Matcha Green Tea Cookies

Instructions

1. Prepare the dry ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, matcha powder, salt, and baking soda until well combined and no green clumps remain. The mixture should be a uniform light green color.
2. Cream butter and sugar
   In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add wet ingredients
   Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute. The mixture should be creamy and well-combined.
4. Combine dry and wet ingredients
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. If using white chocolate chips, fold them in gently with a spatula.
5. Shape the cookies
   Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then, roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If using, sprinkle a few black sesame seeds on top of each cookie for garnish.
6. Bake the cookies
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will not brown much due to the green tea color.
7. Cool and store
   Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.