Description
Delightfully soft and subtly sweet Matcha Sugar Cookies made with high-quality matcha powder, a blend of granulated and brown sugars, and a perfect balance of buttery richness. These cookies offer a tender crumb with a unique earthy flavor, perfect for tea time or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or table salt)
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or paste
For Rolling
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a silicone spatula to combine the melted and cooled ½ cup unsalted butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Matcha, Egg, and Vanilla: Mix in 1 tablespoon of matcha powder, 1 room-temperature egg, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or paste. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add all dry ingredients—1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt—into the wet mixture. Mix until no dry spots remain, forming a cookie dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Trays: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sugar for Rolling: In a small bowl or plate, pour 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar. This will be used to roll the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop and Roll Cookies: Using a cookie dough scoop, take 2-3 tablespoons of dough, roll it into a ball, then roll it generously in the granulated sugar. Place the sugared dough balls onto the prepared baking trays, spacing each cookie 3-4 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake one tray at a time for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are mostly baked through. Avoid overbaking to maintain softness.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Shaping: For rounder cookies, while still warm, use a spoon to gently push and shape the edges to your liking.
- Enjoy: Once cooled, enjoy these tender, flavorful matcha sugar cookies with your favorite tea or beverage.
Notes
- You can chill the dough for up to 2 days; this deepens the flavor and helps with dough firmness.
- Use high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Room temperature egg ensures better mixing and texture.
- Rolling dough balls in granulated sugar adds a sweet crunch and gives a slight sparkle to the cookies.
- Spacing cookies about 3-4 inches apart prevents them from merging during baking.
- For a crisper cookie, bake a minute or two longer, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Baking/Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Keywords: matcha cookies, sugar cookies, matcha sugar cookies, green tea cookies, baked cookies, tea time treat
