• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bakecellence
  • Home
  • About
  • cakes
  • cookies
  • muffins
  • Contact
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » cookies » Matcha Cookies

    Matcha Cookies

    Published: Aug 10, 2022 by Madeeha Anwar

    42 shares
    • 35
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These large and chunky cookies are flavored and paired with unique matcha powder with butterscotch chips. These chewy and crunchy cookies are great with a cup of coffee or tea. They have a beautiful vivid green color, surprisingly aromatic and amazingly delicious. And the best part is you can bake them in 30 minutes.

    cookies stacked on each other showing the texture and color.
    Table of Contents
    • What Is Matcha Powder?
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Substitutions
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Equipment
    • How To Store
    • More Cookies Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe

    I will be honest - while growing up I was not familiar with Matcha powder. It was not until a few years back that I got a chance to try matcha cookies at a friend’s place. I was amazed by the lively, beautiful and vivid green color of the cookies and the flavor just got me hooked on to it. It was earthy, grassy, nutty, fragrant, slightly bitter and green tea-ish. It was different in a unique good way.

    Trying the cookies was a must for me. It took me quite a few tries and adjustments to finalize and approve my flawless version of matcha cookies.

    These big cookies are soft from inside and crispy and crunchy on the outside. The green tea matcha flavor is rightly balanced with butterscotch chips. If you love cookies, you’ll love my Orange Shortbread Cookies, Butter Pecan Cookies, Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies, Nankhatai, Southern Tea Cakes, Pinwheel Cookies, Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and my Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies.

    What Is Matcha Powder?

    • Old Japanese Roots: Matcha powder is a special Japanese green tea with an earthy, grassy, little bitter and sweet flavor. The tradition to use matcha powder has its roots in Japan, where it has been used in the Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries going as far as 12th century.
    • Shade Harvest & No Sunlight: Matcha is from the green tea family but is slightly different than the regular green tea. The main difference between both green tea leaves lies in different harvesting methods. Green tea is requiring direct sunlight to grow, whereas matcha tea leaves flourish under the shade, giving it a subtle and slightly bitter taste, which is beautifully balanced with the sweetness packed in the tea leaves.
    • Steam, Dry & Ground Method: Furthermore, the matches leaves are taken and go through a process of streaming and then drying, which is crucial before putting the leaves in the grinder to get the powder.
    • Caffeine: Matcha powder contains caffeine, but its ratio of caffeine is less than thregular coffee or black tea.
    • Powerhouse of Nutrients: Matcha powder is a powerhouse of nutrients and has rich antioxidant catechins. It is great in protecting the heart and preventing cancer because of its cancer-fighting effects on the body.
    close shot of the cookies on the table.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • Texture: These cookies have thin crispy edges and are gooey and soft in the inside.
    • Easy to Bake: You need a few ingredients to put these cookies together in 30 minutes.
    • Matcha Flavor: These cookies have the aromatic green tea flavor.
    • Perfect Pairing with Butterscotch Chips: The unique matcha flavor pairs well with the butterscotch chips in this recipe. You may use any other chips of your choice as well.

    Ingredients

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    All Purpose Flour – one of the main components of these cookies. Make sure to measure it properly to get best results. I suggest to weigh it on a scale.

    Baking Powder – gives volume to the cookie and helps to lift.

    Baking Soda – helps in the spread of the cookie.

    Salt – enhances the flavor of other ingredients.

    Corn Starch – Helps to keep the cookies soft, crumbly, tender and chewy.

    Matcha Powder – Use fine quality matcha powder. It gives the sweet taste and green color to the cookies. I get mine from Amazon.

    Butter – Use browning method (explained in step-by-step instructions) for intense nutty flavor.

    Castor Sugar – Helps with browning and spread of the cookie and makes crispy cookies.

    Brown Sugar – It helps with moist, tender and crumbly cookie.

    Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor to the cookie.

    Eggs – Use room temperature eggs for this recipe to incorporate better.

    Butterscotch Chips – Use high-quality butterscotch chips.

    Instructions

    These are the pictures and instructions of different steps of this recipe. For detailed ingredients measurement and in-depth instructions please refer to the recipe card at the bottom.

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies
    1. Take a saucepan and on medium heat brown the butter until it turns into golden yellowish in color. At this point transfer the butter into a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    2. In a bowl, whisk together the butter (at room temperature) with sugars, using an electric mixer cream it together for 2 – 3 minutes until it turns light and fluffy. Add eggs, matcha powder and vanilla extract to the batter and mix until combined. 

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    4. Fold in the butterscotch chips. Leave the dough in the fridge for an hour.

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    5. Using an ice-cream scoop, scoop out the cookies on the baking tray at 2-inch distance from each other.

    step by step instruction for matcha cookies

    6. Bake the cookies in the middle rack of the oven at 350 C in a preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes.

    Variations

    Chocolate Chips: I use butterscotch chips for this recipe, but I have used chocolate chips in the past and they taste amazing as well. Replace the butterscotch chips with same amount of high-quality chocolate chips. However, do know that chocolate chips will add a powerful chocolatey flavor to the cookies, toning down the matcha flavor.

    White Chocolate Chips: Use 1:1 ratio of white chocolate chips to butterscotch chips for this recipe.

    Nuts: Add any sort of nuts to the dough such as walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews or macadamia nuts for crunch. Use ½ cup of nuts in the dough.

    Substitutions

    Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make these cookies gluten free.

    Expert Tips

    Brown Butter: Use brown butter in this recipe to get the nuttier flavor and get the crispy edges and gooey center in cookies. Heat the butter on the saucepan at medium heat and wait until it starts showing brown particles in the bottom of the pan. This is the point where you want to stop and set it aside until the butter cools down a little.

    Allow the Butter to Cool Completely: It is important to let the butter cool once you have put it aside from the burner. Do not add hot butter in the cookie or the dough will become too greasy.

    Chilling is Important: Do not forget to chill the cookie dough in fridge for at least one hour before baking the cookies. The chilling will help the flour to absorb the liquids and to harden the butter so that it will not melt quickly (expanding cookies too much) when you place the cookies in the oven.

    Do not Over-Bake the Cookies: Keep an eye on the cookies while they are baking in the oven. The baking time may vary from 9 – 12 minutes but you want to make sure to take the cookies out when the edges turn light brown.

    Use an Ice-cream Scoop: Use the ice-cream scoop for uniform sized cookies set like a line of soldiers on the baking tray.

    matcha cookies showing closely.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why should we use brown butter in this recipe?

    The reason is simple – brown butter helps with crispy cookies that are chewier in texture from inside. It also adds  a nuttier flavor.

    Can I make the dough in advance and store?

    Absolutely. You can make and keep the dough in fridge for a day or you can freeze the cookie balls for up to 3 months. Be sure to freeze the cookie balls separately on a baking tray (until solid) before placing them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. This will prevent sticking of the dough balls.

    Why can’t I find matcha powder in my local grocery store?

    It can be hard to find match powder in local grocery stores but you should be able to get it easily on Amazon. Here is the link to my match powder that I use in my bakes.

    I am confused as I found three different Matcha grades? What are those and what to use in this recipe?

    The three different matcha grades are culinary, premium and ceremonial. As the name suggest the culinary matcha is used for cooking and baking purpose (easily available in market or amazon). The ceremonial matcha is the top quality matcha powder and is basically used for drinking by whisking it in hot water, while the premium grade matcha is made of the premium leaves from the first tea harvest.

    How long the matcha powder will stay fresh and usable for baking?

    The shelf life of matcha tea powder is short. You should consume the opened matcha powder within 30 days of its first use for best optimal results. Otherwise, the tea powder can rancid and taste bitter in baking.

    Equipment

    • Electric Mixer: Use a hand electric mixer to mix up the cookie batter conveniently.
    • 2 Mixing Bowls: You will need two medium sized bowls to prepare the batter.
    • 2 Baking Sheets: This recipe requires two baking trays.
    • 2 Silicone Sheets or Parchment Paper: Use two silicone sheets to spread on the cookies sheets. In case you do not have silicone sheets, use parchment paper.
    • 1 (3 tablespoon or #20/1.6 oz) Ice-Cream Scoop: The best convenient way to get equal sized cookies, use an ice-cream scoop.

    How To Store

    • These cookies will keep fresh in an airtight container for about 3 – 4 days.
    • The cookies will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.
    • Wrap each cookie in a plastic wrap and add a layer of foil. Stash the cookies together in a plastic bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    More Cookies Recipes You'll Love

    • Pinwheel Cookies
    • Lemon Crinkle Cookies
    • Nankhatai Recipe (Indian/Pakistani Cookies)
    • Orange Shortbread Cookies

    Recipe

    cookies stacked on each other showing the texture and color.

    Matcha Cookies

    Madeeha Anwar
    These large and chunky cookies are packed with matcha powder complimented well with butterscotch chips. The unique earthy matcha flavor will make you fall in love with these cookies.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine American, asian, Japanese
    Servings 20 cookies
    Calories 182 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 Baking Trays
    • 1 electric beater

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cup all-purpose flour (240 g)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder (4 g)
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda (3 g)
    • ½ teaspoon salt (3 g)
    • 2 teaspoon corn starch (8 g)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon matcha powder (9 g)
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter (185 g)
    • ½ cup castor sugar (100 g)
    • ½ cup brown sugar (100 g)
    • 2 eggs room temperature
    • ¾ cup butterscotch chips (128 g)

    Instructions
     

    • Take a saucepan and on medium heat brown the butter until it turns into golden yellowish in color. At this point transfer the butter into a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
    • Take a medium-sized bowl and combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and corn starch. Whisk and set aside.
    • In a large sized bowl, whisk together the butter(at room temperature) with sugars, using an electric mixer cream it together for 2 – 3 minutes until it turns light and fluffy.
    • Add eggs, matcha powder and vanilla extract to the batter and mix until combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
    • Fold in the butterscotch chips to the batter.Let the dough rest in the fridge for an hour.
    • Pre-heat the oven at 350 F and line two baking trays with silicone sheets or parchment paper.
    • Using an ice-cream scoop (I use 1.5 oz or 3 tablespoon size) and scoop out the cookies on the baking tray. Remember to keep at least 2-inch distance between the cookies.
    • Bake the cookies for about 10 – 12 minutes until the edges turn light golden in color.
    • Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for about 5 – 7 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    Brown Butter: Use brown butter in this recipe to get the nuttier flavor and get the crispy edges and gooey center in cookies. Heat the butter on the saucepan at medium heat and wait until it starts showing brown particles in the bottom of the pan. This is the point where you want to stop and set it aside until the butter cools down a little.
    Allow the Butter to Cool Completely: It is important to let the butter cool once you have put it aside from the burner. Do not add hot butter in the cookie or the dough will become too greasy.
    Chilling is Important: Do not forget to chill the cookie dough in fridge for at least one hour before baking the cookies. The chilling will help the flour to absorb the liquids and to harden the butter so that it will not melt quickly (expanding cookies too much) when you place the cookies in the oven.
    Do not Over-Bake the Cookies: Keep an eye on the cookies while they are baking in the oven. The baking time may vary from 9 – 12 minutes but you want to make sure to take the cookies out when the edges turn light brown.
    Use an Ice-cream Scoop: Use the ice-cream scoop for uniform sized cookies set like a line of soldiers on the baking tray.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Matcha Cookies
    Serving Size
     
    1 cookie
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    182
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    35
    mg
    12
    %
    Sodium
     
    141
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    29
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    26
    g
    9
    %
    Fiber
     
    0.3
    g
    1
    %
    Sugar
     
    16
    g
    18
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    299
    IU
    6
    %
    Calcium
     
    23
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword matcha cookies, matcha cookies with butterstotch chips
    Tried this recipe? Tag @Bakecellenceon Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter !

    More cookies

    • Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies (Video)
    • Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
    • Cake Rusk (Indian/Pakistani Biscotti Recipe)
    • Turtle Cookies

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    madeeha anwar chaudhry
    Hello and Welcome !!
    I am Madeeha Anwar, a journalist by profession and a baker by heart. I am the founder, recipe developer and food photographer behind this blog.
    Welcome to your new stop for authentic and delicious baking recipes.
    More about me →

      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Mail

      Fresh Bakes

      • Condensed Milk Brownies
      • Turkish Bread (Ramazan Pidesi)
      • Chocolate Covered Pecans
      • Vegan Blackberry Muffins

      Cakes

      • Southern Pecan Praline Cake
      • Coconut Coffee Cake
      • Peanut Butter Bread
      • Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake (Video)

      Footer

      ↑back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with Me
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
      • Mail
      • YouTube
      • Pinterest

      Bakecellence LLC © 2021 - 2023