Soft Matcha Sugar Cookies (Printer-Friendly Version)

Tender green tea cookies with a balance of sweet vanilla and a soft, sugar-crusted finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon culinary-grade matcha powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly incorporated.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture and beat until smooth and combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft, uniform dough forms. Avoid over-mixing to maintain tenderness.
05 - If dough is sticky or too soft to handle, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to improve manageability and shape retention.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, optionally roll in granulated sugar for a sparkling crust, and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
08 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are set but centers appear soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain softness.
09 - Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Use culinary-grade matcha for vibrant color and fresh flavor. Refrigerating dough overnight intensifies taste and improves texture.
02 - Remove cookies from oven when centers remain slightly soft to preserve tenderness as they cool.
03 - Uniform cookie sizes promote even baking; use a cookie scoop for consistent results.