White Chocolate Matcha Brownies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.With moist and chewy middles, my white chocolate matcha brownies are for matcha lovers everywhere! These fudgy green tea-flavored brownies are a twist on the classic blondie. A batch of these disappear quickly, and they are a total crowd-pleaser. I’ve included vegan & gluten-free adaptations too!
Matcha isn’t just for tea and lattes! Its bittersweet and earthy flavor tastes delicious in brownies and baked goods, too. Baking with matcha is one of my favorite ways to use it. It gives baked goods a vibrant green hue and plenty of feel-good, healthy antioxidants (source).
Since my love for brownies runs deep, it only felt right to combine the two and create this matcha brownies recipe. But not just any brownie would do, I wanted a dense, rich brownie with a super fudgy texture – the kind that’s comforting and so addicting. I’m proud to say these matcha white chocolate brownies are just that!
I love putting my own spin on a classic brownie recipe by adding other flavors and unexpected ingredients as I did with these healthy pumpkin brownies, marbled cookie brownies, and beet brownies. Unexpected but absolutely delicious!
🌟 Why I Absolutely Love This Recipe
Matcha fudge brownies are like regular brownies, except the flavor is centered around matcha instead of chocolate. I suppose we could also call these matcha blondies – whatever you prefer!
They are moist and soft, with a perfectly dense, chewy texture that makes each bite melt in my mouth. They have that beautiful crackly top that makes them irresistible! Beneath that delicate crust lies a vibrant green color that adds a fun and unique twist to the classic brownie look. Not only do they look stunning, but the taste is something special too.
So how does the slightly bitter matcha flavor not overpower the brownie? The secret is the white chocolate! Its sweetness balances out the matcha, so the brownies have just a hint of green tea flavor.
And the best part? They’re easy to make! Whether I’m baking them for a special occasion or just satisfying a craving, I love how simple it is to whip up a batch of these white chocolate matcha brownies. The subtle grassy flavor from the matcha blends perfectly with the sweetness of the white chocolate, making each bite a delight.
This matcha brownie recipe can easily be adapted to vegan and gluten-free diets that don’t sacrifice flavor or texture. See my notes below on how to do this! No matter how you make them, I know once you try these, they’ll become an instant favorite!
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🥘 Ingredients
My easy matcha brownies call for simple ingredients found at the local grocery store! Each one contributes to the layers of flavor in this treat.
White Chocolate Chips: When I melt white chocolate chips for these matcha brownies, they add a richness that doesn’t overpower the delicate flavor of matcha. Plus, it lets that beautiful, bright green color really pop. Since white chocolate is made from cocoa butter and sugar without cocoa solids, it gives a smooth sweetness.
Eggs & Baking Powder: Eggs are essential because they provide structure and help bind everything together. A little baking powder gives the brownies just the right amount of rise, creating the perfect texture.
Vanilla Extract & Salt: I always use pure vanilla extract, and with a small pinch of salt, these ingredients enhance the overall flavor. They make all the other elements in the matcha tea brownies shine even more.
All-Purpose Flour: The balance of fat to flour is key in achieving that gooey texture I crave in a brownie. Since I want these brownies rich and indulgent, I only use three-fourths of a cup of flour in this recipe.
Granulated Sugar: White sugar brings the sweetness that perfectly complements the earthy matcha and rich white chocolate in these green brownies. I’ve used coconut sugar, dark brown sugar, or light brown sugar as alternatives. The brownies will have a slightly different texture but still taste great.
Matcha Powder: Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that originated in Japan. It is made from shade-grown green tea leaves, which are carefully ground into a fine powder. The word “matcha” translates to “powdered tea” in Japanese. There are different types of matcha but they can largely be grouped into two categories: ceremonial grade (higher quality, used for making tea) and culinary grade (lower quality, often used in food). I don’t necessarily need ceremonial-grade matcha, but I always choose a high-quality culinary-grade matcha. The better the matcha, the brighter the green color and the smoother the flavor. Low-quality matcha tends to be dull and bitter.
Butter: Butter adds richness to the brownies. I use salted and unsalted butter in this recipe. If I do use salted butter, I’ll just omit the additional salt from this recipe. Equal parts of melted coconut oil is also a good alternative.
👩🏽🍳 How To Make Matcha Brownies
Learn how to make my fudgy matcha brownies! I’ve created a summary of instructions below, but see the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete recipe with ingredients and instructions.
Preheat Oven: I start by preheating my oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and lining an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Melt Butter & Chocolate: Next, I melt the butter and white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating them in 30-second increments until everything is fully melted. I give the mixture a good stir until it’s nice and smooth.
Add Eggs: Once the chocolate and butter are melted, I whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract. It’s a simple process that doesn’t require an electric mixer, but if I’m feeling fancy, I sometimes use one.
Combine Dry Ingredients: After that comes together, I grab a separate bowl and combine the flour, sugar, matcha, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients: Now it’s time to bring everything together. I carefully fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture using a spatula until it forms a thick, wet batter.
Transfer To Pan: Once combined, I scoop the matcha brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure it bakes evenly.
Bake: I bake the brownies for about 25 to 30 minutes, checking with a toothpick to make sure they’re cooked through. When the toothpick comes out clean from the center, I know they’re ready.
Slice & Eat: After carefully removing the pan from the oven, I let the brownies cool before slicing them.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making matcha white chocolate brownies is to always sift the matcha powder before adding it to the dry ingredients.
Matcha tends to form small clumps, especially if it’s been exposed to humidity, and these clumps don’t easily break down when mixed into the batter. If I skip sifting, I run the risk of having concentrated pockets of matcha in the brownies, which can lead to a bitter taste in some bites and an uneven green color.
By taking a minute to sift the matcha, I ensure it blends evenly with the flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients. This not only creates a smoother batter but also helps achieve that vibrant, uniform green hue that makes these brownies stand out. Plus, it guarantees that each bite has the perfect balance of the earthy matcha flavor with the sweetness of the white chocolate.
It’s a simple extra step, but it has a noticeable impact on both the appearance and taste of the brownies, making them look professional and taste even better!
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Cool Before Cutting: I always let the brownies cool in the pan before slicing. There’s no need for a cooling rack this time because it’s tough to cut warm brownies neatly. If I chill them in the fridge overnight and use a sharp knife, they become super easy to slice!
- Use High-Quality Matcha: I make sure to use the best matcha powder I can find. Ceremonial grade tends to have a smoother, better taste in sweet treats compared to culinary grade.
- Avoid Over-Baking: I know this might seem obvious, but I’m always careful not to overbake the brownies. I check them a couple of minutes before the suggested baking time and pull them out as soon as a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If they bake too long, they’ll turn dry and cakey. Plus, they’ll continue to cook a bit in the pan after coming out of the oven.
- Let the White Chocolate Cool: I always make sure the white chocolate mixture is at room temperature before adding the eggs. Otherwise, the heat from the melted chocolate may cook the eggs.
- Sprinkle for Presentation: For a beautiful finish, I like to sprinkle powdered sugar or matcha powder over the tops of the brownies before serving.
- Add White Chocolate Chunks: If I want some extra texture, I’ll add half a cup of white chocolate chunks to the batter before baking.
- Keep Parchment Paper in Place: To help the parchment paper stick to the pan, I grease the pan with a little oil before placing the paper. This helps it lay flat and stay in place while baking.
📖 Variations
If you like to change things up a bit, try one of these delicious variations.
Matcha Chocolate Brownies: I love switching things up by making these matcha brownies without white chocolate. Instead, I swap it out for dark chocolate chips and replace two tablespoons of flour with two tablespoons of cocoa powder. This simple adjustment gives me rich brownies more closer to the traditional version!
Brown Butter Matcha Brownies: To add a deeper, nuttier flavor, I sometimes make these green tea brownies with brown butter instead of regular butter. I just brown the butter in a small saucepan, let it cool slightly, and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients. From there, I follow the recipe as usual.
Cheesecake Brownies: When I want something extra indulgent, I beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup of sugar, one egg, and a teaspoon of vanilla. I scoop half of the matcha brownie batter into the tray, swirl in the cheesecake mixture, top with the remaining batter, and bake. The result is a deliciously creamy matcha cheesecake brownie.
Healthier Matcha Brownies: These matcha tea flavor brownies only have about 200 calories but still lean more on the typical dessert side. To make these brownies healthier, I swap the butter for coconut oil or a half applesauce half butter mix, use whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose flour, and replace the sugar with coconut sugar. If I want to reduce the sugar even more, I cut it down by 1/3 to 1/2 for a lower-calorie, lower-sugar version.
Vegan Matcha Brownies: When I need to make these brownies vegan, I use vegan butter and vegan white chocolate, and I substitute the eggs with ¾ cup of applesauce. It’s an easy way to keep the brownies rich and flavorful while making them vegan-friendly.
Gluten Free Matcha Brownies: For gluten-free matcha brownies, I simply swap the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. My go-to is Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 All-Purpose Flour because it has a gluten-like taste and texture that works perfectly in brownies.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
My matcha brownie recipe would be beautiful on a dessert table with other tasty treats or enjoyed with a warm cup of something cozy. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve these unique brownies!
Other Desserts: For a stunning dessert table, I’d serve these alongside my flourless gluten-free brownies, matcha muffins, and red velvet cake mix cookies. Or, with a scoop of creamy vegan matcha ice cream!
Hot Drinks: We enjoy a warm brownie with a cup of oat milk hot chocolate or a mocha latte.
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Refrigeration: Once my matcha brownies have cooled completely, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If I want them to stay fresh for a longer period, I’ll move them to the fridge. In the fridge, they remain delicious for up to a week.
Freezing: For even longer storage, I freeze my brownies. I wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy them again, I just let them thaw at room temperature.
Reheating: To enjoy a warm brownie, I reheat these in the microwave in 10-second increments, or I let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven at 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
❓ Recipe FAQs
I recommend baking with organic ceremonial-grade matcha for its beautiful green color and superior taste. However, any kind of good quality matcha powder will taste great! Even though ceremonial grade is made for tea, it has a more delicate and less bitter flavor than culinary grade matcha, so I find the extra cost of ceremonial grade matcha worth the price. It is also great to check the brand’s testing policies and ensure the matcha is third party tested for heavy metals.
The best matcha powder substitute I’ve found is green tea powder. It will provide a similar earthy flavor, but won’t have the same vibrant green color. Alternatively, dehydrated spinach powder is an option, which won’t provide much flavor but will have that bright green color that matcha has!
Dry brownies are usually the result of over-mixing, over-baking, or not using enough moisture or fat in your brownie mix. I recommend measuring ingredients precisely, and not skipping out on the butter and eggs (or their vegan counterparts).
Over-baking: Brownies should be baked until they are just set in the center. If they are baked for too long, they can become dry and crumbly.
Lack of fat or moisture: Fat is important in keeping brownies moist. If your recipe calls for butter or oil and you either used too little or substituted with a lower-fat option, it can result in dry brownies. Similarly, if you didn’t add enough moist ingredients like eggs or liquid, it can contribute to dryness.
Over-mixing: When mixing the batter, it’s important to avoid over-mixing. Over-mixing can develop too much gluten in the flour, resulting in a denser and drier texture. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined, and no dry flour pockets remain.
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📋 Recipe Card
🎥 Watch How to Make It
White Chocolate Matcha Brownies (Chewy & Moist!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 4 oz white chocolate chips
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 tbsp matcha powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320 degrees F / 160 C. Line a square 8”x8” baking tin with parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl melt the butter and chocolate chips in 30-second bursts until melted and smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl whisk all remaining ingredients.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until well combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and cook for 25-30 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out with a few crumbs stuck to it.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into 12 pieces.
Notes
- To make these brownies vegan-friendly use vegan butter, vegan white chocolate and substitute the eggs with ¾ cup apple sauce.
- Substitute the flour for gluten-free flour and ensure the baking powder is also gluten-free to make these brownies gluten-free.
- Optional: Lightly sprinkle the top of the brownies with matcha powder or powdered sugar
- ½ cup white chocolate chunks can be added to the batter before cooking if desired.
- Cool completely before cutting.
- For a low sugar option, cut the amount of sugar by half (then each brownie will have only 9 grams of sugar and under 200 calories).
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Oh wow! So yummy, and the color was awesome!!
Thanks!! 🙂
The colour is so epic! I loved it. What a delicious flavour too.
Yes!! Thanks Sisley!
These were so different and totally delicious! Love the fact that they were made in one bowl too.
Aw thanks Amanda!! Yeah the one-bowl makes for such easy cleanup!
Matcha gives these brownies such a great colour and flavor!
I know right?? They’re so fun to eat!
This was such a great way to use matcha and these brownies were amazing.
Thanks so much Dannii! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I loved this recipe! Just a handful of ingredients, and the matcha gave them a beautiful green colour. The flavour of it was there, but not overpowering, which we loved! Thanks!
Thanks so much Ieva! That’s so great to hear! 🙂
very unique flavor and pleasantly surprised def will make these again!
Thanks so much Claudia! So glad you liked them! 🙂
I love matcha, so I made these brownies last night and they were AMAZING! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Woohoo!! That’s awesome to hear Tayler!
These were so fun and unique to make! We really enjoyed them. Thank you! 🙂
Aw yay!! Thanks for letting me know Kris! 🙂
I love the flavour combination of white chocolate and matcha in these! Such a fun treat!
Thanks so much Janessa! So glad you liked these!