Matcha Crinkle Cookies

Crinkle cookies are a classic, popular type of cookie - for good reason!

The signature tops of crinkle cookies are cracked and coated with powdered sugar. They tend to be softer, fluffier cookies than other cookies. They also tend to freeze well, so they're great to make ahead of time!

My Matcha Crinkle Cookies are a flavorful modern twist on this classic cookie style. Unlike my Lemon Crinkle Cookies, Strawberry Crinkle Cookies, and Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, these green tea cookies do not contain cake mix. The batter is made completely from scratch.

Like my Chewy Chocolate Fudge Cookies, these matcha cookies are thinner than the traditional cake-y crinkle cookies. They also have an almost fudgy center, so these are delicate, chewy cookies.

💚 What is matcha?

Matcha is essentially green tea powder. But these are not just made from any green tea. Matcha is finely ground powder from high grade green tea leaves that are specially grown.

This powdered green tea has become popular in part due to its reported health benefits.

Matcha is reportedly:

• high in antioxidants
• boosts brain function
• may help protect the liver
• may help prevent cancer
• might aid in weight loss

Of course, consult your personal doctor before including matcha in any sort of dietary regiment.

But it's a fun, vibrant, delicious ingredient to add to drinks, cookies, cakes, donuts, smoothies, and more! I love the bright green color it adds to these cookies.

⏲ Kitchen tools and equipment

For this recipe, you just need a few basic kitchen tools:

Mixing bowls - You'll need mixing bowls to make these cookies.

Stand mixer - You will also need a stand mixer. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can use a hand mixer and large mixing bowl.

Whisk - Make sure you have a sturdy whisk to combine the ingredients.

Spatula - A silicone spatula is helpful to scrape down the sides of the bowls while mixing ingredients.

Baking sheets - You'll need one or two baking sheets to bake the cookies, along with either parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Ingredients

Flour - I use half all-purpose flour and half cake flour, which creates a delicate, light cookie. If you prefer a sturdier cookie with more structure, you could use 100% all-purpose flour.

Matcha powder - Use culinary grade matcha to make these cookies; this is the matcha powder that I have used with success. You can also use ceremonial grade matcha if you prefer. Ceremonial grade matcha is more expensive, and great to use if you are using matcha as a tea or in other drinks. Otherwise, culinary grade matcha works perfectly in baked goods!

Baking powder and baking soda - description of what it is/how it is used with affiliate link where possible

Salt - I use kosher salt in this recipe. Since it's a small amount, you can substitute an equal amount of table salt instead.

Vegetable oil - Using vegetable oil instead of butter helps make these cookies moist and light.

Egg - Make sure you take your egg out about 30 minutes before you start baking so that it is at room temperature when you mix it into the dough.

Granulated sugar - You'll need granulated sugar for the dough, but also for the outer coating. Rolling the cookie dough first in granulated sugar helps make it easier to shape the sticky dough into a ball. It also helps the powdered sugar stick better to create that classic cracked crinkle top.

Powdered sugar - description of what it is/how it is used with affiliate link where possible

✅ Step-by-step baking instructions

Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card near the bottom of the post. Reading through these helpful longer instructions will help you make the best cookies!

In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, matcha powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a stand mixer - or in a large bowl using a hand mixer - beat together the eggs and 1 cup of the granulated sugar until light yellow and fluffy. Beat in the vegetable oil.

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture until well combined.

Chill the bowl in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

While the dough is chilling, place the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

After the dough has chilled for at least one hour, remove from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 320°F.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the dough WILL be sticky, and that's ok! If you scoop out the dough with a cookie scoop or spoon, and use your hands to form as close to a round ball as possible, then dunk it quickly into the granulated sugar. Start rolling it around in the sugar - the granulated sugar actually helps you shape and form the dough into more of a round ball.

Using a spoon or a medium cookie scoop, form the dough into small dough balls.

The dough will be sticky and this part can get messy, but try to use one hand for scooping/forming the dough balls and the other hand for rolling the balls in the sugars.

First, roll each dough ball into the granulated sugar, then into the powdered sugar, and set onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake one cookie sheet at a time, for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the tops are cracked and almost set. Remove and let the cookies cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Repeat baking the remaining batches. In total, you should bake about 3 or 4 batches, depending on the size of your cookies and how many you fit onto one sheet pan.

This recipe makes approximately 30 cookies.

🍪 Important Baking Tips and FAQs

🍽 What to serve with green tea cookies

Thanks to their bright green color, these matcha crinkle cookies are fantastic for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, or even Christmas!

Serve them for afternoon tea along with your favorite assortment of teas.

💚 If you're serving them at a table with a green theme, consider serving them with Green Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies, and Shamrock Shakes!

More cookie recipes

You may also want to try our Key Lime Cookies, Citrus Sugar Cookies, or Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. Or, try one of these other crinkle cookie recipes: