If you are on the lookout for a delightful treat that combines a unique, earthy flavor with the perfect tender bite, this Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies boast a vibrant green hue from the matcha powder, bringing not only a beautiful pop of color but also a subtle, sophisticated tea flavor that truly sets them apart. Best of all, they’re entirely plant-based, using simple vegan ingredients that come together to create a cookie with a soft middle and just the right amount of sweetness. The ease of making these cookies makes them a charming addition to your baking repertoire, whether it’s for a cozy afternoon snack or impressing friends with something a little special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting these vegan matcha cookies is surprisingly straightforward because each ingredient plays a key role in achieving that wonderful texture and flavor we all crave. From the slightly softened vegan butter that guarantees a tender crumb to the matcha powder which imparts that signature tea taste and green color, every item is essential for making these cookies shine.
- 1 cup vegan butter (slightly softened): This provides richness and helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and aids in the creaming process for fluffiness.
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water): Acts as a perfect vegan binder to help hold the cookies together.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour: The structural base of the cookies for the perfect chew.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Ensures the cookies rise slightly for a delightful soft texture.
- 1.5 tablespoons matcha powder: Delivers the distinctive green tea flavor and a beautiful green tint.
- 1 small pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the matcha’s subtle bitterness.
How to Make Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Flax Egg
Start by mixing your ground flaxseed with water in a small bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This little mixture acts as your vegan egg substitute, providing the perfect binding for the cookie dough, making sure your cookies hold their shape without compromising on that tender texture we all love.
Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the rack in the middle position. Line your baking sheet with a Silpat non-stick mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Getting this ready ahead keeps your workflow smooth.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, combine the softened vegan butter and granulated sugar. Using a mixer on low speed, cream them together until fluffy and light. This step is key because properly creamed butter and sugar creates a tender, soft crumb in your cookies.
Step 4: Add the Flax Egg and Vanilla
Pour the flax egg and vanilla extract into your butter-sugar mixture. Mix gently at low speed to combine everything thoroughly, infusing the dough with that lovely vanilla aroma.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, matcha powder, and salt in a separate medium bowl. This ensures that the matcha powder and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout your cookie dough for consistent flavor and texture.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Be patient and make sure all the flour is incorporated; this creates a smooth, uniform dough ready for shaping.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Roll your dough into rounded balls about 1.5 inches in diameter and place them spaced a couple of inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. The cookies will spread as they bake. Bake for about 11 to 12 minutes to achieve soft cookies with just slightly undercooked middles, or adjust the timing to suit your preference exactly.
Step 8: Cool and Store
Once baked, transfer the cookies onto a cooling rack to cool slightly. After they’ve cooled enough, pop them into an airtight container right away to keep them soft and fresh. These cookies taste best when enjoyed within a few days but can be stored for longer if needed.
How to Serve Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting presentation, top your cookies with a light dusting of additional matcha powder or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also add a few toasted sesame seeds on top before baking to introduce a subtle crunch and nutty depth that pairs wonderfully with matcha.
Side Dishes
These vegan matcha cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of plant-based milk or your favorite tea. Jasmine or chamomile tea complements the matcha flavor especially well, creating a soothing and refined snack or dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh fruit slices and small bowls of vegan whipped cream or coconut yogurt for dipping. For parties, sandwich two cookies with a thin layer of vegan white chocolate ganache or vegan cream cheese frosting for a decadent twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. Storing them this way helps maintain their soft texture and keeps them from drying out. If you want a little extra freshness, add a slice of bread in the container — it helps keep the cookies moist.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze baked cookies for longer storage. Wrap dough balls individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When ready to bake, no need to thaw — just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too; store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To revive a soft texture in chilled or frozen cookies, warm them gently in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This melts the vegan butter slightly and brings back that freshly baked softness.
FAQs
Can I use regular eggs instead of flax eggs?
Absolutely! If you are not vegan, one regular egg can replace the flax egg. However, the flax egg is what keeps these cookies vegan while still providing the right texture, so the flavor and texture may be slightly different with a traditional egg.
What kind of matcha powder should I use?
Use culinary-grade matcha powder, which is perfect for baking and has a robust flavor without being overly delicate or grassy. Ceremonial-grade is best saved for drinking.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not as written—they call for all-purpose flour. But you can experiment using a gluten-free flour blend, making sure it has a xanthan gum substitute if needed, to make these cookies gluten-free and still delicious.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your vegan butter is only slightly softened, not melted, and chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips?
Definitely! Vegan white or dark chocolate chips pair wonderfully with matcha. Fold them into the dough after mixing the dry and wet ingredients for a fun twist on the classic Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you fall in love with this Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe as much as I have. It’s such a charming way to introduce matcha into your baking with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, delivering soft, flavorful cookies with a fun pop of color. Whether you’re gifting them, enjoying with tea, or just indulging yourself, they’re bound to become a favorite in your kitchen too. Happy baking!
Print
Vegan Matcha Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delightfully soft and flavorful Vegan Matcha Cookies with a subtle green tea aroma and a perfect balance of sweetness. These cookies are made with vegan butter and flax egg, making them a wholesome treat suitable for plant-based diets.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan butter, slightly softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 tablespoons matcha powder
- 1 small pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Flax Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat non-stick mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on low speed to cream together the slightly softened vegan butter and granulated sugar until well combined and fluffy.
- Add Flax Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the prepared flax egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, continuing to mix on low speed until evenly combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, matcha powder, and salt until well-blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated and a dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough gently into 1.5-inch balls. Place them at least a couple of inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading. Bake one or two batches as needed.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 11 to 12 minutes for soft centers and slightly undercooked middles. Adjust time based on your preference for doneness.
- Cool and Store: Transfer baked cookies to a cooling rack to cool slightly. Once cooled enough, move them to an airtight container to maintain their softness.
Notes
- Use vegan butter slightly softened to ensure it creams well with sugar.
- The flax egg acts as an egg substitute, providing binding and moisture.
- Baking time may vary depending on oven performance and personal preference; keep an eye to avoid overbaking.
- Cookies spread while baking, so space dough balls adequately.
- Store cookies in an airtight container once cooled to keep them soft and fresh.
