**Don’t forget to enter the An Edible Mosaic cookbook giveaway http://www.spiciefoodie.com/2012/12/05/10-questions-with-an-edible-mosaic-cookbook-author-faith-gorsky-a-giveaway/ **
Today’s recipe is a fusion of flavors and international words. Merunky is the Czech word for apricots and ever since I first heard it that is what like to call them. Matcha is a fine powder made from ground Japanese green tea. Polvorónes is the Spanish plural form of polvorón -which are shortbread cookies. Often times polvorónes are referred to as Mexican wedding cookies which are made with ground pecans. This version of mine doesn’t include nuts but the recipe is pretty much the same.
Last Spring I not only declared my love for polvorónes but also shared a fusion recipe. That version was made using ground black sesame seeds. If you’ve never baked with black sesame seeds you simply must give it a try. And if you’ve never tasted, drank, cooked or baked with Matcha then drop what you’re doing and go buy some…seriously I mean it. Matcha is the best tasting and smelling green tea and it makes a fantastic ingredient for many culinary purposes. Compared to other teas its expensive but so very well worth it. (You can buy it here Ujinotsuyu Matcha Hagoromo Green Tea Powder In Tin
The velvety green powder pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy dried apricots. I would go as far as saying it is a match made in culinary heaven. Now you combine that match with the nirvana that is shortbread cookies and well you might just faint from excitement. I nearly did…then I ate four two (ahem) more cookies and came to. Have I ever told you how much I love shortbread cookies? I love them so much that if anyone tries to eat the last one I may physically threaten them…just ask my husband about the time he tried to eat my the last Walkers Shortbread. The fact that he stands a whole foot above didn’t deter me, because no one takes my last shortbread…no one! (cuckoo) We’ll enough about my crazy side let’s get to the recipe.
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- ⅛ cup white sugar
- pinch of salt
- 2 tsp Matcha powder
- 6 whole dried apricots (or to taste), finely chopped
- Preheat oven to 180 c or 356f and line a cookie sheet with baking paper. In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, salt, matcha, and apricots until well combined. Pour the melted butter while stirring. Gather the crumbly dough and place on floured surface. Flatten out to an even level and use cookie cutter to cutout cookie shapes. Place on baking sheet and continue until all the dough has been used up.
- Bake in center of oven for 8-10 minutes. Check after 8 minutes and do not allow cookies to brown. Allow to cool before scarfing down. :)
Anyone else feeling faint? I think I need another cookie. While I get my cookie(s) you go check out these awesome cookie recipes. They are all unique and would make a great addition to your Christmas cookie platters.
Basler Läckerli or Gingerbread The Swiss Way by Rosa’s Yummy Yums
Green Tea & White Chocolate Cookies by Just One Cookbook
Chocolate Cookies by Lemons and Anchovies
Speculoos with Nutella Sandwich Cookies by Patty’s Food
Ginger and Cardamom Cookies by SPCookie Queen
Simple Molasses Cookies by Thyme
Springerle Cookies by Cooking Melangery
Orange, Chocolate & Coconut Cookies by Stands of My Life
Cinnamon Chip, Maple, & Oatmeal Cookies by Tutti Dolci
Cranberry Bliss Cookies by Gimme Some Oven
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting by Diethood
Mini Maple-Cinnamon-Walnut Turnover Cookies by An Edible Mosaic
Puerquitos (Marranitos / Mexican Pig-Shaped Cookies) by Girlichef
Chocolate Crinkle Kiss Cookies by Bakergirl
Classic Macaroons by That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
Thank you girls sharing your beautiful cookie photos and yummy recipes! Have a great weekend and happy baking.
Those are amazing cookies! So original. Thanks for the link and feature! :-)
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa for sharing your photo and recipe:)
These are SO pretty! I have always wanted to use Matcha powder, but can’t find it locally. I’ think I’m going to have to break down and order some online. This soft green against the orange of the apricots is just stunning. And yeah, Merunky is a fantastic word. Your round-up of other Christmas cookies is equally mouthwatering, Nancy…thanks so much for including my Puerquitos! :)
Thanks Heather! You can really find it any where online or at Asian markets. Have fun experimenting with tit. My pleasure:)
Such wonderful Christmas cookie ideas…all so beautiful and delicious!!! xo
They sure are, thank Liz!
Your cookies look amazing… just as everything else that you make. Beautiful!!
Thank you so much for featuring my cookies…means a lot to me!
I really appreciate it!
Thank you Kate;) It’s my pleasure as I really loved your photos and recipe.
You have amazing collection of cookies here, I love them all. The photos, the recipes, everything is so beautiful. I am very happy to be a part of it. Thank you Nancy!
Thank you Yelena!
You picked some really pretty cookies to go with your gorgeous shortbreads (thanks for including mine, too!). :) I have been meaning to order matcha powder but always end up forgetting. Not anymore. I want to make these. I’m intrigued by the matcha and apricot combination–now I have to try them! :)
I thought so too Jean. All of these cookies are ones I’d also love to eat. It’s a great combination and I hope you try it soon.
What a lovely cookies, Nancy..love the color and the presentation…real Christmasy treat! I need to find Matcha powder now…
Thank you Sanjeeta!
Very unique shortbread cookies-I love the flavors and colors, so pretty!
Great Christmas cookie round up- thanks for including my speculoos with nutella sandwich cookies;-) I’m off to check out all these amazing cookies!
Thanks Patty! My pleasure and enjoy all the others too.
Thanks for including me amongst all these wonderful recipes. I love Merunky, I thought maybe it meant extra funky, lol. Funky in a good way, lol. I need to order some powder, the Asian grocer is too far now. That pig is too cute. Have a wonderful weekend. Looks like I need to make some new cookies, huh.
-Gina-
My pleasure Gina! Haha, yeppers funky:) You too sweetie.
I love your apricot and green tea cookies! So, so pretty. Thanks for including my cookies in your delicious round-up; I’d like one of each, please! :)
Thank you Laura! I love all of your cookies.
I really love your fusion cookies! I see a lot of fusion food but when it comes to dessert, not so much. I’m a big fan of matcha (well you know me) and your cookies look and sound fantastic! And oh my, what an awesome cookie collection here! I cannot thank you enough for including my Green tea cookie. Thank you Nancy! xo
Maybe because desserts a little more sensitive? Thanks Nami and it’s my pleasure:)
I love the taste of macha, but I’ve never thought to try to integrate it into my Italian-based home cooking. But if you can fuse it with Mexican, why not Italian? Food for thought….
Me too Frank! I would love to see an Italian fusion recipe using Matcha…that’d be great!
This green tea powder looks wonderful… I would love to try it. :) Love all the other cookie links. Have a great weekend. :)
Thanks and you should Ramona!
Never thought a green cookie could look so pretty! I’ve checked out other links, your selections of cookies from other blogs are wonderful!
Thanks Julia, I love all of these 15 cookie recipes. The girls have done such a great job.
fell in love with your black sesame version earlier this year – can’t wait to try these! they look stunning!
Yay! I loved those too and will need to make another batch soon. Thanks and enjoy them Chirstina:)
I love these fusion cookies! The matcha flavor is the perfect polvorone twist!
Thank you Joanne:)
Nancy, you are my hero!
Hehe, thanks Adele:)
I love every single one!
Your green tea and apricot cookies are sensational!
Thank you Angie!
What a beautiful, original cookie. Terrific round-up of ideas as well.
Thank for posting!
Thanks Victoria!
All the cookies look great, but I love the green tea ones!
I agree they all look great. Thanks!
wow what amazing cookies! that combination is mind blowing. those other recipes look amazing too!
Thanks Anna and enjoy the great cookie recipes from our blogging buddies.
Oh these cookies look amazing. I am a HUGE matcha fan so I will definitely be trying these, and many of the great ones posted.
Thanks and enjoy Evelyne.
These are fab cookies. I have a still unopened bag of matcha waiting to be used. This is the perfect recipe.
Thanks Adora and I hope you open it soon.
I’m a big fan of matcha tea as well, such a great ingredient!
The cookies look so so good.
I bet these are absolutely wonderful! I adore shortbread and the lovely flavors you have chosen…beautiful!
They looks so delicious, and really beautiful.
I love your website. So inspiring.
Thank you Kei!