loves matcha, so for Christmas this year, I knew I wanted to make her something matcha-inspired. I started with a simple sugar cookie recipe and added matcha. I didn't actually have matcha powder, so I cut open good quality green tea bags, and used a spice grinder to grind up the leaves. The result is a cookie thats firm yet soft and chewy on the inside, has a pretty kelly green color, and a mild green tea flavor.
Matcha Cookies
Adapted from YammieNoshery
Yield: About 20 cookies
You'll Need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter (just leave it on the counter for a couple hours)
About 2 teaspoons of matcha powder (I ground the leaves of 4 green tea bags)
3/4 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
If you choose to drizzle chocolate on top (they don't need the chocolate, but it looks nice :) ), grab some semisweet or dark chocolate chips.
Let's Get Cookin:
1. Preheat the oven to 375
2. Mix together the butter and the matcha until smooth.
3. Add the sugar and mix until smooth
4. Add the vanilla and the egg and mix until combined
5. Mix together the dry ingredients and add them to the batter until combined.
6. Use a spoon to create little balls of dough onto a cookie sheet.
7. Bake for about 7 minutes, or when the edges begin to brown slightly. When they're done, lay the cookies on a drying rack so they can cool completely.
8. While your cookies cool, heat up your chocolate. Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 30-sec intervals. You shouldn't need to do this many times. You don't want to burn the chocolate! But, if you do-- don't worry, just add a splash of cold milk to the mixture and stir. Problem solved :)
9. Drizzle the chocolate overtop and you're all done! I packaged mine in a mason jar so it made for a cute present, but you could just serve on a plate and call it a day!
Enjoy!