Name: Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup + 2 tbsp gluten free all-purpose flour, with xanthan gum; 1 tbsp matcha powder; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, or semisweet chocolate chips

There’s something so enchanting about that vibrant green hue paired with sweet bursts of white chocolate, isn’t there? This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe marries soft, chewy texture with delicate earthy notes from matcha, making it a uniquely satisfying treat worth having on your baking roster.

The image shows a batch of green cookies with white chocolate chips scattered evenly inside each one. The cookies have a soft, slightly cracked texture on top and are placed on a silver wire cooling rack. The cooling rack sits on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is round and thick, with the green color being bright and consistent throughout. The white chips create a nice contrast against the green dough, visible on the surface of all cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked these cookies — the kitchen filled with that unmistakable grassy aroma of matcha while the sweetness of white chocolate melted the moment I bit into one. It's not your everyday cookie, and that’s exactly what makes this recipe so special.

Unique Flavor Combination: The earthy matcha beautifully balances the sweetness of the white chocolate chips for a sophisticated twist on a classic cookie.
Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies come out tender and chewy every time, never dry or crumbly.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Using gluten-free flour with xanthan gum means they're perfect for those avoiding gluten without compromising taste or texture.
Quick & Easy to Make: You can whip these up in under 30 minutes, making them great for an afternoon baking session or last-minute guests.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating these lovely green cookies that taste as good as they look. Here’s a little insight on the key players, so you know exactly what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small square of pale yellow butter, a small mound of fine white granulated sugar, one whole light brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a white ceramic bowl filled with fine white gluten free all-purpose flour, another small white bowl with bright green matcha powder, a tiny amount of off-white baking soda powder sprinkled neatly next to a pinch of coarse sea salt crystals, and a small white bowl heaped with creamy white chocolate chips, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: At room temperature, this helps achieve that soft and chewy texture, but be careful not to over-soften it or your cookies might spread too thin.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the chewiness, while helping to slightly caramelize the edges.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture, keeping the cookies tender.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor depth and complements the matcha’s earthiness beautifully.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum: Ensures the right structure without gluten, while xanthan gum keeps the dough elastic and chewy.
Matcha powder: This star ingredient gives the cookies their iconic color and subtle grassy flavor—use a good-quality ceremonial grade if possible for the best taste and vibrant appearance.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and develop the soft texture we love.
Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
White chocolate chips: Their creamy sweetness melts into pockets of pure joy inside each cookie. Alternatively, semisweet chips work if you want a bit more contrast.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe depending on mood or occasion. Don’t hesitate to add your personal touch and make these cookies truly yours!

Variation: I’ve swapped white chocolate chips for matcha-infused dark chocolate chunks before—seriously delightful for matcha lovers who like a bit more bittersweet punch.
Dietary swaps: If dairy is a concern, try coconut oil instead of butter. The cookies stay soft but develop a subtle coconut undertone.
Seasonal change: For a festive twist, sprinkle a few crushed pistachios or edible gold dust on top just before baking. They look stunning and add a lovely crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

The image shows six round, thick green cookies with white chocolate chunks mixed inside. One cookie is broken in half and placed on top of another cookie, revealing a soft, moist, textured inside that is the same green color as the outside. The cookies have a slightly cracked, rough surface with visible white chunks scattered throughout. They are set on white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. The focus is close up, showing the detailed texture of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. I use a stand mixer for this part. Beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial because properly creamed butter whips air into your dough, making for those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 2: Adding the Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in your egg and pour the vanilla extract, then beat again just until everything’s combined. Overbeating here can make the dough too loose, so just mix until it looks uniform.

Step 3: Mixing Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the gluten-free flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and sea salt together. Pro tip: Sift the matcha powder with the flour mix to eliminate clumps and keep your cookies perfectly green.

Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and beat on a low setting until the dough is almost combined. It’s okay if you still see a few streaks of flour—that prevents overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.

Step 5: Folding in White Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in those luscious white chocolate chips using a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout. This step ensures the chips don’t break up too much and melt all over the dough prematurely.

Step 6: Shaping and Baking

Grab about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. Arrange each ball on your prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches between so they have room to spread. If you want to get a little festive, I sometimes add a heart-shaped sprinkle on top before baking—my “Grinch cookies” for the holidays! Bake them for 11–13 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden but the centers still look soft.

Step 7: Cooling & Setting

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes—they’ll be fragile right out of the oven but will firm up perfectly as they cool. Then, carefully transfer with a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

Through my many batches, I discovered a few key things that make all the difference with this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe—sharing those so your bake turns out just as dreamy!

Use fresh, high-quality matcha: Matcha flavor can dull if you overbake or use lower grade powder. I always aim for ceremonial-grade matcha and pull the cookies as soon as the edges are set to get that perfect bright green color.
Don’t over-soften butter: Butter that’s too soft makes the dough spread too much, resulting in thin cookies. It should be soft enough to press a finger into easily but not greasy or melting.
Chill if your kitchen is warm: I sometimes chill the dough for about 20 minutes before baking, especially in summer, to help the cookies hold their shape and stay chewy.
Sift your matcha: Always sift it with your dry ingredients to avoid lumps and ensure an evenly colored dough.

How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

matcha white chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of warm cookies right after baking—trust me, that light saltiness pops the matcha and chocolate flavors beautifully. Sometimes, a tiny dusting of extra matcha powder on the cooling rack adds a final elegant touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair so well with a cup of jasmine tea or matcha latte for a double hit of that earthy tea flavor. I also like to serve them alongside a simple bowl of fresh berries for some natural, juicy sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange them on a platter layered with parchment and dotted with edible flowers or tiny mint leaves. They make gorgeous gifts too—just stack them in a pretty box with a green ribbon, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and chewy for up to a week, and the matcha flavor actually deepens overnight.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies either before baking (pre-formed dough balls) or after baking. If freezing dough, just thaw in the fridge before baking, adjusting baking time slightly. Baked cookies freeze well wrapped individually, then thaw at room temp for a quick treat whenever you want.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop the cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or just microwave for 10 seconds. This brings back some softness and revives that fresh-baked warmth without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute regular gluten flour for the gluten-free blend?

Yes! You can swap in regular all-purpose flour if you do not need to avoid gluten. However, the texture might be slightly different. The xanthan gum in the gluten-free blend helps with chewiness, so add about ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your flour doesn't include it.

How important is the quality of matcha?

Quality matcha really influences both the flavor and color of these cookies. Ceremonial-grade matcha offers a bright green color and fresh, grassy notes. Lower-quality matcha might result in a duller cookie that tastes more bitter or less vibrant.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

If your cookies are spreading too thin, check your butter temperature—overly soft or melted butter causes this. Also, chilling the dough briefly helps control spreading, especially in warmer kitchens or seasons.

Can I use dark or semisweet chocolate instead of white chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Semisweet or dark chocolate chips work well if you prefer a less sweet cookie or want a richer chocolate contrast to the earthy matcha flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place for me—it’s an unexpected blend of flavors that always impresses guests and lifts my spirits on quiet afternoons. Whether it’s your first time experimenting with matcha or you’re a seasoned fan, I know you’ll enjoy baking (and eating!) these as much as I do. Give them a try and watch how they brighten up your cookie jar and moments alike.