If you are ready to indulge in a cookie that bursts with vibrant colors and layers of flavor, you will love this Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe. These delightful treats combine the subtle earthiness of matcha green tea with the sweet and tangy goodness of strawberry frosting, creating a perfectly balanced flavor sensation. The soft, buttery texture of the cookies paired with two complementary frostings makes every bite a little piece of heaven. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply want a unique twist on classic cookies, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a few simple yet essential ingredients is all it takes to craft these stunning cookies. Each component plays a crucial role, contributing to the cookies’ texture, flavor, and that gorgeous, natural color palette.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookie dough and frostings.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crackly, crisp edge on the cookies.
- Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel depth to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
- Egg: Acts as a binder for the dough, ensuring structure and softness.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for the cookie, providing structure to hold the mix-ins and frostings.
- Matcha powder (culinary grade): Delivers the signature green hue and a fresh, delicate earthy taste.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Provide the right lift and lightness.
- White chocolate, chopped: Melts beautifully inside the cookie, offering pockets of creamy sweetness.
- Icing sugar: Essential for smooth, silky frostings that hold their shape.
- Milk or cream: Adjusts frosting consistency for easy spreading or piping.
- Full-fat cream cheese: Adds creaminess and a slight tang to the strawberry frosting.
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder: Infuses a bright, fruity flavor and natural pink color to the frosting.
How to Make Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
Start by creaming together the unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is fluffy and light, which sets the stage for tender cookies. Next, mix in vanilla extract and a room temperature egg, beating just until everything is well combined. This careful approach ensures your cookies have the perfect texture.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, matcha powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mixing slowly allows the dough to come together without overworking, which helps maintain softness.
Step 3: Fold in White Chocolate
Gently fold the chopped white chocolate into the dough, evenly distributing those sweet, creamy morsels. Then, pop your dough into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies keep their shape during baking.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a scoop or spoon, portion the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space for the cookies to spread a bit. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let them cool completely on a wire rack to prepare for frosting.
Step 5: Make the Matcha Frosting
Beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually add sifted icing sugar and matcha powder. Slowly mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or cream to adjust the consistency until it’s just right for spreading—creamy but not runny. This frosting layer amplifies the cookies’ green tea flavor beautifully.
Step 6: Frost the Cookies with Matcha Layer
Spread a thin, even layer of the matcha frosting on each cooled cookie. Place the frosted cookies in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes so the frosting can set slightly, providing a sturdy base for the next frosting layer.
Step 7: Make the Strawberry Frosting
Beat together softened butter and sifted icing sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and freeze-dried strawberry powder for a punch of fruity flavor and gorgeous color, then mix in softened cream cheese. Continue beating until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and thick enough to spread or pipe beautifully.
Step 8: Top with Strawberry Frosting
Finally, spread or pipe the strawberry frosting over the chilled matcha layer on each cookie. Return the cookies to the fridge once again so the frosting firms up for clean, impressive results when serving. These two frosting layers create a stunning flavor and visual contrast you won’t want to miss.
How to Serve Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra flair can elevate your cookies from delicious to show-stopping. Consider topping each cookie with a small sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberry bits or a light dusting of matcha powder for an artistic, colorful finish. These simple garnishes enhance both texture and presentation.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of green tea or a light, fruity white tea that compliments the matcha’s earthiness and strawberry’s sweetness. For an indulgent treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the flavors even more.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift giving, arrange these cookies on a vibrant, patterned platter that brings out the green and pink hues. Stack them neatly or layer with parchment paper in pretty boxes for an edible gift that’s both beautiful and irresistible. You can even pipe the strawberry frosting in fun shapes or designs to add a personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps maintain their softness and keeps the frostings stable. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the fridge may extend freshness but allow the cookies to come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze both the baked cookies and the frostings separately for best results. Place baked, cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag for up to a month. Freeze frostings in small portions, thawing and whipping briefly before use.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies fresh, remove from the freezer and let thaw at room temperature. You can warm them slightly in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to revive that just-baked aroma and soften the texture, but be careful not to melt the frosting layers.
FAQs
Can I use regular powdered sugar instead of icing sugar for the frosting?
Icing sugar is finely powdered and often contains a bit of cornstarch, which helps the frosting achieve that smooth, silky texture. Using regular powdered sugar might change the consistency, so it’s best to stick with icing sugar for this recipe.
Is culinary matcha powder different from the one used for drinking?
Culinary grade matcha is specifically made for cooking and baking. It has a stronger flavor and is less delicate than ceremonial grade matcha used for tea. For this recipe, culinary grade matcha is ideal to ensure a robust flavor that holds up well during baking.
Can I substitute fresh strawberries for the freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Fresh strawberries add lovely flavor but their moisture content can alter the frosting’s texture and consistency. Freeze-dried strawberry powder provides concentrated flavor without extra liquid, making it the best choice for a smooth, stable frosting.
How do I prevent the cookie dough from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking is key to preventing excess spreading. The cold dough holds its shape better under oven heat, resulting in thicker, more uniform cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Just be aware that texture and spread may vary slightly, so adjust baking times as needed and chill the dough well before baking.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe enough—it’s a fun and unique way to wow your friends, family, or even just treat yourself. The harmony between the delicate matcha and sweet strawberry frosting is absolutely magical. Once you try making these, I’m sure you’ll find yourself reaching for matcha and strawberries time and again to recreate this delicious treat.
Print
Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these vibrant Strawberry Frosted Matcha Cookies featuring a tender matcha-infused cookie base topped with two luscious frostings—a smooth matcha buttercream layer followed by a creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced sweet and earthy flavors make these cookies a stunning treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp matcha powder (culinary grade)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup white chocolate, chopped
Matcha Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ to 2 cups icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream, as needed for consistency
Strawberry Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1½ to 2 cups icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3–4 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Make the cookie dough: Cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. Add the vanilla extract and room-temperature egg, then beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, culinary grade matcha powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a smooth, consistent dough.
- Fold in white chocolate: Gently fold the chopped white chocolate evenly into the cookie dough. Once mixed, cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the chilled dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies evenly. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the matcha frosting: Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sifted icing sugar and the matcha powder, continuing to beat until the frosting is thick. Add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Frost the cookies: Spread a thin, even layer of matcha frosting on the top of each cooled cookie. Place the frosted cookies in the refrigerator and chill for 10 to 15 minutes to set the frosting.
- Make strawberry frosting: Beat together the softened butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and freeze-dried strawberry powder, mixing until incorporated. Then add softened cream cheese and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Top with strawberry frosting: Spread or pipe the strawberry cream cheese frosting over the chilled matcha layer on each cookie. For best results and clean frosting lines, chill the frosted cookies again before serving.
Notes
- Use culinary grade matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant green color.
- Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature before starting the dough to achieve better texture.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent spreading and ensures thicker cookies.
- If the frosting is too thick, add milk or cream a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh; allow them to come to room temperature before serving for best taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
