Recipes and Cooking Matcha-Ginger Balls Matcha is known for its creamy and astringent-tasting notes. The distinctive green tea powder in this low-sugar cookie recipe has some serious health benefits. The green tea is rich in antioxidants shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce heart disease risk. By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on August 2, 2021 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jason Donnelly Hands On Time: 30 mins Chill Time: 1 hrs Bake Time: 10 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins Servings: 42 Yield: 42 cookies Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients ½ cup shortening 1 tablespoon matcha (green tea powder) 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 2 tsp. ground ginger 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 teaspoon lemon zest ¾ cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour Green food coloring (optional) Unsweetened cocoa powder Directions In a large bowl combine first five ingredients (through lemon zest). Beat with a mixer on medium until combined. Add brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Beat in baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat in eggs. Beat in flour and, if desired, food coloring. Cover and chill 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough in 1-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Remove; cool on a wire rack. Lightly dust with cocoa powder. To Store Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Rate it Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 69 Calories 3g Fat 10g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 42 Calories 69 % Daily Value * Total Fat 3g 4% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Cholesterol 9mg 3% Sodium 45mg 2% Total Carbohydrate 10g 4% Total Sugars 4g Protein 1g Vitamin C 0.2mg 1% Calcium 12mg 1% Iron 0.5mg 3% Potassium 21mg 0% Folate, total 14.8mcg *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.