Heavenly Brown Butter Matcha Cookies Recipe for Bakers

Buttery, rich, and utterly irresistible, these brown butter matcha cookies blend the nutty depth of browned butter with the vibrant green tea essence of matcha.

The golden-brown edges promise a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, tender center bursting with complex flavors.

Swirling together the earthy notes of matcha with the caramelized warmth of brown butter creates a cookie that’s both sophisticated and comforting.

Each bite delivers a delicate balance of sweetness and subtle bitterness that dance across your palate.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet treat that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this delightful cookie that’s sure to impress at any gathering or quiet moment of indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Calories: 158 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients You’ll Need for Brown Butter Matcha Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and texture, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best results.
• Matcha Powder: Delivers vibrant green color and earthy tea flavor, select high-quality ceremonial grade for intense taste.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening power.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Browned Butter: Creates nutty, caramelized depth, brown slowly to develop rich golden color.
• White Sugar, Raw Sugar: Contribute sweetness and unique caramel notes, blend for balanced texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use room temperature for smooth incorporation.

• White Chocolate Chunks: Provides creamy sweetness and textural contrast, choose high-quality chocolate with smooth melting properties.

Kitchen Tools for Baking Brown Butter Matcha Cookies

• Small saucepan: Perfect for browning butter to golden perfection.
• Mixing bowls: Two separate bowls for dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and preventing lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure consistent results.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Wire rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crisp edges.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding in white chocolate chunks.
• Cookie scoop or spoon: Creates uniform cookie sizes for even baking.

How to Make Brown Butter Matcha Cookies from Scratch

• Butter Magic Transformation

Melt butter in a small pan over gentle heat, watching it turn golden with toasty milk specks. Let it cool down and develop deep, nutty flavors.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Mix flour, earthy matcha powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a cozy bowl, creating a foundation for deliciousness.

• Sweet Liquid Symphony

Combine the cooled brown butter with white and raw sugars, whisking until silky. Crack in an egg and blend until the mixture becomes light and dreamy.

• Dough Fusion

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a luscious cookie dough. Sprinkle in white chocolate chunks for delightful surprise bites.

• Chill and Rest

Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet and let it relax in the refrigerator for half an hour, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

• Oven Performance

Heat oven to 175°C. Bake cookies for 8 minutes, then add extra white chocolate pieces and continue baking for another 5 minutes until edges turn golden.

• Sweet Finale

Let cookies cool on a wire rack, allowing them to set and become perfectly crisp and tender before savoring.

Flavor Tips to Improve Brown Butter Matcha Cookies

• Swap white chocolate for dark chocolate chips to intensify the matcha's earthy notes and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond and rice flour to transform these cookies into a celiac-friendly treat without sacrificing texture.
• Increase the matcha powder by an extra teaspoon for home bakers who love a stronger green tea flavor and want more pronounced color and depth.
• Freeze the dough balls for 15 minutes before baking to achieve perfectly crisp edges and a wonderfully chewy center that melts in your mouth.

Ways to Serve Brown Butter Matcha Cookies Warm or Chilled

• Green Tea Dessert Pairing: Serve these matcha cookies alongside a steaming cup of traditional Japanese green tea for an authentic flavor experience that enhances the subtle matcha notes.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Create a sophisticated tea tray with these cookies, adding delicate lavender shortbread or almond biscuits to complement the unique matcha profile.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Transform these cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches by spreading premium vanilla bean or green tea ice cream between two cooled cookies for a luxurious summer treat.
• Gifting Gourmet Package: Package these cookies in a beautiful kraft paper box with a ribbon, perfect as a thoughtful homemade gift for tea lovers or matcha enthusiasts who appreciate artisan baking.

Store Brown Butter Matcha Cookies Without Losing Texture

• Matcha Cookie Meal Planning & Storage Magic
• Chilled Dough Delight: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum flavor development and convenience.
• Freezer-Friendly Method: Shape cookie dough into balls and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, place frozen dough directly on baking sheet and add 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Room Temperature Harmony: Store completely cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Place a small piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent crumbling.
• Smart Portion Control: Separate cookie layers with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual cookie integrity. This trick keeps each matcha cookie looking perfect and tasting fresh.

Silky Brown Butter Matcha Cookies

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delicate brown butter matcha cookies blend Japanese green tea elegance with rich, nutty browned butter notes. Sweet, crumbly rounds offer a sophisticated dessert experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) unsalted butter
• 120 grams (4.2 oz) white chocolate, chopped
• 153 grams (5.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 70 grams (2.5 oz) white sugar
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) raw or light brown sugar
• 10 grams (0.35 oz) matcha powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• extra white chocolate for topping

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Instructions

1. Butter Transformation: Heat butter in a saucepan over medium flame, stirring continuously until it develops a golden hue with caramelized milk solids. Allow the liquid to cool to ambient temperature, creating a nutty, complex flavor profile.
2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Whisk flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components for consistent cookie texture.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Cream cooled browned butter with white and raw sugars until well-integrated. Introduce egg and beat vigorously until the mixture becomes light and aerated, creating a smooth, homogeneous base.
4. Dough Development: Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently until a unified dough emerges. Delicately integrate white chocolate chunks throughout the cookie mixture, distributing them evenly.
5. Chilling and Preparation: Portion dough using a cookie scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to intensify flavors and improve cookie structure.
6. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Place chilled dough in the oven and bake for approximately 12-13 minutes, strategically adding extra white chocolate pieces halfway through cooking for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
7. Cooling and Serving: Remove cookies from the oven when edges turn golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and achieve optimal texture before indulging in their rich, nuanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Brown the Butter Carefully: Watch the butter closely while melting to prevent burning, looking for golden-brown color and nutty aroma without scorching.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the dough helps intensify flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
• Balance Matcha Intensity: Adjust matcha powder quantity to control the green tea flavor’s strength, ensuring it complements rather than overwhelms the cookie.
• Control Chocolate Distribution: Gently fold white chocolate chunks to prevent overmixing, maintaining distinct chocolate pockets throughout the cookie.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 158
• Sugar: 9.2 g
• Sodium: 47 mg
• Fat: 8.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20.1 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 16 mg