If you’ve been hunting for a cookie that’s both unique and utterly delicious, I promise you’ll adore this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe. It’s that perfect little blend of earthy, vibrant matcha meeting sweet, creamy white chocolate – a combo I first stumbled upon when craving something fresh yet comforting. These cookies are simple enough to make any day, but they come out looking and tasting fancy enough to impress at your next coffee date or cozy night in. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make them just right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Pairing: The subtle bitterness of matcha perfectly balances the sweetness of white chocolate chips for a delightful twist on classic cookies.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: Easy to make with common ingredients but impressive enough to serve for guests or special occasions.
- Customizable Dough: You can chill or freeze the dough logs in advance, which means you can bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
- Perfect Texture: Crispy edges with soft, tender centers that melt in your mouth every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients, but each one plays an important role to create the perfect matcha cookie texture and flavor. When shopping, I always recommend choosing good-quality matcha powder because it really makes a difference – fresh, vibrant matcha gives those cookies their earthy brightness and beautiful green color.
- All-purpose flour: Be sure to weigh your flour or use the spoon and level method to avoid dense cookies – I’ve learned measuring flour too loosely can make the dough dry.
- Matcha green tea powder: Use a quality culinary-grade matcha for that authentic color and flavor; avoid overly bitter or old matcha.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easier mixing, and it ensures a soft, creamy dough.
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavors without overpowering them.
- Confectioners’ sugar: I prefer powdered sugar here for a smoother dough texture and a delicate sweetness.
- Egg yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the dough perfectly.
- White chocolate baking chips: Choose good-quality chips that won’t melt too thinly – these add beautiful bursts of creamy sweetness.
Variations
I love how versatile this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe is. While the classic combo is unbeatable, sometimes I like to switch things up just a bit for different occasions or to match what I have at hand. Feel free to make it truly yours!
- Dark Chocolate Twist: Swapping white chocolate chips with bittersweet or dark chocolate adds a richer, slightly more intense contrast to the matcha.
- Nutty Addition: Adding chopped macadamia nuts or pistachios brings extra texture and nutty flair that pairs beautifully.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use dairy-free butter alternatives and vegan white chocolate chips to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Enhanced Matcha Flavor: For serious matcha fans, sprinkle a tiny bit of matcha on top of each cookie before baking for an extra punch and visual appeal.
How to Make Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Matcha Flour Mix
First off, sift together your all-purpose flour and matcha powder into a large bowl. I love sifting because it aerates the flour and ensures no stubborn clumps of matcha ruin your dough’s texture. It might seem like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference—your cookies will have a light, tender crumb instead of a dense, uneven one.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat your softened unsalted butter until it’s creamy and smooth. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes, and stopping occasionally to scrape the sides helps you get everything evenly mixed. Then add your pinch of salt and confectioners’ sugar. Beat again until the mixture is light and fluffy — you’ll actually see it change texture slightly, almost like frosting. This step is where the cookie’s tenderness starts taking shape.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Next, add your two large egg yolks, beating just until combined so the mixture stays lush. Now comes the fun part: gradually add your sifted matcha and flour mixture, mixing on low speed and only until just combined. Overmixing is the enemy here, so keep an eye on the dough’s consistency — it should come together but still feel soft and pliable without being sticky.
Step 4: Fold in White Chocolate Chips and Form Dough Logs
Gently fold in the white chocolate chips with a spatula. Resist the urge to mix too vigorously here — you want to keep the chips intact so they don’t melt into the dough. Then, divide your dough into two parts and shape each into a cylinder around 1½ inches in diameter and about 7 inches long. I once learned the trick of resting these logs on a bed of uncooked rice in the fridge — it helps keep the shape nice and round, so when you slice the cookies, they look perfect.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Wrap each dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling is key for the texture and flavor development — it lets the fats solidify so the cookies hold their shape during baking and gives the matcha time to mellow into a beautiful, balanced flavor.
Step 6: Slice and Bake to Perfection
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Remove the chilled dough logs and use a sharp knife to slice them into rounds about ⅓ inch thick. If the logs feel too hard to slice, let them sit for a few minutes so the knife glides through smoothly. Place the rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving an inch of space around each cookie.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until the cookie edges have a subtle golden glow. I love this moment — the kitchen fills with the grassy-sweet scent of matcha and vanilla from the white chocolate. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This helps them firm up without breaking.
Pro Tips for Making Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Measure Flour Carefully: I used to scoop directly from the bag and ended with dense dough, so weighing flour or using the spoon and level method really pays off.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Patience here rewards you with perfectly sliced rounds and cleaner cookies that don’t spread all over the pan.
- Use a Sharp Knife for Slices: A dull knife will squish your logs; get clean edges by slicing slowly and gently.
- Avoid Overmixing the Dough: Mix only until combined to keep the cookies tender and crumbly, not tough.
How to Serve Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra matcha powder over the top of the cookies right after baking for an elegant look and a hint of fresh matcha aroma. Sometimes, I’ll drizzle melted white chocolate on top for an extra layer of sweetness that makes these cookies look bakery-worthy without much effort.
Side Dishes
One of my favorite ways to enjoy these is alongside a frothy cup of matcha latte or a classic hot green tea, which complements and enhances the cookie’s flavors beautifully. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert treat that’s easy to assemble and impressive to serve.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged the cookies on a bamboo platter with some fresh edible flowers like pansies or orchids to bring out that botanical vibe of matcha. Wrapped individually in parchment paper tied with a thin ribbon, these make delightful gifts for tea lovers or for a thoughtful hostess present.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After they’ve completely cooled, I store my Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and perfect for up to 4 days, making them great for quick snacks throughout the week.
Freezing
One trick I swear by: freeze the unbaked dough logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When craving cookies, just slice straight from the slightly thawed logs and bake fresh. It’s a fantastic time-saver and keeps that “fresh-from-the-oven” magic alive anytime.
Reheating
If you want to warm up leftover cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300ºF (150ºC) for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This gently revives their softness without drying out that luscious matcha flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of confectioners’ sugar in this recipe?
Technically, yes, but confectioners’ sugar helps make the dough smoother and gives the cookies a softer texture. Using granulated sugar might result in a slightly grainier texture and less tender cookies, so I recommend sticking with powdered sugar if possible.
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What’s the best way to store these cookies to keep them fresh?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat, for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing the baked cookies is also an option—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can adapt the recipe by using vegan butter and vegan white chocolate chips, and substituting the egg yolks with a flax egg or other egg replacers. The texture might vary slightly, but it’s totally doable and still delicious.
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How important is the chilling step?
Chilling the dough is essential. It helps the cookies keep their shape during baking and improves the texture, so don’t skip this step even if you’re impatient like me. The result is well worth the wait.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Matcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe marries something traditional and something playful in each bite. Whenever I bake these, friends always ask for the recipe because they’re not just tasty—they’re something truly special that feels like a little gift made by hand. If you enjoy baking with a twist and want your cookies to have that eye-catching pop of color and layer of flavor, this is the one to try. Trust me, you’ll find yourself reaching for this dough when that cookie craving strikes!
PrintMatcha Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful Matcha Cookies combine the earthy, vibrant flavor of matcha green tea with the sweetness of white chocolate chips to create a perfectly balanced treat. Soft and buttery with a subtle crisp edge, these cookies are ideal for tea time or as a sophisticated snack. The recipe includes a two-hour chilling period that helps the dough firm up for easy slicing and baking, resulting in uniform, beautiful cookies.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plain flour)
- 2½ Tbsp matcha green tea powder (about 15 g)
- 1 pinch Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 130 g confectioners’ sugar (1 cup + 2 tsp)
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened, at room temperature)
- 2 large egg yolks (at room temperature)
Add-ins
- ¼ cup good-quality white chocolate baking chips
Instructions
- Prepare the dry mixture: Sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 2½ tablespoons of matcha powder in a large bowl to ensure even distribution of the matcha and to remove lumps.
- Cream the butter: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat ¾ cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Softening the butter ahead of time is crucial for a smooth batter.
- Add salt and sugar: Mix in a pinch of Diamond Crystal kosher salt and then add 130 g confectioners’ sugar. Beat the mixture until it becomes soft and light, scraping down the bowl occasionally to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate egg yolks: Add 2 large egg yolks to the butter mixture and blend well until fully combined, creating a rich base for the dough.
- Add flour and matcha mixture: Gradually fold in the sifted flour and matcha powder mixture. Mix the dough just until combined, being careful not to overwork it, which helps keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in white chocolate chips: Gently mix in ¼ cup white chocolate baking chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape and chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each into a cylinder about 1½ inches (4 cm) in diameter and 7 inches (18 cm) long. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or until firm. For best shape retention, place the logs resting on uncooked rice during chilling.
- Preheat and slice dough: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator and unwrap. Slice into rounds approximately ⅓ inch (7 mm) thick using a sharp knife. If too hard, let the dough warm slightly for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Bake the cookies: Place cookie slices spaced about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool the cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- The recipe is slightly adapted from Okashi Treats by Keiko Ishida.
- Softening the butter properly is essential to achieving a creamy dough texture.
- Do not overmix once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- Placing dough logs on uncooked rice during chilling helps maintain the cylindrical shape for even slices.
- Frozen dough logs can be kept up to 2 months and baked directly after a short thaw at room temperature.
- Use good-quality white chocolate chips for the best flavor contrast to matcha.
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