If you’ve been on the lookout for a delightful twist on classic cookies, this Matcha Cookies Recipe will steal your heart. The subtle earthiness of premium matcha green tea powder combines beautifully with the sweetness of white chocolate chips to create a cookie that is both vibrant in color and rich in flavor. These chewy, lightly crisp-edged treats are perfect for a cozy afternoon snack, an elegant dessert, or a heartfelt homemade gift that shows off your baking prowess and love for unique flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet crucial ingredients is the first step to creating the perfect balance of taste, texture, and that signature green hue. Each ingredient plays a special role, from the buttery richness to the gentle lift by baking soda and the fresh burst of matcha’s flavor.
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The base that forms the soft, chewy structure of the cookies.
- 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder: Adds that vibrant green color and earthy, slightly grassy flavor essential to these cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and airy, contributing to the perfect texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and moisture that keeps cookies tender.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds necessary sweetness and helps with browning.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Contributes a touch of molasses flavor and chewiness.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough and adds to the soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Lifts the flavor profile with subtle sweetness and warmth.
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional): These little pockets of creamy sweetness offer a delightful contrast to the slightly bitter matcha.
How to Make Matcha Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of the matcha’s vibrant color and flavor throughout the dough.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is where you build the crumbly, tender texture you’ll love in your cookies.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamy sugar mixture until everything is combined smoothly, creating a luscious base for your dough.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients with the wet batter, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Take care not to overmix here to keep those cookies tender instead of tough.
Step 5: Incorporate White Chocolate Chips
If you’ve chosen to add white chocolate chips, carefully fold them into the dough for delightful bursts of sweetness in every bite.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to place evenly sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give the cookies room to spread. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft—the perfect promise of chewy goodness.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them keep their shape while finishing the baking process with gentle heat.
How to Serve Matcha Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of extra matcha powder over the cooled cookies adds a pop of color and intensifies the green tea flavor beautifully. You could also drizzle some melted white chocolate for an elegant finishing touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These Matcha Cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of jasmine tea or a frothy matcha latte to double down on that green tea experience. For a cold option, a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creamy contrast and makes it a perfect dessert for any season.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside some fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or kiwi to complement the earthy matcha notes. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes a charming gift to share the joy of your baking with friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Matcha Cookies Recipe goodies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tender and flavorful for up to four days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their unique taste.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When wrapped well, they can last up to three months without losing their delightful texture.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked feeling, warm your frozen or stored cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This revitalizes the soft centers and gives the edges a slight crisp, just as delightful as when they first came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of white chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While white chocolate offers a creamy sweetness that perfectly complements the matcha flavor, you can swap it for dark or milk chocolate chips for a richer contrast. Just keep in mind that darker chocolates will change the flavor balance a bit.
Is it necessary to use culinary-grade matcha powder for this recipe?
For the best flavor and vibrant color, culinary-grade matcha is highly recommended. It provides the right balance of brightness and a smooth earthy taste. While ceremonial grade is superb for drinking, it can be too delicate and costly for baking.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. You may notice a slight difference in texture, but the matcha flavor will still shine through wonderfully.
Why do the cookies still feel soft after baking?
These cookies are designed to be chewy in the center with lightly crisp edges. The soft center is what makes them so irresistible. Just be sure not to overbake, as this can lead to dryness.
Can I double this Matcha Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! Just double all the ingredients and make sure you have enough baking sheets to avoid overcrowding in the oven. Baking in batches ensures each cookie bakes evenly and maintains the perfect texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the way these Matcha Cookies Recipe combines tradition and treat into one unforgettable bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to matcha, this recipe is a wonderful way to impress your taste buds and your friends. Grab your ingredients, have fun in the kitchen, and prepare to enjoy cookies that are as pretty as they are delicious.
Print
Matcha Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and chewy Matcha Cookies, a delicious fusion of Japanese green tea flavor and classic American cookie texture. Infused with earthy matcha powder and complemented by optional white chocolate chips, these cookies offer a perfect balance of subtle bitterness and sweetness, making them an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your 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, matcha green tea powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined for an even distribution of flavors and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture, beating until fully combined to enrich the dough and enhance flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in White Chocolate Chips (Optional): If desired, gently fold in white chocolate chips to add sweetness and a creamy texture contrast.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, place dollops of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers remain soft to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use high-quality culinary grade matcha powder for the best flavor intensity and vibrant green color.
- These cookies are lightly crisp on the edges and chewy in the center, offering a delightful texture contrast.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
