Homemade Matcha Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

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While snickerdoodles are a holiday classic, these matcha snickerdoodle cookies are going to become an all-around family favorite. These amazing cookies combine the flavors of matcha green tea, cinnamon, and vanilla. With a cookie this good, there is no way you can only make it around the holidays.

stack of cookies on white table in front of bottle of milk

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Matcha Snickerdoodle Cookies
Why is it Called a Snickerdoodle?
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
What are the Benefits of Matcha in Cooking?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Matcha Snickerdoodles
More Easy Cookie Recipes
📖 Recipe

Matcha Snickerdoodle Cookies

If you've been looking for something unique to add to your cookie rotation, this is the one for you. I love the matcha flavor, and it really works well with the simple sugary cookie. Adding in cinnamon and sugar just makes sense!

Cookies are "life" in our house, and whether it is a simple strawberry cake mix cookie or copycat Subway white chocolate cranberry cookie, I have a ton of experience making them and am always excited to share new creations!

cookies topped with sugar laying on white table

Why is it Called a Snickerdoodle?

The origin of the word snickerdoodle is actually unknown. It was first used in Kentucky in 1877, but no one knows where it came from. There are many different theories behind how this delicious cookie got its name, though. Some say that it's because the dough is so soft and requires a lot of kneading.

Others believe it's because the dough should be rolled in cinnamon and sugar, so it makes a snick-knack sound as you roll it. Regardless of how this cookie got its name, one thing is for sure: It’s been a holiday favorite for years!

stack of snickerdoodles on table with one half eaten in front

What Does Matcha Taste Like?

Matcha is a fine powder that comes from green tea leaves. The process of making matcha involves taking this special kind of green tea and steaming it, which allows the leaves to stay whole instead of rolling them like regular teas. From there, they are de-stemmed and then dried out into a fine powder.

In addition to being beneficial for your health, matcha also has a very distinctive flavor. It is naturally sweet and slightly bitter with grassy undertones.

short stack of cookies on table by glass bottle of milk

What are the Benefits of Matcha in Cooking?

Matcha is a powerhouse of nutrition, packing in over three times the amount of antioxidants found in regular green tea. This helps to fight free radicals that can cause damage throughout our bodies.

Matcha is not just beneficial for you health, but it also has amazing nutritious properties to offer when cooking. It can provide a healthy boost to recipes without adding calories or carbs. In addition, matcha contains amino acids called theanine and L-theanine which help to increase focus and concentration. This means that you’ll be able to focus on your work or activities much more easily.

cookies topped with cinnamon sugar on table

Ingredients

Unsalted butter
Eggs
Granulated sugar
Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Cream of tartar
Baking soda
Salt
Matcha
Cinnamon

white plate of butter in center of white table surrounded y glass bowls of flour and sugar

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Matcha Snickerdoodles

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. If using a hand mixer this should take about 4 minutes.

teal hand mixer in glass bowl of butter and sugar

Add the eggs and vanilla bean paste to the mixture and beat until incorporated.

hand mixer in glass bowl of dough with egg on top

Into the mixture, sift the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and matcha.

sieve of flour and matcha powder above bowl

Beat until just combined and the dough has formed.

In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating.

Scoop out and if using a spoon instead of the scoop, roll the dough into balls, then roll into the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.

cookie scoop next to bowl of cookie dough

Place the balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet around 2 inches apart.

Once all cookies are on the baking sheet, use the bottom of a clean glass to press down on each ball slightly to flatten them.

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until just turning golden on the bottom and set on top.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops with additional cinnamon sugar while still hot.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10-minutes before moving to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.

baked cookies on parchment paper on wire rack

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

matcha snickerdoodles displayed on white table

What is the Difference Between a Snickerdoodle and a Sugar Cookie?

While both snickerdoodle and sugar cookies are delicious, they do have subtle differences. The main difference between a sugar cookie is that it uses granulated sugar as part of the recipe.

A snickerdoodle will use cream of tartar in addition to baking soda for extra flavor. Cream of tarter gives the cookie its distinctive crackly top as it bakes.

Additionally, a sugar cookie is rolled out and cut into fun shapes for the holidays. Snickerdoodles are formed by rolling the dough into balls and then rolling them in cinnamon and sugar before they go into the oven.

What Does Cream of Tartar Do In Snickerdoodles?

Using cream of tartar is the key to getting the signature snickerdoodle taste. Cream of tartar not only gives snickerdoodles their flavor but also helps them get that characteristic crackly top when baking.

Cream of tartar is a common baking ingredient that often gets overlooked. While it may seem strange, this ingredient actually serves a very important purpose in your favorite holiday cookies! Cream of tartar works as an acidic agent to help the cookie dough rise. In addition to being used in snickerdoodles, you can also find the cream of tartar in other recipes, including cakes, frostings, meringue, and even some jam.

How Long are Matcha Snickerdoodles Good For?

Matcha snickerdoodles should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be kept for up to 1 week, but are best when fresh.

stack of matcha snickerdoodle cookies on white table in front of white tile

Cookies are always a hit in our house. Whether they are stacked in a cookie jar on the counter or out of the package from the grocery store, a cookie has always been a special treat for me. Below are some more of my favorite recipes that are sure to become favorites for your family. Make sure that you bookmark, pin, or print these recipes to make soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 24

Homemade Matcha Snickerdoodle Cookies

Homemade matcha snickerdoodle cookies are next level! A delicious combination of the classic cinnamon sugar you love with matcha for a fusion you will love!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients for cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon matcha powder

For Cinnamon Sugar Topping

1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. If using a hand mixer this should take about 4 minutes.
Add the eggs and vanilla bean paste to the mixture and beat until incorporated.
Into the mixture, sift the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and matcha.
Beat until just combined and the dough has formed.
In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating.
Scoop out and if using a spoon instead of the scoop, roll the dough into balls, then roll into the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
Place the balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet around 2 inches apart.
Once all cookies are on the baking sheet, use the bottom of a clean glass to press down on each ball slightly to flatten them.
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until just turning golden on the bottom and set on top.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops with additional cinnamon sugar while still hot.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10-minutes before moving to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

Make the dough in advance and scoop into balls then flash freeze for 1 hour. Place into an airtight container or freezer storage bag for up to 3 months.

To bake from frozen, let stand at room temperature for 30-minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar and follow directions as listed above.