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Easy Japanese Matcha Cookies Recipe for Buttery Family Treats
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Easy Japanese Matcha Cookies Recipe for Buttery Family Treats

These simple Japanese-inspired matcha cookies are tender, buttery, and gently sweet, with earthy green tea flavor and a naturally pretty green color. The easy scoop-and-bake dough is ideal for beginner bakers and family treat time.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 20

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup 113 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup 134 g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg about 50 g, without shell, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon 5 ml vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups 219 g all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons 4 g culinary-grade matcha powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon 2 g baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon 1.5 g fine salt
  • 1 tablespoon 12 g coarse sugar or sanding sugar, optional, for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt, breaking up any visible matcha lumps.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until a soft dough forms and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  • Scoop level tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then gently flatten it to about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if using.
  • Bake one sheet at a time for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set and the bottoms are very lightly golden. The tops should remain green rather than brown.
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool.