Jungle party: Animal butter cookies {no-chill recipe I}

Okay, I know I have a batch of experiments I should have updated in November and ended up pushing back to December. Too many reasons but no more excuses this year :( First post I need to catch up is about these butter cookies. So flavorful and so soft, yet it stays in shape. One thing I haven't been able to achieve is the "no-chill" claim by the original recipe. I hope at some point I can provide some good news. Baking cookies is such a fun activity for friends hang-out, with kids, and special occasions. My first try of no-chill cookie recipe was for my son's first birthday party (which will update soon!), but I am intrigued to try this out when I saw the name "The End-All for Chocolate Cookies Recipe". No-chill mission didn't succeed but still a very tasty recipe – definitely worth trying! I adapted this recipe from Lilaloa's version, and split the batter into two flavors (matcha and cocoa), which taste absolutely amazing. 

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening (optional, if not you can substitute with extra butter)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup cocoa

1/3 cup matcha powder
3 or 3 1/2 cups flour

Steps:

1. Preheat oven at 375 F° (190 C°). Line baking sheets on cookie trays
2. Cream butter, shortening (if you have it) and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well
3. Split dough in half before adding any dry ingredients. Add baking powder and salt and mix again. Add flour 1 cup at a time. For no-chill cookie dough, add 3 1/2 cups flour. If you will chill the dough for later stop at 3 cups
4. Split the flour in half, mix in cocoa powder in one half and matcha in another. Mix until roughly combine. Do not over mix
5. Roll the dough into about 3/16"(about 5mm) thick, and use your desired cookie cutters (I used safari animals and fruits this time!)
6. Bake cookies for 6-7 minutes or until golden brown
7. Remove from oven and cool the cookies on the cooling rack. If you stack them too soon they will get soft from the hot steam

Enjoy!