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

Every bite of these delightful soft and chewy treats offers a gentle earthiness balanced by bursts of sweet, creamy white chocolate. This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a little green dream you’ll want to make again and again.

A group of round green cookies with white chips are shown on a silver wire cooling rack. Each cookie has a rough, cracked surface that shows their soft texture inside. The green color is even and vibrant, while the white chips are scattered across each cookie, sticking out slightly and adding contrast. The cooling rack is on a white marbled surface, adding a clean look to the scene. 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

Honestly, one of the best parts about this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how the unique flavor of matcha blends effortlessly with the sweetness of white chocolate. It feels like a fancy patisserie treat but is surprisingly easy to whip up at home.

Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies are tender with just enough chewiness, unlike some matcha baked goods that turn out dry.
Vibrant Green Color: Using quality matcha and timing the bake right keeps that beautiful hue bright and inviting.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing complicated here — a few pantry staples come together with minimal fuss.
Customizable Flavors: You can easily swap white chocolate for semisweet if you prefer, or experiment with mix-ins.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These cookies are a wonderful balance of buttery richness, matcha’s subtle bitterness, and creamy sweetness. Each ingredient plays a special role in delivering that perfect bite.

Flat lay of a small mound of soft, pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a neat pile of white gluten free all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing vibrant green matcha powder, a small white bowl with fine white baking soda powder, a tiny mound of coarse sea salt crystals, and a small white bowl filled with glossy white chocolate chips, all arranged symmetrically and balanced 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: Using butter at room temperature helps you cream it smoothly with sugar for a tender cookie base.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens without overpowering the matcha, and contributes to that chewier texture.
Egg: Binds everything together and keeps the cookies moist.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth that complements the matcha’s grassy notes.
Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure; xanthan gum helps mimic gluten’s stretch for perfect chewiness.
Matcha Powder: The star ingredient — I always sift mine with the dry mix to avoid clumps and boost color vibrancy.
Baking Soda: Gives a little lift so cookies aren’t too dense.
Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
White Chocolate Chips: Creamy sweetness with a bit of a melt-in-your-mouth finish; you can swap for semi-sweet if you want 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

One thing I love is tweaking this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe to suit the mood of the day or pantry stash. Feel free to make it truly yours!

Matcha Intensity: If you prefer a milder matcha flavor, reduce the powder slightly — I’ve experimented and still got lovely flavor with ½ tbsp.
Chocolate Choice: I sometimes swap white chocolate chips for dark or even milk chocolate, especially when craving a richer contrast.
Nuts or Extras: Chopped pistachios or toasted sesame seeds make a fun twist I’ve done for special occasions.
Vegan Variation: You can substitute the butter and egg with plant-based versions; just expect a slightly different texture but still delicious.

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

The image shows six round matcha green cookies with white chocolate chunks inside. One cookie is broken in half with its inside visible, showing a soft, green textured dough dotted with white chocolate pieces. The cookies are arranged on white parchment paper placed over a white marbled surface. The cookies have a slightly rough surface with some cracks and a rich green color mixed with creamy white spots from the chocolate chunks. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

Start by letting your butter come to room temperature — it should give when gently pressed but not be greasy. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together for about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial because it traps air and builds the cookie’s soft texture. You’ll know you’re done when the mixture turns pale and fluffy.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in your egg and pour the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is just combined – no streaks of egg white should remain, but don’t overdo it or the cookies might become tough.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, matcha powder (sift it for best results), baking soda, and sea salt. This helps to evenly distribute the matcha and leavening agents throughout the dough.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet, Then Fold in Chocolate Chips

Add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients gradually, beating on low speed to avoid overworking the dough. You want everything just barely combined before folding in your white chocolate chips gently with a spatula.

Step 5: Chill Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Pop the dough in the fridge for about 20 minutes if your kitchen is warm or if you want thicker cookies that hold their shape better. I skip this sometimes, but I notice a nicer texture when I chill it.

Step 6: Scoop, Shape and Bake

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and gently roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11-13 minutes. Keep a close eye toward the end — as soon as the edges turn golden, pull them out to keep that vivid green and avoid overbaking.

Step 7: Cool with Care

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them carefully to a wire rack. They’ll be quite soft and fragile at first, but this resting time allows them to set into that perfect chewy texture.

Top Tip

From my experience baking these, timing and ingredient temperature truly make all the difference between average and outstanding cookies.

The Right Butter Temperature: Butter that’s too soft yields thin, greasy cookies—aim for room temp that's soft but still holds shape.
Sift That Matcha: It ensures a smoother dough and prevents those pesky green clumps, giving you even flavor and pretty color.
Watch Your Bake Time: Overbaking dulls the matcha’s vibrant flavor and color. Pull cookies as soon as edges turn golden.
Chill Dough for Thickness: If you want chunkier, thicker cookies, a brief rest in the fridge helps the dough firm up nicely.

How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

matcha white chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For a little flair, I occasionally top freshly scooped dough balls with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or a few white chocolate chunks before baking. It adds texture and accents the sweet-savory balance.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic with a simple cup of green tea or a creamy matcha latte to double down on flavors. For something more indulgent, vanilla ice cream on the side makes a dreamy pairing!

Creative Ways to Present

When sharing at gatherings, I like to arrange these cookies with fresh edible flowers or a dusting of extra matcha powder on a slate board—it makes for an inviting and elegant presentation that guests always comment on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for up to a week, and you’ll actually notice the matcha flavor deepens beautifully overnight.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the dough, I portion it out onto a parchment-lined tray first, freeze until firm, then transfer the balls into a zip-top bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Leftover cookies taste wonderful reheated for 10-15 seconds in the microwave or warmed briefly in a low oven (about 300°F). This softens them up, reviving that fresh-baked softness and melting the white chocolate slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes! You can swap in regular all-purpose flour in this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe using a 1:1 ratio. This will yield a slightly different texture, generally softer and more traditional, but still delicious.

How do I keep the matcha flavor bright and fresh?

Great question! Matcha can easily lose its vibrant color and distinct flavor if overbaked or exposed to heat too long. To keep it fresh, bake the cookies just until the edges are set and avoid baking past that point. Also, storing in an airtight container once cooled helps preserve the flavor.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes, with some swaps! Use vegan butter or coconut oil and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoon water). Baking times might vary slightly, but the cookies still turn out tasty and soft.

What’s the best way to store leftover cookies?

Store leftover Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their softness beautifully and the matcha flavor deepens over the first couple of days. If you want them extra fresh, a short warm-up in the microwave works wonders.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire. It’s easy, approachable, and feels a bit special — almost like treating yourself with something fancy but homemade. I hope you give it a try and enjoy those vibrant green bites as much as I do. Once you taste the warm, chewy matcha goodness paired with the creamy white chocolate, you’ll be hooked just like me!