Imagine the elegance of a cozy café packed right into a soft, chewy cookie! That’s exactly what you get with Matcha Latte Cookies—each bite wraps together the gentle earthiness of matcha and the creamy luxury of mascarpone, both topped with an extra swirl of matcha magic. Whether you’re a longtime matcha enthusiast or just dipping your toes into green tea desserts, these cookies are an irresistible treat that look and taste bakery-worthy, yet are shockingly easy to make at home. Get ready to seriously impress at your next brunch, tea party, or solo afternoon snack break!

Matcha Latte Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these Matcha Latte Cookies is all in the details—simple, high-quality ingredients join forces to deliver a cookie that’s as gorgeous to look at as it is delicious. Each component is chosen for its ability to boost texture, flavor, or that striking green color. Here’s what you’ll need:

Butter (melted and cooled): Lends richness and creates that irresistible soft, chewy center.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps set up a light, cakey crumb.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds a bit of lift.
Vanilla extract: Balances the earthy notes of matcha with a cozy, sweet fragrance.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that shapes these cookies perfectly.
Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift, ensuring the cookies don’t turn out too dense.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just the right amount for that classic bakery look.
Matcha powder: The star ingredient! Brings both bold color and vibrant green tea flavor.
Salt: Just a pinch brings all the other flavors into sharp focus.
Mascarpone: This creamy Italian cheese will transform into a velvety topping, giving latte vibes in every bite.
Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the mascarpone cream without adding graininess.
Agave or honey: Adds natural sweetness and a subtle depth to the topping.
Heavy cream: Whipped in for plush, cloud-like frosting.
Extra matcha powder (for dusting): For that final bakery flourish and a pop of color.

How to Make Matcha Latte Cookies

Step 1: Melt and Cool Your Butter

Start by gently melting your butter—the key here is to do it slowly, in the microwave or over low heat, so you don’t lose any moisture. Let it cool in the fridge until it’s back to room temp. This little step makes a world of difference and ensures your Matcha Latte Cookies turn out gloriously soft, not greasy!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Once your butter is cooled, mix it with the granulated sugar until combined and a bit fluffy—about a minute if using a spatula or stand mixer. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and blend until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This builds the perfect base for flavor and texture.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, matcha powder, and salt. The matcha will tint the flour with that signature lush green hue—don’t you just love that instant pop of color? Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Use a cookie scoop (or a couple of tablespoons) to portion your dough into 11 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, then gently flatten so they look a bit like a donut—this makes the perfect base for your mascarpone topping later. Pop them onto a parchment-lined tray and chill for at least 30 minutes; this step keeps your cookies tall and thick when baked.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C). Place six cookies per tray (the rest can hang out in the fridge) and bake for 10 to 11 minutes. The edges should look set but the centers stay soft—resist the urge to overbake! Let them cool on the tray a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling completely.

Step 6: Make the Mascarpone Cream

Whip together the mascarpone, vanilla, confectioners’ sugar, agave (or honey), and heavy cream on high speed until you get stiff, luscious peaks. This pillowy cream is what turns Matcha Latte Cookies from good to unforgettable!

Step 7: Decorate and Dust

Spoon or pipe the mascarpone cream onto each cooled cookie in a beautiful swirl, starting from the center and working outward. Finish with a sifted cloud of matcha powder for that upscale, patisserie-inspired look.

How to Serve Matcha Latte Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies are beautiful on their own, but a few extra touches take them to the next level. Finish each with a delicate dusting of matcha powder, a sprinkle of white chocolate shavings, or even a few edible dried rose petals for a floral pop. The vibrant green color really shines with contrasting garnishes!

Side Dishes

To enhance the matcha flavor, serve Matcha Latte Cookies with a pot of jasmine tea or a creamy iced latte. For something decadent, pair with vanilla bean ice cream or a tart lemon sorbet—the rich mascarpone is just incredible with these cool, bright flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Matcha Latte Cookies on tiered trays for an afternoon tea vibe or stack them in glass jars tied with ribbon for a sweet gift. For a fancy dessert, sandwich two cookies with extra mascarpone cream in the middle, then dust with matcha right before serving for a dramatic finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your cookies soft and your mascarpone topping fresh, store assembled Matcha Latte Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay lovely for up to 3 days. If you want to keep things ultra-fresh, store the cookies and the mascarpone cream separately, then assemble just before serving.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze the cookie bases (without topping) after baking and cooling! Stack them with parchment paper between layers in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months. The mascarpone cream doesn’t freeze well, so make it fresh when ready to enjoy. Thaw cookies at room temperature, then decorate as usual.

Reheating

To refresh the cookie bases, just pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2-3 minutes. This brings back their just-baked softness! Always wait until cool before adding the mascarpone topping.

FAQs

What kind of matcha should I use for Matcha Latte Cookies?

Go for a culinary-grade matcha powder for baking—it’s vibrant and flavorful without being overly bitter or expensive. Save the pricier ceremonial grades for sipping, and let the cookies shine.

Can I substitute the mascarpone in the cream topping?

Yes! If mascarpone isn’t handy, you can substitute with full-fat cream cheese. The flavor will be slightly tangier, but still deliciously rich and spreadable.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, ideally one designed for baking and containing xanthan gum. The cookies’ texture may be a bit different, but the gorgeous green and that latte sweetness will still come through.

Are Matcha Latte Cookies suitable for kids?

Absolutely. The matcha gives a pleasant flavor without much caffeine, especially compared to a cup of tea or coffee, so they make a fun and unique treat for all ages. Of course, moderation and age-appropriateness are key, as with any sweet!

Can I make the dough or cream ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cookie dough can be prepped and kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours, ready to bake when needed. The mascarpone cream can also be whipped up a day ahead and stored, covered, in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble your Matcha Latte Cookies.

Final Thoughts

Baking a batch of Matcha Latte Cookies is more than just whipping up dessert—it’s like sharing a piece of edible art with the people you love. Each bite is creamy, dreamy, and vibrantly green. I hope you try them soon and watch them disappear just as quickly as you can make them!