These chewy matcha chocolate chip cookies are the best matcha cookies recipe, an easy twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie! Including tips on how to make these matcha cookies vegan, or even make brown butter matcha cookies! These green tea chocolate chip cookies have a subtle matcha flavor that everyone will love!
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And if you like this matcha cookies recipe, you’ll love my Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins with Orange Zest, my Brownie Mix Cookies with White Chocolate, Cherries and Pistachios, and my Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter and Sea Salt!
Soft Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
If you've ever baked with matcha before, you know it adds such a deliciously complex flavor to sweet treats, and these matcha cookies are a perfect example! They bake up nice and chewy, with crispy edges and lots of chocolate chips, and they can be made with your choice of white chocolate chips, semisweet chips, or dark chocolate!
These green tea cookies are a delicious twist on classic chocolate chip cookies!
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What is matcha for baking?
Matcha is made from specially-grown green tea leaves that are steamed, dried and stone-ground into powder. It dates back to the 12th century in Japan, where it has become part of the revered practice of the tea ceremony. Matcha comes in three grades: ceremonial grade is the highest quality that is used for the Japanese tea ceremony, and is a bright, grassy green color.
Premium grade matcha is also relatively high in quality, but its standards are not as stringent as ceremonial grade, so it is a more affordable option for a matcha latte and other everyday drinks. Culinary grade matcha is a lighter green, with a slightly more bitter grassy flavor. Culinary matcha is also more affordable, so it's perfect for use in cooking and baking recipes like this matcha cookie recipe!.
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha imparts a deliciously earthy, grassy tea flavor and bright green color to baked goods. It adds a lovely complexity to sweet dishes that breaks up any overly sweet flavors, and it complements flavors like dark chocolate, vanilla, lemon, mint, berries, and ginger. The earthy flavor of matcha is a perfect fit for these soft matcha chocolate chip cookies -- if it's your first time baking with matcha, you're in for a treat!
How does matcha affect baking?
Matcha lovers know that matcha adds an incredible flavor, as well as a vibrant green color that is so inviting! Because it's an added dry ingredient, it can create a thicker batter in your cookies, but in this matcha cookies recipe I account for that with the ratio of wet ingredients to keep this matcha cookies recipe chewy and delicious!
What are matcha cookies made of?
- butter - we're using melted butter, which helps the cookies to stay nice and chewy and makes them super easy to mix up!
- granulated sugar - using white sugar adds sweetness and crisp edges to these matcha chocolate chip cookies.
- brown sugar - to add a richer sweetness and contribute to a chewy cookie texture, we'll add in light brown sugar as well. Or if you just realized you're out of brown sugar, check out my recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar!
- egg - your egg should be room temperature before adding it in.
- vanilla extract - be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!
- all purpose flour - be sure to measure your flour correctly to ensure an accurate amount. I like to use a kitchen scale to measure by weight. You can add a little extra flour to produce slightly thicker cookies.
- cornstarch - a little cornstarch helps to give our cookies a soft and chewy texture!
- matcha powder - it should be a high quality culinary grade matcha -- I use AprikaLife organic matcha.
- baking soda - gives these green tea chocolate chip cookies a bit of lift.
- chocolate chips - you can use whatever chocolate chips you like in these matcha cookies! I like Ghirardelli white baking chips or their jumbo-sized semisweet chocolate chips. And if you love M&Ms, you need to try my Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies!
Equipment
You'll need a lined baking sheet for this recipe -- I like my Nordic Ware Baker's Big Sheet lined with a Silpat ¾ sheet liner! You'll also want a small cookie scoop for evenly-sized cookie dough balls.
I like to use a large mixing bowl to mix up my cookie dough, and a wire rack to let the cookies cool.
Storage
You can keep your matcha cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or they can also be frozen, well wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, for up to two months.
Brown Butter Matcha Cookies
You can turn this into a brown butter matcha cookies recipe so easily! Just brown your butter (see my What is Browned Butter? post for a detailed step-by-step on how to brown butter), and add it in! You'll also want to add in a tablespoon of water to make up for the water that evaporates while your butter browns.
Matcha Cookies (Vegan Option)
You can also make these matcha cookies vegan! The best way to do that is to use vegan butter, and substitute a flax egg or egg replacer for the egg in the recipe!
Tips and F.A.Q.
Does chocolate and matcha go together? Absolutely! Matcha works especially well with chocolate as a flavor combination, and they make the best cookies! The creamy sweetness of chocolate balances out the earthiness of the matcha so well! I love dark chocolate chips and white chocolate in these matcha cookies!
Why are my matcha cookies not green? Your green tea chocolate chip cookies should turn out a warm green color, but if they're too brown you may have added too much brown sugar, or baked them a bit too long.
In baking, matcha can add a slight bitter flavor if you use too much, and since it is made with tea, there is always a chance of being affected if you're sensitive to caffeine.
For a batch of soft matcha chocolate chip cookies this size, you'll want 2-3 teaspoons of matcha powder. I like to use a full tablespoon for a noticeable matcha flavor.
First, you'll want to make sure you use a good quality matcha. I use AprikaLife culinary grade organic matcha, and I love the flavor and freshness. If you use a high quality matcha, it should have a smooth, earthy flavor that isn't bitter. You can also add flavors that will complement your matcha, like citrus, chocolate, vanilla, and spices.
Matcha is traditionally produced in a long, meticulous process by the tea leaves are planted, cared for, hand-picked, processed, steamed, dried, and stone-ground. High-quality matcha takes a lot of time, energy, and attention to detail to produce, which is what makes it cost more. Producing a less-expensive matcha usually involves cutting corners that can result in a less desirable flavor, color, or nutritional benefit.
Chances are, you accidentally added too much flour by measuring with a dry measuring cup. For best accuracy, I always recommend measuring dry ingredients by weight with a kitchen scale. A dry measuring cup can hold varying amounts of flour depending on how tightly it's packed, but a kitchen scale always gives you the exact amount you need. Scooping flour with a measuring cup can inadvertently add too much flour to your dough, which will keep these cookies from spreading and from getting as soft and chewy as they can be. If you don't have a kitchen scale (you should) you can use the spoon-and-level method. For more, see my post on measuring baking ingredients accurately!
If you like the chocolate in these matcha cookies, you'll love my Chocolate Filled Cookies! You've also got to try my Coconut Pecan Cookies and my Pie Crust Cookie Twists!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
More Cookie Recipes You'll Love
- Almond Lemon Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
- Lemon Curd Cookies
- Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar
- Coconut Macadamia Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate Chunks
- Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 1⅓ cup (167 g) all purpose flour - measured by weight or fluffed using the spoon-and-level method. (see note)
- 2 tablespoon (16 g) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) matcha powder - high-quality, culinary grade
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
- ½ cup (114 g) salted butter - melted
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar - packed
- 1 large egg - room temperature
- 1½ teaspoon (7 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (177 g) chocolate chips - semi-sweet, dark, or white
- flaky sea salt - for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and matcha until well combined. Set aside.1⅓ cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon matcha powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla until smooth.½ cup salted butter, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined into a dough. Fold in chocolate chips.¾ cup chocolate chips
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking liner or parchment paper.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop dough out onto lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges of cookies are golden brown. Centers will still look underdone just as they come out of the oven -- the cookies will continue to cook a bit as they cool. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.flaky sea salt
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PIN the best chewy matcha white chocolate cookies for later!
Last Updated on December 31, 2024 by Chenée Lewis
TAYLER ROSS says
I am obsessed with matcha, and these cookies were the best way to enjoy it! It paired so nicely with the white chocolate chips!
Chenée Lewis says
I love matcha too! So glad you liked them!
misa says
i made this and my grandma who was in a coma for 25 years woke up to say this was the best cookie she’s ever had and then died peacefully
Chenée Lewis says
Lol they must be pretty good then!
Alex Hayes says
i just made these as a rainy day treat and they’re pretty good! i think it’s a bit on the sweet side and didn’t really need the chips, but it’s still really pretty which matters. i also added pretzels to mine for a nice crunch! i kind of wish the recipe had added pictures because i wasn’t sure if i was doing parts right, but it all turned out okay! great matcha flavor 😀 thank you for the recipe
Chenée Lewis says
Hi! So glad you like them! There's actually a video in the recipe card that should help you with the steps for the next time you make them 🙂
Amellyn Vang says
Made these cookies last night and a 2nd batch today and wow glad I found your recipe because I’m a matcha lover and I love how it turned out! Will definitely be making more!
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! I love these cookies too!
Faris says
Really yummy cookies! Not sure why mine didn’t spread very well, considering I do use a weighing scale so the flour should have been just right, but the taste was great, so I probably messed something small up. I’ll also try to add a little less sugar next time since I used white chocolate chips and they provide a fair amount of sweetness of their own. Any tips on the ratio of white:brown sugar to reduce would be appreciated!
Chenée Lewis says
I would lower the white and brown sugars in equal amounts 🙂 Glad you enjoyed them! If you want to try a bit less flour next time to make sure they spread to your liking that should work too!
Liza says
My family loves chocolate chip cookies, and this recipe was a fun new twist on the classic. Really delicious, and we love the green color!
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you! I'm glad your family enjoyed!
Dina Miller says
Wow! So good! Made a double batch and the family devoured!
Chenée Lewis says
That's always a good idea!
Libby says
I recently made these for my cousin’s wedding (a cookie table is a western Pennsylvania tradition). They were very easy to make and stayed soft and fresh, I had baked on Thursday and they were served on Saturday. I used white chocolate chips in one batch and dark chocolate chips in another batch, both were great. I also cut back a white sugar by about half, which I almost always do in my cookie baking. My picky husband loved them and I received compliments from some of other folks who ate them. I definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who enjoys matcha.
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! I'm glad they worked with your adjustments!
Mahy says
Fantastic cookies! I love how delicious they look, and definitely something my family will love, too!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
These cookies are so pretty and I love the idea of using different chocolate chips. Can't wait to make these.
Chenée Lewis says
Thanks! Yeah you can even mix and match!
Dannii says
My kids loved these. So fun to make too.
Chenée Lewis says
Great to hear it!
bakingbruh says
really good. they made my depressed dad happy. =)
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so happy to hear that! Sending hugs to you and your dad!!
Mimi says
These were so soft and delicious. Love making them for the kids to enjoy when the return home from school.
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much! Glad you and the kids like them!
Krissy says
I love all things matcha so I was super excited when I found this recipe. They turned out so good! Will be making them again on St. Patrick's day because they're green!
Chenée Lewis says
Oh what a great idea!
Sharon says
I love the earthy taste of matcha and it went perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate chips in these cookies.
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked them! Thanks!
Sara Welch says
Whipped up a batch of these this afternoon and they did not disappoint! Such a fun and tasty twist to a classic recipe, indeed!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked them! 🙂 Thanks so much!
Andrea says
These earthy and sweet cookies sound marvelous. I can't wait to taste them.
Chenée Lewis says
You'll love them!
Sade Yimer says
These cookies are delicious! I did not have cornstarch so I just added 4 tablespoons of more flour. Thank you for sharing your delicious cookie recipe!:)
Chenée Lewis says
You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked them!
bakingbruh says
i made these with my mom. they r really good. we used white chocalet chips and we made even my depressed dad happy
Amanda says
Way, wayyyyy too sweet. I used Aprika Premium Culinary grade matcha, added a little extra even, and the flavor is only incidental, almost completely overpowered by all the sugar. These are so sweet I don't know if I can/want to eat them. I even subbed in some coconut sugar (not as sweet as cane) and cut back 4 Tbsp overall, and they are still way too sweet for my liking and the matcha is barely perceptible.
Chenée Lewis says
Sorry to hear that you weren't a fan! Hope you can find something else on the blog that you enjoy 😊
Nancy says
Delicious cookies. Such a hit with the family! Definitely better than store-bought. Will be making more!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad to hear it! Thanks!
Catherine M Cullen says
These are the worst cookies I’ve baked in a long time ( yes I measured my ingredients). Overly sweet, too much chocolate ( I used Ghirardelli), baked at 12 minutes they were dry, 9 they were almost not cooked enough. I used culinary grade matcha. Simply not a good cookie.
Chenée Lewis says
Thats too bad, sorry to hear you didn't like the cookies!