These easy matcha cookies are the perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and buttery. With their vibrant green hue and soft, chewy texture, they bring a unique twist to your traditional cookie lineup. Made with Japanese green tea powder, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious—and they’re ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Matcha lovers will appreciate the bold, slightly bitter flavor that pairs wonderfully with the rich sweetness of a classic cookie. This recipe is quick, uses simple pantry ingredients, and doesn’t require chilling the dough. Whether you’re baking for fun, gifting, or just want a unique snack, these cookies are a beautiful and flavorful choice. Bonus: they’re easy to customize with white chocolate, nuts, or even a drizzle of glaze.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Matcha powder (culinary grade)
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Fold in white chocolate chips or nuts if using.
- Scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 911 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 20 cookies.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 10 minutes
Total time: 2025 minutes
Servings: 20 cookies
Variations
- White chocolate matcha: Add white chocolate chips for sweetness that complements the earthy matcha.
- Nutty twist: Fold in chopped macadamia nuts, pistachios, or almonds.
- Glazed version: Drizzle cooled cookies with a simple vanilla or lemon glaze.
- Crispy edges: Flatten cookies slightly before baking for a thinner, crispier result.
- Vegan version: Use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
storage/reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 45 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To enjoy warm, reheat briefly in the microwave for 810 seconds.
FAQs
What type of matcha should I use?
Use culinary-grade matcha for baking—it’s less expensive than ceremonial grade and perfect for recipes.
Do matcha cookies contain caffeine?
Yes, matcha contains caffeine, though much less than a cup of coffee. These cookies will have a light energizing effect.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes, substitute dairy-free butter and use a non-dairy chocolate or omit add-ins entirely.
Why are my cookies not green?
Your matcha might be old or not vibrant enough. Use fresh, high-quality matcha for a bright green color.
Can I chill the dough?
Yes, chilling for 30 minutes helps develop flavor and control spread, but it’s not necessary.
Are these cookies soft or crispy?
They’re soft and chewy in the center with slightly crisp edges. For crispier cookies, bake a bit longer.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for a gluten-free version.
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha has a unique earthy, slightly grassy flavor with natural bitterness that pairs beautifully with sweet elements.
Can I add lemon flavor?
Yes, lemon zest or a lemon glaze adds a bright, fresh contrast to the matcha.
Are these cookies good for gifting?
Definitely. Their color and unique flavor make them a beautiful and delicious treat for any occasion.
Conclusion
These easy matcha cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves matcha or wants to experiment with new flavors in their baking. They’re soft, flavorful, and visually stunning—perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. Simple to make and easy to customize, they’re bound to become a favorite in your cookie collection.
Description
These easy matcha cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with that signature green tea flavor. They’re a fun twist on classic sugar cookies and come together quickly with simple ingredients. Perfect for matcha lovers or anyone looking to try something new!
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
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If using, fold in white chocolate chips or chunks.
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Scoop dough into 1½ tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 1012 minutes, or until edges are just set and centers are still soft.
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Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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For a stronger matcha flavor, you can add up to 1½ tablespoons of matcha powder.
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Don’t overbake — cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
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Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
