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 irresistible about the delicate earthiness of green tea combined with creamy bursts of white chocolate. This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe nails that balance perfectly—soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. You’ll want to make a batch just to experience that unique cozy comfort these cookies deliver.

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

I remember the first time I tried these cookies—there was this subtle, herbal matcha flavor that wasn’t overpowering but just enough to bring something special. It’s like the white chocolate chips soften the bitter green vibe, making each bite a perfect harmony. Sharing these will make you the star of any gathering!

Unique Flavor Combo: The earthy matcha paired with sweet white chocolate creates a refreshing twist on classic cookies.
Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies come out tender, perfect for cookie lovers who want something that melts in your mouth.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Made with gluten-free flour, so you don’t miss out on flavor or texture if you avoid gluten.
Simple Ingredients & Steps: You don’t need fancy gear or hard-to-find ingredients—just a few pantry staples and you’re set.

Ingredients & Why They Work

In this recipe, every ingredient serves a purpose. The butter and sugar create a soft base, matcha brings that vibrant green flavor and color, and white chocolate adds bursts of creamy sweetness. Picking good quality matcha powder makes all the difference, so look for a culinary-grade one that’s bright and fresh.

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: Use room temperature butter that's soft but not melted to ensure the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much.
Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create that tender chewiness when creamed with butter.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture for a chewy texture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors and adds depth.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure but keeps the cookie tender; choose one with xanthan gum to mimic gluten’s elasticity.
Matcha Powder: The star ingredient—sift it with dry ingredients to avoid clumps and get an even green color throughout.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for softness without becoming cakey.
Sea Salt: Lifts the other flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
White Chocolate Chips: Melt into creamy pockets of sweetness that taste divine against the matcha’s earthiness.

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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 to play around with this Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or who I’m baking for. It’s a flexible base that welcomes a few tweaks without losing its magic.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is swapping white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or even dark chocolate chips to add a richer counterpoint to the matcha’s earthiness.
Dietary Swap: If you’re vegan, use a flax egg and vegan butter substitute—it won’t be quite the same chewiness but still delicious!
Seasonal Twist: Adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top before baking adds a lovely nutty crunch I adore in fall and winter.

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: Creaming the Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl (or your stand mixer), cream together half a cup of room temperature butter and half a cup of granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is key for creating that tender texture, so don’t rush it—about 3 to 5 minutes should do the trick.

Step 2: Adding the Wet Ingredients

Next, beat in one egg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until fully combined. This not only binds everything but builds that lovely moisture in the dough. Make sure to scrape the sides down, so everything mixes evenly.

Step 3: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together gluten-free all-purpose flour (about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons), sifted matcha powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Sifting the matcha here is a little trick that ensures no pesky lumps sneak into your cookies, leaving that smooth green color and flavor intact.

Step 4: Combining Dough & Folding in Chocolate

Add the flour mixture gradually to your wet ingredients. Beat on low speed just until it’s almost combined—you don’t want to overmix or the cookies can get tough. Now fold in half a cup of those gorgeous white chocolate chips. Get ready for some serious cookie dough temptation here!

Step 5: Forming and Baking the Cookies

Scoop about two tablespoons of dough and roll gently into balls. Place them on your parchment-lined sheet about two inches apart so they have room to spread. Here’s a fun idea: if you feel festive, add a small heart sprinkle on top for an extra touch of love. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until the cookie edges just turn golden. Remember not to overbake—these cookies are fragile when warm but firm up perfectly as they cool.

Step 6: Cooling and Enjoying

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Handle gently, because right out of the oven, they’re still very soft. I love to sneak a warm one at this stage—the melty white chocolate is dreamy.

Top Tip

After experimenting with this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that keep these cookies tasting vibrant and fresh every batch.

Timing Is Everything: Pull the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges look set but the center is still soft. The residual heat finishes baking perfectly without dulling the matcha color.
Butter Consistency: Use butter that's soft enough to press a finger into but not melted. Overly soft butter will make your cookies spread too thin.
Quick Chill: If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for about 20 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
Sift Matcha: This simple step avoids clumps and gives you that gorgeous, even green color throughout your cookie dough.

How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

matcha white chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking—this makes the sweetness pop and balances the flavors beautifully. Sometimes, for a special touch, I add edible gold leaf or a tiny matcha dusting right before serving. It never fails to impress!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a creamy cup of matcha latte or a simple black tea. The warm beverages complement the cookies’ subtle earthiness without overwhelming the palate. For a decadent afternoon, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside these warm cookies is pure joy.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gifts, arrange the cookies in a bamboo steamer basket lined with parchment paper—it’s charming and ties into the Asian-inspired flavors. Wrapping small stacks with a delicate ribbon and a hand-tied matcha-dusted tag makes a thoughtful homemade gift. You can even layer cookies with wax paper and present them in decorative tins for a festive touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and the cookies keep their soft, chewy texture for up to a week. The matcha flavor actually deepens and settles overnight, so if you can wait, they taste even better the next day!

Freezing

To freeze, I place the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment, freeze them solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. This way, I bake fresh cookies anytime without mixing the dough again. You can also freeze fully baked cookies between layers of parchment paper—just thaw at room temp when ready.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds. This keeps them soft and chewy, and the white chocolate chips delightfully melty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! You can substitute with an equal amount of regular all-purpose flour if you don’t need gluten-free. Just make sure to omit the xanthan gum that’s often added in gluten-free blends to avoid excess chewiness.

How do I prevent the matcha from browning or turning dull during baking?

The key is not to overbake your cookies. Pull them out as soon as the edges are set but centers are still soft. This short baking time helps preserve the bright green color and that fresh matcha flavor. Also, use good-quality culinary matcha for best results.

Can I replace white chocolate chips with something else?

Certainly! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work beautifully if you prefer a less sweet option. You can also experiment with chopped nuts like macadamias for texture or even swirl in a bit of matcha white chocolate for an extra flavor boost.

Should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling isn’t required but highly recommended, especially if your kitchen is warm or you want thicker cookies. About 20 minutes of chill time helps the dough firm up so cookies don’t spread too thin and bake evenly.

Final Thoughts

This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it combines the comfort of a classic cookie with an adventurous flavor twist that’s surprisingly approachable. I can’t recommend it enough if you’re looking to impress friends or just treat yourself to something a little different. Trust me, once you experience the chewy texture and bright matcha notes with those luscious white chocolate pockets, you’ll keep coming back for more—just like I do!