Description
Delight in these buttery, crumbly Matcha Cookies featuring the vibrant earthiness of high-quality matcha powder. Perfect for an afternoon snack or gifting, this easy-to-make recipe combines simple pantry staples to deliver irresistibly soft and colorful treats with customizable options to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder (high-quality, fine powder)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan version)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (or 1 flaxseed “egg” for vegan version)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins & Variations
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips (for white chocolate matcha variation)
- ⅓ cup chopped almonds or pistachios (for nutty twist)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for matcha and lemon zest variation)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure all ingredients carefully. Soften the butter to room temperature. Sift together the all-purpose flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt to remove lumps and ensure even flavor distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer or a hand whisk, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This aerates the mixture and helps create cookies with a tender crumb.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain the desired texture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until you achieve a smooth, uniformly green dough without overworking it.
- Shape and Chill: Roll the dough into small balls about one tablespoon each. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden while centers remain soft. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use high-quality matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies; fold gently.
- Chilling the dough helps control spreading during baking.
- Underbaking slightly ensures a chewy center that complements the matcha texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep freshness for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg