There’s something magical about baking during the holiday season, isn’t there? The warm oven, the sweet smells filling the kitchen – it’s pure Christmas joy. My Christmas healthy dinner Matcha Wreath Cookies (Dipped & Decorated) have become a holiday tradition in our home. I love how the earthy matcha flavor pairs perfectly with sweet white chocolate, creating a festive treat that’s both delicious and just a little bit better for you. Every year when I pull out my grandmother’s old cookie cutters and start shaping these little wreaths, I’m transported right back to those cozy childhood Christmases. The best part? These cookies look stunning on any holiday dessert table but are surprisingly simple to make!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Healthy Dinner Matcha Wreath Cookies
Listen, I know we’re all busy during the holidays, but trust me – these cookies are worth making! Here’s why they’re my absolute favorite:
- They’re showstoppers on the dessert table – those bright green wreaths dipped in white chocolate scream “festive!”
- The matcha gives them this wonderful earthy flavor that balances the sweetness perfectly (no sugar rush here!)
- They’re easier than they look – no fancy piping skills needed, just roll and shape with your fingers
- Perfect for gifting – I package them in little cellophane bags with red ribbons
- The kids love decorating them (though I have to hide some before they eat all the sprinkles!)
Ingredients for Christmas Healthy Dinner Matcha Wreath Cookies
Let me tell you exactly what you’ll need to make these beauties – I’ve learned through trial and error that quality ingredients make all the difference!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tablespoon high-quality matcha powder (the bright green kind – don’t skimp here!)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (take it out 30 minutes before baking)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (I sometimes use organic cane sugar)
- 1 large egg (room temperature works best)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (the good stuff – not imitation!)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers (for dipping)
- Festive sprinkles or edible pearls (for decorating – go wild!)
Quick tip: Your matcha should smell fresh and vibrant – if it’s dull or brownish, it’s past its prime and won’t give you that beautiful color or flavor.
Equipment You’ll Need
No fancy gadgets required here – just the basics from your kitchen! Here’s what I grab when making these cookies:
- 2 mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients)
- Electric hand mixer (though a sturdy wooden spoon works in a pinch!)
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper (trust me, it’s better than greasing)
- Wire cooling rack (essential for those chocolate-dipped bottoms)
- Small microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate (or use a double boiler if you’re feeling fancy)
That’s it! Now let’s make some cookie magic happen. If you are looking for other healthy holiday options, check out this healthy guacamole shrimp bites recipe.
How to Make Christmas Healthy Dinner Matcha Wreath Cookies
Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and make some holiday magic! I promise these cookies come together so easily once you get the hang of shaping them. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have gorgeous wreaths in no time.
Preparing the Dough
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Now, in a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, matcha powder, and salt until it’s one lovely green mixture. In your larger bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy – this takes about 2 minutes with my hand mixer. Then beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Here’s my trick: add the dry ingredients gradually, mixing until the dough just comes together. If it feels sticky (which can happen on warm days), pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes – but usually, we’re good to go!
Shaping and Baking the Wreaths
Now the fun part! Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. Place it on your prepared baking sheet, then use your pinky finger to poke a hole in the center and gently shape it into a ring. Don’t stress about perfection – rustic wreaths have charm! Space them about 2 inches apart since they’ll spread just a bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges get ever so slightly golden. They’ll still feel soft when they come out – that’s perfect! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, skipping this cooling step leads to chocolate puddles instead of beautiful dipped cookies! For more baking tips, you can research best practices for food safety when baking.
Dipping and Decorating
Once your wreaths are completely cool (this is crucial!), melt your white chocolate in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. Hold a cookie by its edge and dip the top half into the chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Place it back on the rack and IMMEDIATELY add sprinkles or decorations – you’ve got about a 30-second window before the chocolate sets! I like using festive red and green sprinkles, edible gold pearls, or even crushed pistachios for extra crunch. Let them set completely (about 1 hour at room temp) before stacking or packaging. And try not to eat them all while decorating – I speak from experience here!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Healthy Dinner Matcha Wreath Cookies
After making these wreath cookies every Christmas for years, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks! First – if your dough feels sticky, chill it for 30 minutes before shaping. Fresh, high-quality matcha makes all the difference in flavor and color (I learned this the hard way with dull cookies one year!). When dipping, work quickly but gently – those wreaths can be fragile! And here’s my secret: melt extra chocolate because you’ll absolutely want to dip your finger in for “quality testing.”
Ingredient Substitutions
Listen, I get it – sometimes you need to swap things based on what’s in your pantry or dietary needs! Here’s what I’ve tested that works: coconut sugar instead of granulated (though the cookies will be darker), dairy-free butter works fine, and vegan white chocolate melts beautifully. Just promise me you won’t skip the matcha – that’s the star here! For gluten-free friends, I’ve had success with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though the texture changes slightly. If you are looking for a savory healthy option for your dinner, try this healthy creamy broccoli chicken crescent bake.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
Here’s how I keep these wreath cookies tasting fresh and festive! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay perfect for up to 5 days (if they last that long!). I love serving them with a cup of hot green tea or coffee – the earthy matcha flavor pairs so beautifully. They also make gorgeous edible gifts when layered in a pretty tin between sheets of parchment paper. Just be sure to hide a few for yourself first – these disappear fast! For another great holiday side dish, consider this healthy marinated cucumbers onions tomatoes salad.
Nutritional Information
Each of these festive wreath cookies comes in at about 120 calories, with 6g fat (3.5g saturated) and 15g carbs. Remember that exact numbers can vary based on your specific ingredients and decorations. I like to think the matcha makes them practically health food – that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Oh, I get questions about these wreath cookies every holiday season! Here are the ones that come up most often:
Can I use almond flour instead of all-purpose?
I wish! Almond flour makes them too crumbly – they won’t hold that pretty wreath shape. A gluten-free 1:1 blend works better if you need an alternative.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Chances are your butter was too soft or your oven wasn’t hot enough. I always check my oven temp with a thermometer – and don’t skip chilling sticky dough!
Can I make these ahead and freeze them?
Absolutely! Freeze undecorated wreaths in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before dipping in chocolate – frozen cookies make the chocolate seize up.
What if I can’t find good matcha powder?
Look for ceremonial grade (it’s pricier but worth it) or check Asian grocery stores. The cheap stuff turns these muddy green and tastes bitter – not the holiday vibe we want!
35 Matcha Wreath Cookies for a Healthy Christmas Dinner Delight
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicate matcha-flavored cookies shaped like wreaths, dipped in white chocolate and decorated for a festive Christmas treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup white chocolate, melted
- Sprinkles or edible decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until fully combined.
- Roll dough into small balls and shape into wreaths on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before dipping in melted white chocolate.
- Decorate with sprinkles while chocolate is still wet.
- Allow chocolate to set before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Use high-quality matcha for best flavor.
- If dough is too sticky, chill for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion