Matcha Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Crinkle cookies are a classic holiday treat known for their beautiful cracked appearance, chewy texture, and sweet coating of powdered sugar. While chocolate crinkle cookies have long held the spotlight, there’s a new contender rising in popularity—Matcha Crinkle Cookies. With their vibrant green color, unique earthy flavor, and stunning powdered sugar contrast, these cookies are a delightful twist on a festive favorite.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the charm of Matcha Crinkle Cookies, walk through an easy-to-follow recipe, and share tips to perfect your batch. Whether you’re preparing a holiday cookie tray or simply want to try something new, Matcha Crinkle Cookies will make a memorable impression.

What Are Matcha Crinkle Cookies?

Matcha Crinkle Cookies combine the traditional characteristics of a crinkle cookie—crisp edges, soft chewy centers, and a beautiful crackled sugar coating—with the rich, grassy taste of matcha green tea powder. Matcha is finely ground green tea leaves and has long been treasured in Japanese culture for its health benefits and calming properties.

Adding matcha to baked goods offers a pleasant earthy balance to sweet flavors. In crinkle cookies, it creates a striking contrast between the vibrant green interior and the white powdered sugar on top. The result is not just visually appealing, but also uniquely flavorful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is simple, requiring just a handful of pantry staples along with high-quality matcha powder. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 egg (at room temperature)

• 65 grams of sugar

• 60 grams of cooking oil (neutral oils like vegetable or canola oil work best)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 120 grams of flour (all-purpose or cake flour)

• 3 grams of baking powder

• 7 grams of matcha powder

• Extra granulated sugar and powdered sugar for coating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and sugar until the mixture becomes light and slightly frothy. This helps incorporate air into the batter and gives the cookies a soft texture.

Next, add the cooking oil and vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until well combined.

Sift in the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and matcha powder. Sifting helps to evenly distribute the matcha and prevent clumps, ensuring a smooth green dough.

Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the ingredients together until a soft dough forms. It may appear a bit sticky, but that’s perfectly fine.

2. Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is essential for crinkle cookies—it makes the dough easier to handle and helps create the iconic crackled top as the cookies expand in the oven.

You can even make the dough a day ahead and let it chill overnight.

3. Shape and Coat

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into balls about the size of a walnut.

First, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar. This step adds a little extra crunch. Then, roll them generously in powdered sugar. The thicker the layer of powdered sugar, the more dramatic the crackle effect will be when the cookies bake.

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them for spreading.

4. Bake

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The exact time will depend on your oven and the size of your cookies, but they should have a slightly firm edge and a soft center when done.

The cookies will puff up and crack as they bake, revealing the bright green matcha beneath the sugar coating.

Once done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips for Success

• Use high-quality matcha: The flavor and color of your cookies depend heavily on the quality of the matcha powder. Look for ceremonial or culinary-grade matcha from a trusted source.

• Don’t overbake: Matcha crinkle cookies should be soft and slightly chewy inside. Overbaking can result in dry cookies and muted color.

• Double coat in sugar: For the best crinkle effect, roll the dough balls in both granulated and powdered sugar. This helps keep the powdered sugar from dissolving into the dough during baking.

• Adjust sweetness if needed: Matcha has a naturally bitter taste. If you prefer a sweeter cookie, you can slightly increase the sugar in the dough, but be careful not to overpower the matcha flavor.

Why We Love Matcha Crinkle Cookies

Matcha Crinkle Cookies are the perfect balance of beauty, taste, and tradition with a twist. The green color adds a festive touch to any holiday spread and offers a sophisticated alternative to classic cookie flavors.

They’re also great for gifting. Pack them into a decorative tin or box with a handwritten note and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift that feels both luxurious and personal.

Matcha also brings several health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, helps boost focus and metabolism, and provides a gentle caffeine lift without the crash. So, you can indulge in these cookies with a little less guilt.

Storing Your Cookies

Store Matcha Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to five days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies or freeze the dough balls before baking. Just be sure to re-coat frozen dough in powdered sugar before baking to maintain the crinkle effect.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned cookie expert, Matcha Crinkle Cookies are a delightful recipe to add to your collection. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, these cookies are sure to impress at holiday parties, cookie swaps, or cozy tea times.

So, grab your matcha powder, preheat your oven, and let the magic of baking begin. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching these little green gems puff up, crackle, and transform into sweet, chewy bites of joy.

Happy baking!

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Matcha Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Learn how to make soft and chewy Matcha Crinkle Cookies with a vibrant green color, sweet powdered sugar coating, and rich matcha flavor.

Type: Dessert, Cookies

Cuisine: Japanese-inspired, Fusion

Keywords: matcha crinkle cookies, green tea cookies, holiday cookies, easy matcha cookies, crinkle cookies recipe

Recipe Yield: 12–15 cookies (depending on size)

Calories: Approximately 90–100 kcal per cookie (estimate)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 65g sugar
• 60g cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 120g all-purpose flour or cake flour
• 3g baking powder
• 7g matcha powder
• Granulated sugar (for coating)
• Powdered sugar (for coating)

Recipe Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and sugar until the mixture becomes light and slightly frothy. This helps incorporate air into the batter and gives the cookies a soft texture. Next, add the cooking oil and vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until well combined. Sift in the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and matcha powder. Sifting helps to evenly distribute the matcha and prevent clumps, ensuring a smooth green dough. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the ingredients together until a soft dough forms. It may appear a bit sticky, but that's perfectly fine.

2. Chill the Dough:

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is essential for crinkle cookies—it makes the dough easier to handle and helps create the iconic crackled top as the cookies expand in the oven. You can even make the dough a day ahead and let it chill overnight.

3. Shape and Coat:

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into balls about the size of a walnut. First, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar. This step adds a little extra crunch. Then, roll them generously in powdered sugar. The thicker the layer of powdered sugar, the more dramatic the crackle effect will be when the cookies bake. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them for spreading.

4. Bake:

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The exact time will depend on your oven and the size of your cookies, but they should have a slightly firm edge and a soft center when done. The cookies will puff up and crack as they bake, revealing the bright green matcha beneath the sugar coating. Once done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.