I absolutely love this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe because it’s like a little green tea dream come true in cookie form! The vibrant matcha flavor pairs perfectly with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate chips, creating a cookie that’s both unique and comforting. Whenever I make these, whether for a casual afternoon treat or a special gathering, they almost instantly disappear because they’re that good.
You’ll find that these cookies strike a great balance between crumbly and tender with an irresistible hint of matcha’s earthy bitterness. Plus, the process is straightforward — just a bit of chilling time to help perfect the texture. Whether you’re a matcha lover or curious to try something new, this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe is definitely worth keeping in your baking rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Pairing: The earthy matcha and sweet white chocolate create a balanced, mouthwatering taste.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything exotic—just pantry staples and quality matcha powder.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can chill or freeze, making it perfect for prepping in advance.
- Great Texture: Perfectly tender edges with crisp, light centers every time you bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe plays a role in building its delicate flavor and perfect texture. Using high-quality matcha powder really makes the green tea flavor shine, while good white chocolate chips bring that lovely creamy sweetness. Here are some tips on what to look for while shopping.
- All-purpose flour: Make sure to weigh or measure it correctly for consistent cookie texture.
- Matcha green tea powder: Use ceremonial-grade or a good-quality culinary matcha for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and smooth dough.
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt: It enhances flavors without being overpowering; a pinch goes a long way.
- Confectioners’ sugar: It blends smoothly into the butter to give cookies a tender crumb and subtle sweetness.
- Egg yolks: Use large, room-temp yolks to help bind the dough and add richness.
- White chocolate baking chips: Opt for good-quality chips to avoid plastic-y aftertastes and get that perfect melt.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe to suit different moods and dietary needs — that’s part of the fun! Feel free to swap out ingredients or play with add-ins based on what you have at home.
- Matcha and dark chocolate: I sometimes swap white chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks to add a slight bitterness that pairs beautifully with matcha.
- Vegan version: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg to make it vegan-friendly, though textures shift slightly.
- Nutty twist: Adding chopped pistachios or almonds complements the matcha and adds a wonderful crunch.
- Matcha frosting: For a special occasion, top the cookies with a simple cream cheese matcha frosting for an elegant touch.
How to Make Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by mixing your all-purpose flour and matcha powder together, then sift them to avoid any lumps or clumps. This simple step is key for distribute the matcha evenly and ensures your cookies bake with that pretty, consistent green color. I remember the first time I skipped sifting — the texture felt off, and the color wasn’t as vibrant, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Salt
In your mixer, beat softened unsalted butter until creamy and smooth — this usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Then add the pinch of kosher salt and confectioners’ sugar and beat until everything becomes light and fluffy. This step creates air pockets that make the cookies tender, so be patient and don’t rush it. You’ll want the mixture to look soft and pale before moving on.
Step 3: Incorporate Egg Yolks and Dry Mix
Add the two room temperature egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, gradually sift in your flour and matcha blend. Be gentle here — mix just until you don’t see any flour streaks. Overmixing can make the dough tough, and no one wants that with delicate matcha cookies.
Step 4: Fold in White Chocolate Chips
Finally, fold in the white chocolate chips gently. I like to use a spatula here to keep from breaking the chips or overworking the dough. This is where the cookie gets its signature sweet, creamy pops of flavor.
Step 5: Shape and Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each into a cylinder about 1½ inches in diameter. Wrapping the logs tightly in plastic wrap is crucial before chilling. I discovered placing my logs on a bed of uncooked rice helps keep the shape nicely rounded so the cookies bake evenly. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours — this step is non-negotiable if you want those perfect slices and crisp edges.
Step 6: Slice and Bake
When chilled, slice your dough into rounds roughly ⅓ inch thick. If the logs feel too hard to slice, let them rest a few minutes at room temperature — this makes slicing easier without squishing the cookies. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 350ºF (175ºC) until edges turn slightly golden, about 15 minutes. The smell that fills your kitchen at this point is pure magic.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully helps them set properly, giving you that satisfying crunch with each bite.
Pro Tips for Making Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Weigh Your Ingredients: Using a kitchen scale takes the guesswork out and helps you achieve consistent cookie texture every time.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling firms up the dough so cookies hold their shape and develop the ideal crumb.
- Use Room Temperature Egg Yolks: This helps the ingredients emulsify better, making the dough easier to mix.
- Slice with a Sharp Knife: A sharp blade gives neat edges and prevents squishing the dough, keeping cookies pretty and uniform.
How to Serve Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
I usually serve these cookies as is because their matcha-green beauty speaks for itself. But if you want to dress them up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a small drizzle of melted white chocolate can add a pretty finishing touch without overwhelming the green tea flavor.
Side Dishes
These matcha cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of jasmine tea or a creamy matcha latte to double down on the flavor. For a brunch or dessert platter, I like adding fresh berries and whipped cream to balance the cookies’ sweetness and earthy notes.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies in a checkerboard pattern alternating with plain shortbread cookies on a rustic wooden board. It looks stunning and offers variety to guests. You can also stack them in a glass jar with a pretty ribbon – simple yet elegant gifting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature where they stay fresh for at least 4 days. To keep the cookies from getting soft, I add a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
If I want to save the dough for another time, I freeze the unbaked logs tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. They keep well for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, I let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before slicing, which makes slicing easy without fully thawing the dough.
Reheating
To warm up leftover cookies without drying them out, I pop them in the oven at 300ºF (150ºC) for 3–5 minutes. This refreshes the cookie’s crispness and melts the white chocolate slightly, making it taste freshly baked.
FAQs
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Can I use any type of matcha powder for this recipe?
Yes, but the quality of matcha will affect both flavor and color. I recommend using high-quality culinary or ceremonial matcha powder to get that vibrant green color and smooth, earthy matcha taste. Lower-grade matcha might taste bitter or dull and won’t bring out the best in your cookies.
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What’s the purpose of chilling the dough?
Chilling firms up the dough so it’s easy to slice neat rounds that hold their shape during baking. It also helps the butter solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much and creates a better texture with crispy edges and tender centers.
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Can I bake these cookies without chilling the dough?
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. Skipping chilling often leads to cookies that spread too much, become thin and lose that lovely, slightly crumbly texture. The chilling step really makes a difference in the finished cookie.
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How long will these cookies keep?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips stay fresh for about 4 days. After that, the texture starts to soften but they’re still delicious.
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Can I use chocolate chips other than white chocolate?
Absolutely! While white chocolate chips are traditional here, dark or milk chocolate chips also work nicely. They’ll change the flavor balance a bit, so choose based on your preference.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe a try because it has quickly become one of my favorites to bake and share. There’s something so satisfying about combining matcha’s rich, green tea flavor with the sweet creaminess of white chocolate in these tender, crumbly cookies. When you make batches of these at home, I think you’ll find, like me, it’s an easy way to impress friends or simply treat yourself to a peaceful moment of indulgence. Happy baking!
PrintMatcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully tender matcha cookies infused with vibrant green tea powder and studded with creamy white chocolate chips. These cookies feature a rich buttery base balanced with subtle sweetness, perfect for a sophisticated treat or afternoon snack. The dough requires chilling to enhance flavor and texture before baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (please weigh your flour)
- 2 1/2 Tbsp matcha green tea powder (about 15 g)
- 1 pinch Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 130 g confectioners’ sugar (1 cup + 2 tsp)
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (at room temperature)
- 2 large egg yolks (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup good-quality white chocolate baking chips
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 2½ tablespoons matcha green tea powder to ensure an even mixture and remove any lumps.
- Cream Butter: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat ¾ cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Properly softened butter is key for a light texture.
- Add Sugar and Salt: Mix in 1 pinch kosher salt and 130 g confectioners’ sugar, beating well until the mixture becomes soft, light, and fluffy. Scrape the bowl occasionally to blend everything evenly.
- Incorporate Egg Yolks: Add 2 large egg yolks and mix thoroughly until fully combined to enrich the dough.
- Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually add the sifted flour and matcha powder mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender cookies.
- Add White Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in ¼ cup white chocolate baking chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Divide dough into two equal portions and shape each into a cylinder approximately 1½ inches in diameter and 7 inches long. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm to develop flavor and maintain shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set oven to 350ºF (175ºC). If using a convection oven, lower temperature by 25ºF (15ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Slice Dough: Unwrap chilled dough logs and slice into ⅓ inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. If too firm to slice, allow dough to soften at room temperature for about 5 minutes.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange cookie slices spaced roughly 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350ºF (175ºC) for about 15 minutes or until edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
- Store Properly: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to preserve freshness.
Notes
- This recipe is slightly adapted from Okashi Treats by Keiko Ishida.
- It is important to soften the butter adequately before mixing for best texture.
- Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours helps the cookies hold shape and enhances flavor.
- Freezing unbaked dough logs up to 2 months is possible; thaw briefly before slicing and baking.
- Using a bed of uncooked rice while chilling helps keep dough cylindrical and cookie slices uniform.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 126 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg