Name: Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Japanese-American
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

There’s something undeniably delightful about the fusion of earthy matcha and creamy white chocolate in a cookie. This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is my go-to for when I want a soft, chewy treat that surprises and satisfies with every bite—trust me, it’s worth every minute in the kitchen.

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

This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites—not just for the unique flavor, but for the comforting, chewy texture that feels like a hug in cookie form. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight bake but special enough to impress friends or family.

Delicious Flavor Combo: The earthy bitterness of matcha pairs perfectly with the sweet, mellow creaminess of white chocolate chips.
Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies are soft right out of the oven and stay chewy for days, giving you that fresh-baked feel longer.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Using gluten-free flour with xanthan gum means you don’t have to miss out on these treats if you avoid gluten.
Easy to Customize: Swap the white chocolate chips for semisweet or dark chocolate, or experiment with a sprinkle of toasted nuts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here contributes to the cookie’s texture, flavor, or stability. I’ve found that using room temperature butter and sifting your matcha powder into the flour mix makes a noticeable difference in the final appearance and taste.

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: Softened butter creates that melt-in-your-mouth softness but be careful not to over-soften it; it shouldn’t be greasy.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps give the cookie a slight crisp edge while keeping the inside tender.
Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture to keep the cookies soft.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all flavors, rounding out the matcha's earthy notes.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour with Xanthan Gum: Provides structure while keeping the recipe gluten-free and chewy.
Matcha Powder: The star ingredient that adds vibrant color and that lovely grassy, slightly sweet taste.
Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift without making them cakey.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the matcha’s flavor.
White Chocolate Chips (or Semisweet): Offers bursts of creamy sweetness to contrast 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 mixing things up here—sometimes I swap white chocolate chips for semisweet or dark chocolate just to give the cookie a richer finish. You can easily adjust the sweetness or try adding a handful of toasted almonds for extra crunch.

Variation: Once, I tried adding a pinch of cinnamon for warmth, and it was surprisingly delicious—like a cozy twist on the classic.

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 the Butter and Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, take your room-temperature butter and sugar and beat them together until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. It’s key to getting that soft texture—don’t rush this part!

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Your dough should look creamy and smooth now. Getting this step right means your cookies will hold together perfectly without being dense.

Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, sift together your gluten-free flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Sifting is key here—it avoids any pesky clumps and gives the dough that even green color throughout. Slowly add this to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until almost combined. Then fold in the white chocolate chips gently for those delightful pockets of sweetness.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll it into balls. Place them on your lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. I find chilling the dough for 20 minutes helps them keep their shape better, especially if it’s warm in your kitchen. Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges just start turning golden—this keeps the matcha vibrant and the cookie chewy.

Step 5: Cooling

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them carefully to a wire rack. They’ll be soft and fragile at first but set nicely as they cool. Patience here really pays off.

Top Tip

Making these matcha white chocolate chip cookies taught me a few little tricks that keep the process smooth and the results perfect every time. Here are some of my best tips so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Matcha Quality Matters: I always use ceremonial grade matcha for baking, as it has the brightest color and smoothest flavor—lower grades can taste bitter or dull quickly.
Timing the Bake: Watch your oven like a hawk at the 11-minute mark; pulling the cookies right when edges set ensures the matcha color stays vivid and the cookie remains chewy.
Butter Consistency: Butter should be soft enough to leave a fingerprint but not greasy or melted to get the right dough texture and cookie spread.
Chill the Dough: Even a short chill tightens the dough so your cookies bake up thick rather than thin and flat—especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.

How to Serve Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

matcha white chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before baking to heighten the flavor contrast. Sometimes, I tuck a little heart-shaped sprinkle on top for a sweet, personalized touch when sharing with loved ones.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of green tea or an ice-cold glass of milk. For brunch or tea time, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on a wooden board with fresh edible flowers and sprinkled matcha powder lightly over the top for a pretty, rustic look. They also make charming gifts when wrapped in parchment and tied with a simple ribbon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, which keeps them soft and chewy for up to a week. Oddly enough, I’ve noticed the matcha flavor deepens and becomes even more pleasant after a day or two.

Freezing

If I want to save some for later, I freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This keeps them fresh for a few months and they thaw quickly at room temp.

Reheating

To warm them up, I pop frozen or room temp cookies into a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness and melts the chocolate chips just a bit. Microwave reheating works too, but I prefer the oven method for texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! You can swap in regular all-purpose flour if you’re not avoiding gluten. Just use the same amount and skip the xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t include it.

How do I prevent the matcha from tasting bitter?

Using high-quality ceremonial grade matcha helps keep the flavor smooth and mild. Also, avoid overbaking the cookies, as extended heat can make matcha taste bitter. Pull them as soon as the edges start to set.

Can I substitute the white chocolate chips with something else?

Yes! Semisweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips all work well. You could also try chopped nuts or dried fruit for different textures and flavors.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

While optional, chilling the dough for about 20 minutes makes handling easier and helps the cookies keep their shape, especially on warmer days. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step but watch the baking time closely.

Final Thoughts

This Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become a little ritual for me—a way to treat myself and friends to something a little different but totally comforting. I hope you’ll enjoy making these as much as I do, and maybe you’ll find your own favorite twists along the way. Happy baking, friend!