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 utterly delightful about the blend of earthy matcha and sweet white chocolate in these soft, chewy bites. This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a treat that’s as beautiful to look at as it is satisfying to eat, and perfect for sharing with friends or savoring with your afternoon tea.

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 can't get enough of how these cookies combine the subtle bitterness of matcha with bursts of sweet, melty white chocolate—truly a match made in cookie heaven. Sharing these always invites compliments and questions, so here’s why they’re worth your oven time.

Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies strike the perfect balance—soft on the inside with just enough chewiness to keep you coming back for more.
Vibrant Green Color: Thanks to matcha powder, these cookies don’t just taste amazing; they look visually stunning on any cookie platter.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You only need a handful of pantry staples and matcha powder to whip up these delights, no complex steps.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Using gluten-free flour makes these cookies accessible without sacrificing texture or taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe has a purpose. The balance of matcha’s earthy notes with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate creates a cookie that’s anything but ordinary. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you shop smart and understand what each component brings to the table.

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: Use room temperature butter that's soft but not melted; it helps create that tender, chewy texture without flattening your cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and helps with cookie structure when creamed with butter.
Egg: Provides moisture and binds the dough together for that perfect chewy bite.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor layers, balancing matcha’s earthiness with warmth.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (with xanthan gum): Keeps these cookies chewy while being friendly for gluten-intolerant friends.
Matcha Powder: The star ingredient—use a good quality ceremonial or culinary grade to keep that vibrant color and nuanced flavor.
Baking Soda: Gives lift and promotes softness.
Sea Salt: A pinch enhances sweetness and deepens the matcha’s flavor.
White Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of sweetness that complement matcha perfectly—you can swap semisweet if preferred.

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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

Playing around with this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one of my favorite parts. Whether you want to dial up the matcha intensity or add a little crunch, tweaking it to suit your taste is easy and fun.

Matcha Boost: I sometimes add an extra half teaspoon of matcha powder for a greener, more robust flavor, especially when using a milder powder.
Nutty Twist: Toasted macadamia nuts or pistachios folded in add great texture and flavor contrast.
Chocolate Swap: If white chocolate isn't your thing, semisweet or even matcha-flavored chocolate chips work well.
Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter and dairy-free white chocolate to keep things plant-based and just as delicious.

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: Cream the Butter and Sugar until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. This step is crucial—beat until the mixture looks light and airy, about 3-4 minutes. This airiness helps create the cookie's tender crumb, so don't rush it! I find scraping down the bowl once helps get everything mixed evenly.

Step 2: Mix in the Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to your creamed butter and sugar. Beat just until combined—overmixing here can lead to tougher cookies, so keep it gentle and quick. This adds moisture and binds the dough.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together the gluten-free flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Sifting helps prevent clumps, especially with matcha powder, and ensures a uniform green color in the dough. This step took me a while to perfect—I used to get green streaks in my cookies before I started sifting!

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Then Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until almost combined. Don’t overbeat here—stop when you see no more dry flour. Fold in the white chocolate chips with a spatula for even distribution without breaking them up.

Step 5: Scoop, Shape, and Bake

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. If you want to get festive, like for a holiday event, a little heart sprinkle on top adds charm (I always do this for my Grinch cookies!). Bake for 11-13 minutes—watch the edges carefully; pull them when they turn golden but the centers still look slightly soft. They'll set as they cool, keeping their soft texture.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes—you'll need to handle them gently as they are fragile. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time is key: the cookies firm up a bit but remain perfectly chewy and bursting with matcha flavor.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe many times, and a few tricks really take it over the top. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls and really bring out the best in the cookies.

Use Quality Matcha: Invest in a good quality matcha—ceremonial or culinary grade. It makes a big difference in color and flavor. I once used a cheap supermarket powder, and the cookies were dull and bitter.
Don’t Overbake: Pull your cookies when edges are golden but centers still look soft. The heat continues baking inside, keeping the cookies soft and chewy.
Chill Dough if Needed: If your kitchen is warm, pop the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes before baking. It helps maintain cookie shape and prevents excessive spreading.
Sift the Matcha with Flour: Avoid clumps and ensure an even green throughout by sifting matcha powder together with your flour and other dry ingredients.

How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

matcha white chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt lightly on top before baking—it balances the sweetness beautifully. Fresh edible flowers or a light dust of powdered sugar also make these cookies look even more special when serving guests.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of jasmine green tea or matcha latte to double down on that green tea vibe. A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside makes for a simple, elegant dessert setup that everyone will love.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging the cookies in a tiered stand with small signs naming the “Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies,” which always sparks interest. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment and tying with twine also makes for charming edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they keep soft and chewy up to a week. Honestly, I love how the matcha flavor deepens after sitting a day or two, so if you can resist, a little patience pays off!

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies after baking by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferring to a zip-top bag or airtight container. When you want them, thaw at room temp and warm up in a low oven for that fresh-baked feeling.

Reheating

To revive day-old cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This softens them up and slightly melts the white chocolate chips, bringing back that freshly baked magic.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour if you’re not gluten-sensitive. The texture may be slightly different—often a bit less chewy—but the flavor remains wonderful.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your butter isn’t too soft or melted—it should be at room temperature but still hold its shape slightly. Chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking can also help cookies keep their shape and avoid excessive spreading.

Can I substitute white chocolate chips for regular chocolate?

Absolutely! While white chocolate complements matcha beautifully, semisweet chocolate chips or even dark chocolate chips can be used for a richer, less sweet flavor.

Why do my matcha cookies turn out dull or bitter?

This usually happens if the matcha powder is low quality or the cookies are overbaked. Use a good quality matcha and pull your cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are set but centers remain soft to keep the vibrant color and smooth flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one I keep coming back to because it surprises me every time with its simple elegance. Whether it’s for a quiet afternoon treat or sharing with friends, these cookies bring a little calm, joy, and a burst of flavor that’s hard to beat. I promise you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious results just as much as I do—give it a whip and watch your cookie game glow green!