Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies {Green Tea White Chocolate Cookies}

See how to make the best matcha chocolate chip cookies! These chewy green tea chocolate cookies sugar cookies taste delicious and unique thanks to matcha powder and white chocolate chips in the cookie dough. The matcha cookie recipe has crispy edges and buttery, soft centers. So good!

Matcha Green Tea Chocolate Chip Cookies

These matcha white chocolate chip cookies are buttery sugar cookies infused with the intricate aroma of matcha and white chocolate chips. The green tea cookies come out soft and chewy, with a delicious earthy, slightly floral flavor.

This easy matcha recipe is a fun take on classic chocolate chip sugar cookies and will be made in no time as the cookie dough just take 15 minutes to prepare. And if you have any matcha leftover, try my matcha madeleines, green tea fat bombs, matcha brownies, or this iced matcha latte from my friend Christie of Christie At Home.

Ingredients for chocolate chip matcha cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to make matcha chocolate chip cookies (the exact measurements and full green tea cookies recipe are below in the easy to print recipe card):

• Matcha is a green powder made from compressed tea leaves. I prepared the cookies with culinary-grade matcha. This variety of matcha is cheaper and more intensely flavored than ceremonial grade matcha.
• White chocolate chips: Matcha and white chocolate taste irresistible together. I discuss other chocolate options below.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar is made with a touch of molasses and adds more moisture to baked goods. I prefer light brown sugar for this matcha baking recipe. However, you can use dark brown sugar as well.
• White sugar: Granulated sugar helps the cookies to spread and makes the edges crispy and delicious.
• Butter: Use high-quality unsalted butter without any additives. Kerrygold is my go-to butter for baking, but Land O’Lakes, Trader Joe’s, Cabot, and 365 unsalted butter are great options as well.
• Egg: If you live in the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, use a large egg. Those living in the UK and Europe should choose a medium egg.
• All-purpose flour (plain flour) makes the best chewy matcha chocolate chip cookies. I don’t recommend cake flour and self-rising flour as they will change the texture too much.
• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is the leaving agent in this easy chocolate chip cookie recipe. You can use baking powder if you don’t have baking soda.

Optional ingredients

Let’s talk about optional ingredients:

• Vanilla extract: The cookies taste perfectly scrumptious without vanilla extract. However, you may add 1 tsp if preferred.
• Fine sea salt: I also like to skip salt for this recipe. But you can either add 1/2 tsp fine sea salt to the cookie batter or sprinkle the cookies with sea salt after baking.
• Lemon zest or lemon extract: Matcha pairs beautifully with the tangy flavor of lemons. You can add the freshly grated zest of 1 organic lemon or 1/2 tsp lemon extract to the cookie recipe.

Where do I get matcha powder?

You can buy green tea powder in some supermarkets (check the tea aisle), as well as specialty tea shops and Japanese/Asian grocery stores. Matcha powder is also readily available online.

What chocolate goes well with matcha?

Take your pick! White chocolate is my favorite, so I went with matcha white chocolate cookies. But you can certainly choose another type of chocolate.

• White chocolate offsets the slight bitterness of matcha powder and creates a lovely creaminess.
• Milk chocolate adds a mild chocolate flavor without overpowering the matcha.
• Semisweet, bittersweet, and dark chocolate create a rich chocolate aroma that complements matcha’s earthiness perfectly.
• Matcha chocolate chips: Michelle from Sift and Simmer has a lovely recipe for homemade matcha chocolate chips, which would be absolutely delicious in this green tea cookie recipe.

In any case, choose the best chocolate you can get. Chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, and chocolate wafers can be used interchangeably. Chopped chocolate or fèves will melt into chocolate puddles but work nonetheless.

Tools for matcha white chocolate cookies

To bake the best matcha white chocolate chip cookies, grab the following equipment:

• Mixing bowl: A large glass mixing bowl is best.
• Mixer fitted with beaters. A stand mixer (with the paddle attachment) can also be used to prepare the cookie dough.
• Rubber spatula
• Cookie scoop: I used the smallest scoop from this set of 3.
• Parchment (baking) paper or a reusable silicone baking mat
• Cookie sheet (tray): Use an aluminum baking sheet. Dark (nonstick) baking trays will brown the cookies too much.

How to make matcha chocolate chip cookies

Here are the simple steps for how to make matcha chocolate chip cookies from scratch:

Step 1: Prep work

• Set the oven to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4.
• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment (baking) paper or nonstick baking mats.
• Measure the ingredients.

Step 2: Make the cookie dough

• Add the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.
• Cream until light, fluffy, and doubled in volume, for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Pour in the egg. Combine at high speed for 1 minute until the mixture is creamy. Use your spatula to scrape the sides.
• Add the matcha powder, all purposes flour, and baking soda. Using the spatula or a spoon, mix the ingredients until the dough comes together. Tip: Incorporating the flour by hand ensures the cookies are soft and chewy.
• Fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough until they are evenly distributed throughout.

Step 3: Assemble the cookies

• Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough into balls.
• Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 1 1/2 in / 4 cm of space between the scoops as the cookies will expand while baking.

Step 4: Bake the cookies

• Bake the matcha chocolate chip cookies, one pan at a time.
• The cookies need 10 to 15 minutes in the oven. The edges should be set when done, but the centers can still seem a little soft and wobbly.
• Let cookies cool on the cookie sheet (tray) for 10 minutes or until the cookies are firm enough to handle.
• Transfer the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

Step 5: Serve and store

• Serve the chocolate chip matcha cookies warm or at room temperature.
• You can store the cookies in a Ziplock bag or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips for the best green tea match chocolate chip cookies

How to get perfectly round cookies

A cookie scoop ensures that all cookies are evenly sized and perfectly round. Try these tricks:

• Pack the cookie scoop with dough. You don’t want any air or gaps, so tightly press and pack the dough into the scoop.
• Scrap off any excess dough at the rim of the mixing bowl.
• Release the cookies onto the baking sheet. If you see any dough sticking out, gently push it back into the dough ball.

Bake one pan at a time

Baking one cookie sheet at a time helps the cookies bake more evenly and avoid burnt bottoms or raw centers.

Extra chocolate chips

Want your matcha cookies to look exactly like mine? Simple! Reserve a few chocolate chips. Then press the chocolate chips into the warm cookies immediately after taking them out of the oven. At this point, the cookies are still pretty soft, and the chocolate chips stick perfectly.

FAQ

How many cookies does the recipe make?

This green tea chocolate chip cookie recipe is enough for approximately 32 cookies.

Do I need to chill the matcha cookie dough?

No, you don’t need to chill this matcha chocolate chip cookie recipe. The dough is relatively firm and can be used right away.

Why is your matcha cookie brown?

As you can see in the pictures, the matcha cookie dough is green, and the cookies stay green after baking. A little browning around the edges is perfectly normal. However, there are a few things that can make matcha cookies brown rather than green.

• Matcha powder: Good-quality matcha can be pretty expensive, but the quality of the matcha powder is essential to give the matcha cookies recipe a vibrant green color.
• Oven temperature: Ovens can be off the set temperature and cook at a higher than indicated temperature. If that’s the case, try compensating by reducing the oven temperature by 50°F / 10°C. An oven thermometer can help you determine where the temperature is at.
• Baking time: Cookies will also brown if they bake too long. So, check your cookies regularly while baking and remove them from the oven once you see some caramelization around the edges. Mine need exactly 13 minutes, but yours might be a little longer or shorter.
• Dark nonstick baking sheets: Avoid baking your cookies on dark/nonstick baking pans. Dark pans absorb more heat from the oven and promote browning. Instead, use a light aluminum baking sheet (tray).

Why are my matcha cookies crumbly?

Crumbly, dry matcha chocolate chip cookies mean that you probably added too much flour. A digital kitchen scale is your best friend when it comes to measuring ingredients for baking.

If you measure flour with a cup, use the spoon and level method:

• Light spoon flour into the measuring cup.
• Then use a straight edge to level off any excess flour.
• Do not pack or compress flour into the measuring cup.

Do matcha cookies have caffeine?

Yes, but it won’t have the same effect as caffeine from coffee. The caffeine in matcha is released at a slower rate compared to coffee. I’ve enjoyed several matcha cookies at a time and noticed no difference.

Can I make the matcha chocolate chip cookie recipe with almond flour or gluten-free flour?

I’m afraid almond flour isn’t suitable for this green tea chocolate chip cookie recipe. I haven’t tried gluten-free alternatives, but it’s possible that a GF flour blend might work. Please leave a comment if you try it so I can update the post.

What about vegan butter or coconut oil?

I haven’t tried either, so I can’t say for certain. However, coconut oil will change the texture and taste.

Storage instructions

How to store matcha white chocolate chip cookies

To keep your matcha chocolate cookies soft and chewy, put them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. Wait until cookies have cooled completely before packaging because condensation can soften the cookies.

How long do matcha cookies with chocolate chips last?

Baked matcha white chocolate cookies keep well for several days. The green tea chocolate cookies will last for up 7 days at room temperature.

Can I freeze baked matcha cookies recipe?

Yes, you can definitely freeze these tasty matcha cookies. Place the baked green tea white chocolate cookies in an airtight food container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How long can you store cookie dough in the fridge?

You can store raw chocolate chip matcha cookie dough in the fridge for up to 2 days. Be sure to keep the matcha cookie dough in an airtight container, or cover the bowl with plastic wrap/cling film to protect the dough from drying out.

Can you freeze matcha white chocolate cookie dough?

Yes! To freeze raw matcha chocolate chip cookie dough, arrange portions of cookie dough on a lined baking sheet (tray), and freeze for 2 to 3 hours or until solid. Transfer the frozen cookie dough scoops into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

To bake the frozen green tea cookies recipe, place the frozen dough scoops and bake in a preheated oven for 12 to 16 minutes.

More cookie recipes

If you like these matcha chocolate cookies, you might also enjoy our other cookie recipes:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar
• Meringue Kiss
• Lemon Shortbread Stars
• Homemade Cookie Butter
• Lavender Cookies
• Lemon Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies
• pumpkin white chocolate cookies
• Strawberry Rose Meltaways
• Brookies with Candy
• Classic Sugar Cookies