If you’ve been searching for a delightful twist on classic cookies, this Matcha Cookies Recipe is a must-try. Bursting with the vibrant green color and earthy, subtly sweet flavor of culinary-grade matcha powder, these cookies offer a unique and refreshing treat that’s both comforting and elegant. With just the right balance of sweetness and a tender crumb, they’re perfect for an afternoon snack, a charming addition to tea time, or a fresh twist on dessert that’s sure to impress your friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Matcha Cookies Recipe is wonderfully straightforward because it requires simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and that beautiful green hue that matcha is famous for.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure and a soft bite.
- 1 tablespoon culinary-grade matcha green tea powder: Adds that distinctive earthy flavor and vibrant color.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a tender texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Ensures richness and a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and slight crispness to the edges.
- ¼ cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel depth.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth that complements the matcha perfectly.
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional): Adds creamy sweetness that balances the earthiness of matcha.
How to Make Matcha Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, get your oven going at 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This sets the stage for baking evenly and prevents sticking, which is a small step that makes cleanup and cookie removal effortless.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking them well ensures everything is evenly distributed, which means each cookie gets the perfect hit of green tea flavor with no clumps of matcha powder.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for that soft, tender texture because it incorporates air into the dough while combining the sugars perfectly.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat the egg and vanilla extract into your creamed butter mixture until everything is smooth and well combined. This enriches the dough and helps bind all the ingredients together for perfect cookie formation.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so take care to stop once you no longer see flour streaks but the dough still looks soft.
Step 6: Add White Chocolate Chips
Fold in the white chocolate chips if you’re using them. Their creamy sweetness is a delicious contrast to the mildly bitter matcha and makes the cookies feel extra indulgent.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the centers remain just a little soft. This slight underbaking in the center yields a chewy, moist texture that’s truly irresistible.
Step 8: Cool Down
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting period helps the cookies firm up without losing their tender quality, making them easier to handle and enjoy.
How to Serve Matcha Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Keep things simple by dusting your Matcha Cookies Recipe lightly with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or, for a delicate touch, sift a tiny bit more matcha powder on top. This highlights the stunning green color and adds a gentle sweetness at first bite.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair marvelously with a cup of hot green tea or a milky matcha latte to enhance the tea flavors. For a sweeter contrast, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side turns this into a perfect dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies on a pretty plate tied with a thin ribbon for a charming gift or arrange them alongside bite-sized mochi for a Japanese-inspired treat platter. Either way, their eye-catching green shade and unique flavor will be the star of any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain that ideal chewy texture, place a slice of bread in the container—its moisture helps the cookies stay soft.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies by layering them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Reheating
Warm frozen or refrigerated cookies for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back their delightful softness and makes them taste freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this Matcha Cookies Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with pastry flour or a gluten-free flour blend to suit your dietary needs, but keep in mind the texture and rise may vary slightly.
What can I use instead of white chocolate chips?
Dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts like macadamia or almonds are excellent alternatives; they complement the matcha’s earthy notes and add extra texture to the cookies.
How strong is the matcha flavor in these cookies?
The flavor shines through subtly with 1 tablespoon of matcha powder, but you can easily increase the amount to 1 ½ tablespoons for a bolder, more pronounced green tea taste.
Are these recipes suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely! This Matcha Cookies Recipe contains no animal products besides eggs and dairy butter, making it perfect for a vegetarian diet.
Is it important to use culinary-grade matcha powder?
Yes, culinary-grade matcha is best for baking because it provides a vibrant color and balanced flavor without the bitterness that can come from lower-quality powders.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to delight yourself and those around you with cookies that bring a fresh, elegant twist to a beloved classic, this Matcha Cookies Recipe is pure magic. Simple to make yet sophisticated in flavor, these treats are sure to become a favorite indulgence for any occasion. Go ahead and give them a try—you’ll wonder why you didn’t bake with matcha sooner!
Print
Matcha Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful Matcha Cookies combine the earthy flavors of culinary-grade matcha green tea powder with the sweetness of white chocolate chips for a unique and satisfying dessert. Soft and slightly chewy with a delicate green tea aroma, they’re perfect for tea time or whenever you crave a flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon culinary-grade matcha green tea powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, culinary-grade matcha green tea powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined and uniform in color.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, indicating proper aeration.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter-sugar mixture until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients bowl, mixing just until the dough is incorporated and no flour streaks remain to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in White Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly throughout the dough to enhance sweetness and texture.
- Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly underbaked for a soft texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them set and preserving their texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality culinary-grade matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant green color.
- For a stronger matcha flavor, increase the matcha powder to 1 ½ tablespoons.
- White chocolate chips complement the earthy matcha flavor providing a balanced sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can be frozen after baking for up to 1 month.
