Healthy matcha cookies are about to steal the spotlight in your kitchen. Seriously, if you haven’t hopped on the matcha train yet, now is the time. They are vibrant green, taste fancy, and they are packed with nutrients, such as antioxidants making you feel incredibly good.
Now, let’s talk about cookies. I love cookies in general. But sometimes, they can be just too sweet for my taste. These cookies though are perfectly balanced with just the right touch of sweetness and a whole lot of matcha goodness in every soft, chewy bite. And that beautiful vibrant green colour? Uh, I swear it practically whispers, “Go on, I’m green… that means I’m healthy! EAT ME!”
What is Matcha?
If you haven’t tried matcha yet, oh boy, you are truly missing out. It is time to grab your shopping bag and head straight to the store…or, you know, just click away to do some online shopping.
Matcha is a fine green tea powder made from ground tea leaves, and it is quite a big deal in Japan (and for a very good reason).
In Japanese cuisine you can find it in all sorts of goodies: cookies, latte, cakes, even simple tea. Once you try it, I don’t think you can go back. It is that uniquely good!
Matcha also brings that vibrant green colour and a unique smooth taste, and it is also rich with antioxidants and other good-for-you nutrients. It is so good for your heart, might even help with weight management, and thanks to the caffeine kick, it can be a solid coffee alternative.
Just a heads up that if you are using it for drinks, you should go for a higher-quality matcha, for the best results. For baking, you can go for medium quality and save that fancy stuff for your morning latte.
An as Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Why I Love Matcha Cookies
First and foremost, I love the unique earthy flavour of the matcha powder. It is smooth and with just the right amount of sweetness when you pair it with milk or a bit of honey. I admit that the first time I was offered a matcha cookie at my local coffee shop, I hesitated. That bright green colour made me question the taste of that cookie. But once I took the bite, I was hooked on it for life. The matcha flavour is unique, kind of sophisticated, and I think everyone should give it a try.
The fact that matcha is loaded with antioxidants, gives your metabolism a little boost, and even adds a gentle caffeine kick, makes it pretty hard to resist. These matcha cookies especially, let you snack and feel good about it at the same time. So you can enjoy them with less guilt, more joy, and the perfect excuse to grab another (or three). Sounds like a win-win to me.
What You Need to Make Matcha Cookies
Matcha – Go for a good-quality matcha, but don’t overspend on the fancy stuff. Keep the high-quality matcha for your drinks where the true flavours come to surface. For baking I use a great brand that balances taste and affordability, and if you are new to matcha, I recommend starting with a small pack to test how you like it.
Butter – Really, what’s a good cookie without butter? It gives a perfect fluffy texture and perfect cookie flavour. I use unsalted butter at room temperature so it blends smoothly into the dough.
Sugar – A mix of white sugar and maple syrup does the trick for perfect sweetness here. The fine white sugar helps cream the butter beautifully, while the maple syrup adds a natural sweetness.
Maple Syrup – If you’ve been around my recipes, you know I love using maple syrup as my sweetener. These cookies are no exception, because maple syrup adds just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering the matcha.
Eggs – Eggs are the master for reaching perfect cookie texture. Just make sure they are at room temperature for the best results.
Lemon zest – This is my favourite twist. I think matcha pairs just perfectly with the freshness of the lemon. So, please and please add some lemon zest to reach perfect freshness.
Flour – All purpose flour is the base for cookies. I like to sift it to keep things fluffy and avoid any sneaky lumps. When I mix the dry ingredients, I also make sure matcha powder is also free of lumps and nicely incorporated as well.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Salt – The powerful trio for perfect cookie baking. Make sure to sift these too, no one likes lumps.
Equipment you need
Mixer – Whether you use a stand mixer or hand mixer, it is your call. But let’s be real – manual whisking does not make life easier, so grab your mixer.
Non-stick baking sheet – A good non-stick baking sheet is perfect for baking cookies. The non-stick surface means less scrubbing and more time enjoying your delicious food. If you want to make the cleanup even easier, simply line it with parchment paper.
Healthy Matcha Cookies
Course: DessertCuisine: JapaneseDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes15
minutes280
kcal30
minutesLearn how to make healthy matcha cookies - soft, chewy cookies, packed with all the good flavours. This recipe is easy, delicious, and perfect for any beginner or a pro.
Ingredients
- Dry Mix
3 tablespoons matcha powder
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
- Wet Ingredients
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup butter, room temperature
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup maple syrup
lemon zest, from one lemon
- For coating the cookies
2 tablespoons white fine sugar
½ teaspoon matcha powder
Directions
- First make sure the eggs and butter are at room temperature for at least an hour. This helps everything mix smoothly for a perfect cookie batter.
- In a large bowl, start working on the dry ingredients: sift together the flour, matcha, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Make sure you strain dry ingredients well, no one like surprise lumps in their cookie dough. Add a pinch of salt, mix well, and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter with a mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add half of the sugar, mix for another 2–3 minutes, then add the rest.
- Pour in the maple syrup and lemon zest, then continue mixing on low-medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, about ⅓ at a time. Reduce the speed as you go, switching to a spatula for the final folding.
- Cover the dough with wax paper or foil and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling will help easier shaping into desired form.
- Once dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F. Use an ice cream scoop to form the cookies, roll into balls.
- Flatten the shaped cookies to about 1/2 inch thickness.
- For an extra flavour, mix 2 tablespoons of white sugar with 1 teaspoon of matcha powder and roll the cookies in it for a light coating.
- Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet and bake for 10–13 minutes. Note that it is ok if the cookies are slightly soft in the middle - they will firm up as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool for about 10-15 minutes layered on a cooling rack.
- Sprinkle on top with any leftover matcha sugar and enjoy warm or cooled.They are equally good.
Notes
- This is the basic matcha cookie recipe. You can always go one step further to enhance the cookies. As an example, you can add some white chocolate chips or even cheesecake filling and make matcha cookie sandwiches.
Can I Freeze the Cookies
You can freeze the dough as-is or shape the cookies first and then freeze them in a cookie form. When you are ready to bake, just take them out and let them thaw for at least 30 minutes before baking.
If the cookies are already baked, simply pop them in an airtight container or a paper bag and freeze them. They will stay just as delicious when you are ready to eat them again.
Did you make this recipe?
Love this recipe? Try these next!
Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron!
As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free!
I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
Join me on this journey 🍲🥗
