These matcha crinkle cookies are the perfect softness and chewiness with a strong matcha flavor! The best part of this cookie recipe is that it does NOT REQUIRE CHILLING THE DOUGH. Whether you’re looking for a creative Christmas cookie flavor or just want some matcha cookies in your life, this easy recipe is for you! *Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
What Are Crinkle Cookies?
Crinkle cookies are often seen around Christmastime, usually as chocolate crinkle cookies. The “crinkle” in the name refers to the cracked powdered sugar pattern on the surface of the cookies. The cookies are typically more rounded in shape with a soft and chewy texture, instead of flat and crispy.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a powder made from super finely ground shade-grown green tea leaves. Unlike brewing regular green tea, where you steep leaves and then remove them before drinking, matcha powder is meant to be consumed. Typically, you would whisk matcha with hot water to suspend the powder. You can drink it just like that or add more water for a thinner tea. You could also make a matcha latte (my preference) by adding sweetener and some sort of milk instead of water. Check out my perfect vegan matcha latte recipe to give it a try!
Like coffee, different blends of green tea leaves result in different flavor profiles of matcha. It can be earthy, umami, bitter, and/or sharp tasting. I love trying different blends to see which matcha flavors I like the best! Looking for more information and recommendations for matcha? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Matcha post.
What Matcha to Use for Baking Cookies?
So, now that we know that different blends of matcha have different flavors, what matcha should you use for baking? I recommend using a matcha blend that has a very strong earthy flavor. Bitter matcha, which I do not enjoy drinking, actually works pretty well in baking. The matcha that I used in this recipe is Maeda-en Ceremonial Matcha.
Should I use Ceremonial or Culinary Grade Matcha for Baking?
If you read my Beginner’s Guide to Matcha post, then you’ll know that the “grades” of matcha were actually made up to market matcha to Western audiences. They’re not used in Japan! And there are no regulations or standards on what those labels should mean! So instead of going strictly by “culinary” labels for cooking, my advice is to go by flavor.
Now, when it comes to baking, which uses much more matcha than drinking, you don’t want to be using up your most expensive matcha. Unfortunately, though, although culinary and ceremonial labels may not be helpful, quality is still important.
The Costco matcha? Sencha naturals? NOT GOOD. When you open the bag, you’ll notice the matcha is a much lighter yellow-ish color and not bright green. The flavor is also very weak, which means your cookies will not only not look vibrantly green, but they will not taste enough like matcha!
It might take some trial and error to find the best-tasting matcha for baking that’s also good for your budget. If you’ve got one you like, please let me know. My wallet will thank you.
Help! The Powdered Sugar Melted on My Cookies!
This baking tip goes for all crinkle cookies, not just the matcha ones. You HAVE to roll your cookie dough in granulated sugar before you dip in powdered sugar. This is a step that I, too, have been tempted to skip. But without that granulated sugar coating the cookie dough, the powdered sugar will completely dissolve as your cookie bakes.
Tips and Tools for Making No Chill Crinkle Cookies
Most crinkle cookie recipes call for chilling the dough because it’s so sticky and soft. Chilling the cookie dough makes the dough easier to work with. This matcha crinkle cookie recipe does fine without chilling, but there are a few tips and tricks that will help.
Tip one: When you cream the butter and sugar, cream the baking soda and baking powder with it. Stella Parks of Bravetart does this and has explained the science much better than I can. But the main point is that my cookies always end up more evenly puffed up when I cream my leaveners with the butter and sugar. No flat cookies for this recipe.
Tip two: Use a cookie scoop! It evenly portions out every cookie dough ball, meaning less time the dough stays in my warm little hands, potentially melting all the hard work I put into aerating my butter.
Tip three: Keep your kitchen cool. If you’re baking in a hot, 80-degree kitchen, I’m not sure you’re going to have any choice but to stick that dough in the fridge. You know your baking conditions the best, so you do you.
More Matcha Recipes
If you enjoyed these matcha crinkle cookies, check out my other recipes below:
- Matcha Shortbread Slice and Bake Cookies
- Perfect Vegan Matcha Latte
- Matcha Horchata Latte
- Matcha Mochi Waffles
Best Matcha Crinkle Cookies (No Chilling!)
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 cup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 3 tbsp matcha See notes
For rolling:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp matcha optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream room temperature butter with sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add in eggs and mix until homogenous.
- Sift matcha into your flour and pour into your mixing bowl, slowly mixing until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Sift tsp of matcha and powdered sugar and set aside.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop 1.5 tbsp balls of dough.
- Roll the balls in the granulated sugar, then the matcha powdered sugar.
- Place on your baking sheet and bake for 11 minutes.
Video
@mochimommyblog Replying to @tan.sin_cos.127 okay okay, full recipe is on the blog, but here’s the bare bones: Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 eggs 2 cups flour 2-3 tbsp matcha (depending on how strong you like matcha flavor) For rolling: 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp matcha (optional) Method: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream room temperature butter with sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in eggs and mix until homogenous. Sift matcha into your flour and pour into your mixing bowl, slowly mixing until all ingredients are incorporated. Sift tsp of matcha and powdered sugar and set aside. Using a cookie scoop, scoop 1.5 tbsp balls of dough. Roll the balls in the granulated sugar, then the matcha powdered sugar. Place on your baking sheet and bake for 11 minutes. #matcha #bakingwithmatcha #matchacookies #crinklecookies #matchadesserts #matcharecipes #christmascookierecipe
♬ You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (From “Dr. Suess’ the Grinch 2018”) – Starlite Singers