Irresistible Matcha Cookie Sandwiches Ready in 30 Minutes

I fell in love with matcha desserts during a trip to Kyoto, where I tasted the most incredible green tea sweets. That’s when I knew I had to create these Matcha Cookie Sandwiches at home. The earthy, slightly bitter matcha pairs perfectly with sweet vanilla frosting—it’s like a cozy hug in cookie form. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked! These cookies are crisp on the outside, tender inside, and that creamy filling? Pure magic. Plus, they come together so fast—just 15 minutes of prep for a treat that looks fancy but is totally doable.

Table of Contents

Oh, where do I even start with these little green wonders? Here’s why they’ll become your new obsession:

  • Quick magic: From bowl to table in under 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute cravings or surprise guests.
  • That gorgeous color: The vibrant green makes every bite feel like a special occasion (even if it’s just a Tuesday).
  • Texture heaven: Crisp edges with a tender center, sandwiched around cloud-like frosting—it’s the best of both worlds.
  • Not-too-sweet balance: Earthy matcha keeps the sweetness in check, so you can happily eat two (or three).
  • Crowd-pleaser: Kids go nuts for the sandwich look, adults adore the sophisticated flavor. Everybody wins!

Okay, let’s gather our goodies! The magic of these cookies comes from simple ingredients—but quality matters, especially with matcha. Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Dry ingredients:
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
    • 1 tablespoon ceremonial-grade matcha powder (trust me, splurge on the good stuff!)
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Wet ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes—no shortcuts!)
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For the dreamy frosting:
    • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (no lumps allowed!)
    • 2 tablespoons whole milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or more extract if you prefer)

See? Nothing crazy—just pantry staples plus that gorgeous green matcha. Pro tip: If your matcha smells fishy or dull, toss it. Fresh, vibrant powder makes all the difference!

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Matcha Cookie Sandwiches

Irresistible Matcha Cookie Sandwiches Ready in 30 Minutes


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cookie sandwiches
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delicious matcha cookie sandwiches filled with creamy vanilla frosting.


Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp matcha powder
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
  5. Scoop dough into small balls, place on baking sheet, and flatten slightly.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely.
  7. Mix powdered sugar and milk to make frosting. Spread between two cookies.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Adjust matcha powder for stronger or milder flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Japanese-inspired

Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these cookies! Here’s my trusty toolkit (probably already in your kitchen):

  • Large mixing bowl: For that buttery, matcha goodness. Mine’s a bit battered, but it gets the job done!
  • Hand mixer or sturdy wooden spoon: If you’ve got a mixer, great—but I’ve made these with elbow grease too. Just cream that butter real good.
  • Baking sheet + parchment paper: Non-negotiable unless you enjoy scrubbing pans (no thanks). Parchment keeps the bottoms perfectly golden.
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon: For evenly sized cookies—because lopsided sandwiches are sad sandwiches.
  • Wire rack: Lets cookies cool without getting soggy bottoms. (If you don’t have one, a clean towel works in a pinch.)

That’s it! See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s get mixing!

If matcha desserts make your heart skip a beat, don’t miss these chewy Matcha Crinkle Cookies—a simple yet stunning treat that highlights the same vibrant green tea flavor.

Alright, let’s turn these ingredients into magic! Follow these steps, and you’ll have the most gorgeous, delicious Matcha Cookie Sandwiches in no time. Promise.

Step 1: Prep the Dough

First things first—preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Now, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder (hello, vibrant green!), baking powder, and salt. Set that aside.

In your big mixing bowl, grab that softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together with a hand mixer (or your trusty wooden spoon) for a good 2-3 minutes until fluffy and pale. This step is key for that perfect cookie texture! Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined—don’t overmix here. Now, gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until the dough comes together. It should be slightly crumbly but hold together when pressed. So pretty already, right?

Step 2: Bake the Cookies

Time to shape! Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie (I use a small cookie scoop for evenness) and roll into balls. Place them a couple inches apart on your baking sheet—they’ll spread a bit. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers or the back of a spoon to about 1/4-inch thick. This helps them bake evenly and sandwich better later.

Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are just starting to turn golden—don’t overbake, or they’ll lose that perfect tenderness! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to sandwich them while warm—patience is key here.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

While the cookies cool, let’s whip up that dreamy filling. In a small bowl, sift your powdered sugar (no lumps, please!) and stir in the vanilla. Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time, stirring well after each, until you get a thick but spreadable consistency—like a fluffy cloud that holds its shape. Too runny? Add a bit more sugar. Too thick? A tiny splash more milk. Easy!

Once cookies are completely cool, spread about 1 teaspoon of frosting on the flat side of one cookie and gently press another on top. Voilà—your Matcha Cookie Sandwiches are ready to shine! That gorgeous green peeking out from the creamy center? Pure happiness on a plate.

Matcha Cookie Sandwiches - detail 1

After making dozens (okay, hundreds) of these cookies, I’ve learned all the tricks to avoid common mishaps. Here’s how to nail them every single time:

  • Watch that bake time: Set a timer for 10 minutes and check religiously—matcha cookies go from perfect to overdone in seconds. You want just the faintest golden edge.
  • Tame matcha bitterness: If your powder tastes harsh, whisk in 1/4 teaspoon extra sugar to the dry ingredients. Ceremonial-grade matcha makes all the difference here!
  • Frosting too runny? Pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up. Too thick? Add milk drop by drop—I’ve ruined batches by pouring too fast!
  • Cool completely: Warm cookies melt the frosting into a sad puddle. Wait until they’re room temp—I know, torture—for neat sandwiches.
  • Matcha storage: Keep unused powder in an airtight container in the fridge. It loses vibrancy and flavor fast when exposed to light and air.
  • Uniform sizes: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure for matching pairs. Nothing worse than odd-sized sandwich halves!

Bonus trick: If your first batch spreads too much, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Cold butter equals taller, prettier cookies. You’re welcome!

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, it’s time to play around! Here are my favorite twists—some came from happy accidents, others from desperate pantry raids that turned out genius:

  • White chocolate filling: Swap the vanilla frosting for melted white chocolate mixed with a splash of cream. It’s decadent and pairs amazingly with matcha’s earthiness. (Bonus: add a pinch of orange zest for a citrusy surprise!)
  • Almond flour magic: Replace 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nutty depth. The texture becomes extra tender—just add an extra minute to the bake time.
  • Black sesame crunch: Stir 2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds into the dough. The nutty flavor and subtle crunch take these cookies next-level. My Japanese aunt approved this variation!
  • Berry surprise: Sandwich a thin layer of raspberry jam with the frosting—the tartness cuts through the sweetness beautifully. (Pro tip: freeze the jam for 15 minutes first so it doesn’t squish out.)

The best part? You can mix and match these ideas. Last week I did almond flour cookies with white chocolate filling and crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top—absolute heaven. What will you try first?

Okay, confession time—I’ve never actually had these last the full 3 days because they disappear so fast! But if you’ve got more willpower than me, here’s how to keep them fresh:

  • Airtight is everything: Layer them in a container with parchment between stacks so they don’t stick. My grandma’s old biscuit tin works perfectly!
  • Room temp magic: They’ll stay perfect at cool room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid the fridge—it dries out the cookies and makes the frosting weirdly hard.
  • Freezer hack: For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies separately in ziplock bags for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp, then frost when ready to serve—the texture stays amazing.
  • Frosting tip: Made too much filling? Store it in a little jar in the fridge for up to a week. Just stir in a few drops of milk to loosen it up when you’re ready to use it.

Pro tip from my many “experiments”: If your kitchen runs hot, stash the container in the coolest spot (not near the oven!). That frosting holds up better away from heat. And whatever you do—don’t cover them while still warm unless you enjoy soggy cookies. Learned that one the hard way!

Okay, let’s chat real quick about what’s in these delightful little sandwiches—because yes, they’re a treat, but matcha actually brings some goodness to the party too! (That’s my excuse for eating three at a time, anyway.)

Now, full disclosure: these numbers are estimates because your ingredients might differ slightly from mine. Did you use heavy cream instead of milk in the frosting? Maybe a heaping scoop of matcha? Those tweaks change things. But here’s the general picture:

Each cookie sandwich gives you that perfect balance of rich, earthy matcha and sweet vanilla—with a bit of protein from the egg and antioxidants from the tea powder. They’re not exactly health food (let’s be real), but compared to some desserts, they’re not total sugar bombs either!

One thing I love? Matcha’s natural caffeine gives you a gentle lift without coffee’s jitters. It’s my secret weapon for afternoon slumps. Just remember—these are treats meant to be savored, not inhaled by the dozen. Though I won’t judge if you do!

And for even more creative dessert ideas with a trendy twist, explore our curated boards on Pinterest where inspiration is always fresh.

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the top things people ask me about these addictive little cookies:

Can I use almond milk in the frosting?

Absolutely! Any milk works, but the frosting might be slightly thinner. Start with half the amount and add gradually.

How can I make the matcha flavor stronger?

Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder to the dough. Just don’t exceed 2 tablespoons total or the cookies might turn bitter.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Your butter was probably too soft. Next time, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking—or check that your oven’s at the right temp!

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yep! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 GF blend. The texture will be slightly more delicate, but just as delicious.

Help—my frosting is too sweet!

Try adding a pinch of salt or 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to balance it out. Or use less powdered sugar and more milk for a lighter version.

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