Chocolate cream cheese hojicha cookies combine the roasted warmth of Japanese hojicha powder with rich chocolate and tangy cream cheese for a uniquely satisfying treat. This recipe from Senbird Tea produces soft, chewy cookies with complex flavor layers that balance earthy roasted tea notes against sweet chocolate and creamy tang. Whether you are an experienced baker or just discovering hojicha, these cookies offer a memorable way to enjoy one of Japan's most beloved roasted green teas in dessert form.
Why Hojicha Works Perfectly in Cookies
Hojicha is a Japanese roasted green tea known for its warm, caramel-like flavor and naturally low bitterness. Unlike matcha, which can taste grassy or astringent in baked goods, hojicha powder delivers toasty, nutty notes that complement chocolate and butter beautifully. The roasting process that creates hojicha reduces catechins and caffeine, making these cookies a lower-caffeine alternative to matcha desserts. Senbird Tea sources premium hojicha from Shizuoka, Japan, where tea artisans roast bancha leaves at high temperatures to develop that signature amber color and smooth roasted aroma that makes hojicha powder ideal for baking.
Ingredients You Will Need
Gathering quality ingredients is the first step toward exceptional hojicha cookies. The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a tender, moist crumb that keeps these cookies soft for days. Here is everything you need for one batch of approximately 24 cookies.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hojicha powder | 2 tablespoons | Fine culinary-grade from Senbird Tea |
| Cream cheese | 4 oz (113g) | Full-fat, softened to room temperature |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (113g) | Softened to room temperature |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup (150g) | Creamed with butter and cream cheese |
| Brown sugar | 1/4 cup (50g) | Adds moisture and caramel notes |
| Large egg | 1 | Room temperature for even mixing |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Pure vanilla recommended |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups (250g) | Spooned and leveled for accuracy |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon | For slight lift without spreading |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | Enhances all flavors |
| Chocolate chips | 1 cup (170g) | Dark or semi-sweet recommended |
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
These hojicha cookies come together in about 30 minutes of active preparation time. The cream cheese in the dough means you do not need to chill it before baking, though a brief rest in the refrigerator can help with shaping if your kitchen is warm.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, hojicha powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Sifting the hojicha powder first prevents clumps and ensures even distribution throughout the dough. The hojicha should tint the flour mixture a warm golden brown, indicating proper incorporation. Set this bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat on low speed until just combined. The mixture should be smooth with no visible cream cheese streaks.
Combine and Fold in Chocolate
Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. Overmixing at this stage can make the cookies tough rather than tender. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed throughout the hojicha-tinted dough.
Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. The cookies will continue firming as they cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips for Perfect Hojicha Cookies Every Time
The quality of your hojicha powder makes a significant difference in these cookies. Senbird Tea offers culinary-grade hojicha powder that is finely ground specifically for baking and cooking applications. Coarser hojicha meant for brewing may not dissolve evenly into cookie dough. Store leftover hojicha powder in an airtight container away from light and heat to preserve its roasted flavor.
For a stronger hojicha flavor, you can increase the powder to 3 tablespoons, though this will deepen the color of the cookies considerably. Pair these cookies with a cup of brewed Senbird Tea hojicha for a fully immersive Japanese roasted tea experience. If you prefer white chocolate, swap the dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips to create a sweeter contrast against the roasted tea notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hojicha taste like in cookies?
Hojicha adds a warm, toasty flavor to cookies that is often compared to caramel, roasted nuts, or toasted grain. Unlike matcha, hojicha has very low bitterness due to the roasting process, so it blends seamlessly with sweet baked goods. In these chocolate cream cheese cookies, the hojicha creates a subtle earthy background note that enhances the chocolate without overpowering it. The roasted character of hojicha from Senbird Tea pairs especially well with brown sugar and butter.
Can I use hojicha tea leaves instead of powder?
Hojicha powder is strongly recommended over tea leaves for this cookie recipe. Powder dissolves into the dough and distributes flavor evenly throughout each cookie, while whole or ground tea leaves would create an uneven, gritty texture. Culinary-grade hojicha powder from Senbird Tea is milled to an ultra-fine consistency specifically for baking and cooking. If you only have loose-leaf hojicha, you can grind it in a spice grinder, but the texture may not be as smooth as purpose-made powder.
How long do hojicha cookies stay fresh?
These cream cheese hojicha cookies stay soft and fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cream cheese in the dough helps retain moisture, keeping the cookies tender longer than standard butter cookies. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake them directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.
Is hojicha powder the same as matcha powder?
Hojicha and matcha are both Japanese green tea powders, but they differ significantly in flavor, color, and caffeine content. Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves that are stone-ground into a vibrant green powder with grassy, umami-rich flavor and higher caffeine. Hojicha powder comes from roasted tea leaves, producing an amber-brown powder with toasty, caramel-like flavor and roughly half the caffeine of matcha. Senbird Tea offers both varieties, and each creates a distinctly different result in baking.
What chocolate pairs best with hojicha?
Dark chocolate with 60 to 70 percent cacao content pairs best with hojicha because its bittersweet intensity complements the roasted tea notes without overwhelming them. Semi-sweet chocolate chips also work well and produce a slightly sweeter cookie. White chocolate creates a milder, creamier contrast that lets the hojicha flavor shine more prominently. For the most complex flavor, try mixing dark and white chocolate chips in equal parts to get both bitter and sweet notes alongside the roasted hojicha from Senbird Tea.
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ほうじ茶焔
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A roasted green tea powder with a rich, toasty flavor and low caffeine. Perfect for calm mornings, evenings, or gentle focus.
