Magical Matcha Crinkle Cookies You’ll Adore

I’ll never forget the first time I baked matcha crinkle cookies. My kitchen smelled like a Japanese tea house, and the vibrant green color made me feel like I’d created something magical. These cookies are my happy place – the perfect balance of earthy matcha and sweet vanilla, with that irresistible crinkle effect that makes them look as good as they taste. What I love most is how the powdered sugar coating cracks as they bake, revealing that gorgeous green center. They’re soft, chewy, and just sweet enough to satisfy your cookie craving without being overwhelming. Trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why these matcha crinkle cookies have become my most requested recipe!

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Why You’ll Love These Matcha Crinkle Cookies

These cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re practically magical. Here’s why they’ve become my go-to treat:

• Quick & easy: From bowl to baking sheet in under 30 minutes (perfect for last-minute cravings!)
• That gorgeous green: The matcha powder gives them a vibrant color that makes everyone say “wow”
• Perfect balance: Just the right amount of earthy matcha flavor to complement the sweetness
• Soft, chewy centers with that signature crinkle top—pure cookie heaven!
• Great for gifting: Package them in a pretty box or tin for holidays (they always disappear fast!)

Seriously, these cookies check all the boxes. The first time I made them for friends, they demanded the recipe—now it’s your turn to wow people!

Ingredients for Matcha Crinkle Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference with these cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled (no packing!)
• 1 tbsp matcha powder – use ceremonial grade for that vibrant green color
• 1 tsp baking powder – fresh is best for maximum lift
• 1/4 tsp salt – just enough to balance the sweetness
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter – softened (leave it out for 30 minutes)
• 1 cup granulated sugar – regular white sugar works perfectly
• 2 large eggs – room temperature helps them incorporate better
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – pure vanilla makes all the difference
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar – for that snowy crinkle coating

Pro tip: Measure your matcha powder first thing – its vibrant green color will make your whole baking day brighter!

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How to Make Matcha Crinkle Cookies

Now for the fun part – let’s turn these simple ingredients into magical green cookies! I’ve made these dozens of times, and these steps will help you nail them on your first try.

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

First, grab your biggest mixing bowl (I always use my favorite blue one!) and whisk together the flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt. Here’s my secret – sift the matcha powder through a fine mesh strainer first to prevent any clumps. Nothing ruins cookie texture like biting into a bitter matcha lump! This dry mixture is your flavor foundation, so take your time blending it evenly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In another bowl (or your stand mixer if you’re fancy), beat the softened butter and sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and pale yellow – about 3-4 minutes. Don’t skimp on this step! Proper creaming creates air pockets that make the cookies tender. Add eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, mixing just until combined. The smell at this point is heavenly!

Step 3: Combine and Shape Dough

Now for the magic merge! Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. If the dough feels sticky (especially on humid days), pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then roll tablespoon-sized portions into smooth balls – I use a #40 cookie scoop for perfect 1-inch portions every time.

Step 4: Coat and Bake

Here comes the signature crinkle effect! Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar – I like to do two coats for extra snowy goodness. Place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined sheets (they’ll spread). Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges set but centers stay soft. Pro tip: pull them when they look slightly underdone – they’ll finish cooking on the hot pan!

If you’re craving more unique cookies, these Keto Fat Bomb Cookies deliver rich flavor and a guilt-free twist you’ll love.

Tips for Perfect Matcha Crinkle Cookies

After making these cookies more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Chill sticky dough – 30 minutes in the fridge makes rolling so much easier (warm dough = flat cookies!)
• Invest in good matcha – ceremonial grade gives that vibrant green color and rich flavor (skip the dull supermarket stuff)
• Underbake slightly – pull them at 10 minutes when centers still look soft for that perfect chew
• Double-coat in sugar – roll once, let sit 5 minutes, then roll again for maximum crinkle effect
• Space them out – 2 inches apart minimum (I learned this the hard way with cookie merges!)

Follow these and your cookies will turn out bakery-perfect every single time!

Matcha Crinkle Cookies Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try these fun twists that keep things interesting! My favorite is adding white chocolate chips – the creamy sweetness plays so nicely with the earthy matcha. For a marbled effect, swap half the matcha for cocoa powder (kids love this version). Feeling fancy? Drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate for extra decadence. The possibilities are endless!

Storing and Freezing Matcha Crinkle Cookies

Here’s the best part – these cookies stay fresh for days! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days (if they last that long!). For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for 2 months, or freeze the dough balls (uncoated) for up to a month – just add the powdered sugar right before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy, pop frozen cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic!

Matcha Crinkle Cookies Nutrition

Okay, let’s be real – we don’t bake cookies for their health benefits! But if you’re curious about what’s in each delightful bite, here’s the scoop. Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on brands used, but on average, one of these matcha crinkle cookies contains:

• 120 calories – perfect for a sweet little treat
• 10g sugar – just enough to satisfy that sweet tooth
• 2g protein – thanks to the eggs and flour
• 5g fat (3g saturated) – because butter makes everything better
• 17g carbs – for that perfect chewy texture
• 0.5g fiber – bonus points from the matcha!

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I will say – that teaspoon of matcha powder does add some antioxidants to each cookie. So really, you’re basically eating health food, right? (Wink!) The way I see it, life’s too short not to enjoy these little green delights!

Find even more creative cookie recipes and matcha-inspired treats on our Pinterest boards—a go-to hub for fresh baking ideas.

FAQs About Matcha Crinkle Cookies

I’ve gotten so many questions about these cookies over the years – here are the answers to the ones I hear most often!