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Matcha Brownies Recipe

If you’ve never had a matcha brownie before, they’re quite possibly one of your favorite treats on this list.

They’re rich and fudgy, with just enough bitterness that makes them different than other chocolate desserts.

What Is In A Traditional Matcha Brownie Recipe?

Traditional matcha brownie recipes start by mixing together a few simple ingredients: butter, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and matcha (or any powdered form of green tea).

The mixture then gets poured into a pan or baking dish and baked until it reaches the desired texture.

The end result is something very similar to a typical dark chocolate brownie—only with an added twist of bitterness from the matcha.

It’s not too strong, though, so if you’re sensitive to bitter flavors, there’s no need to worry about getting sick after eating these.

Here’s what else goes into making a classic matcha brownie recipe:

  • Butter
  • Cocoa powder
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Matcha or green tea powder
  • Baking powder
  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Milk

Benefits of matcha and brownies

While some people may be wary of adding more caffeine to their diets due to health concerns, others believe that consuming matcha can help boost energy levels while giving you better focus during stressful times.

So why not combine those benefits when making a traditional matcha brownie recipe for dessert?

It also helps to add the antioxidant power of vitamin C to the mix.

According to NutritionData.com, one cup of matcha contains 60% vitamin C compared to only 20% in an orange.

This means that even just 1/4 teaspoon of matcha will give you nearly half of your daily recommended dose of vitamin C!

Matcha Brownies Recipe

How Do You Make Matcha Brownies?

To make these brownies, all you need to know is how to prepare matcha powder.

The process for making matcha isn’t difficult but it does require some special equipment.

You can buy an electric grinder or purchase a hand-crank type device to grind up the leaves yourself.

If you don’t have either of those options at home, there’s also a wide variety of matcha powders available online.

Matcha has been around since the 7th century B.C.E., so it’s no surprise that it’s become such a common addition to foods across the globe.

It’s often used as a flavoring agent because its bitter taste provides a unique contrast against sweeter ingredients like sugar.

Matcha can be found in everything from coffee drinks to smoothies.

And now, you can find it in baked goods too!

What Are The Benefits Of Matcha?

Matcha is an intensely flavorful powdered form of Japanese-grown green tea leaves called “cha.”

It’s made by steaming or roasting fresh tea leaves at high temperatures for several minutes until their chlorophyll content (which gives tea its color) is destroyed while retaining most of their antioxidants.

The result is a powdery substance which can be brewed into hot water and consumed as a beverage like coffee.

Tea has been around far longer than chocolate, but it wasn’t until recently that people began drinking it regularly.

In fact, it was only during the last 100 years that Americans started consuming more than 1 cup per day—and that number continues to grow today thanks to our love affair with everything health conscious.

Matcha contains many beneficial compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, catechins, caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

The best part about matcha is that it doesn’t require any processing whatsoever.

You don’t need to add cream or sugar to give it extra sweetness because it already tastes sweet.

Because of its relatively low acidity level, you won’t have to worry about overdoing it when pairing it with other foods.

In addition to being healthy, matcha also offers some unique culinary advantages.

For example, matcha works well with dairy products so if you want to avoid lactose intolerance, matcha might be the answer.

Also, unlike ordinary black teas, matcha will not stain teeth or tannin stains clothes.

Matcha Brownies Recipe

Why Is Matcha Used In Brownies?

The popularity of matcha has been growing exponentially over the past decade as people become more interested in health, wellness, and longevity.

Matcha is an herb related to the Camellia plant found all around Asia.

It contains high levels of antioxidants called catechins which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Matcha also provides L-theanine, an amino acid that relaxes the nervous system while boosting focus and concentration.

In addition to being healthy, matcha can be enjoyed without any negative side effects.

It doesn’t contain caffeine or alcohol, so it won’t cause jitters like coffee does.

Because of these reasons, many people use matcha daily for its restorative powers.

As such, it’s no wonder why matcha is now becoming increasingly popular in food products.

What Are Some Variations Of Matcha Brownies?

Matcha brownies can be made by adding any type of cocoa powder or even cacao nibs into the mix.

You could also use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for an extra boost of antioxidants.

Matcha brownies are best served chilled but will keep well at room temperature for up to 4 days if stored in airtight containers.

How Do You Know When Matcha Brownies Are Done?

This is a very simple question, but it can be tricky if you don’t have any experience baking or cooking.

The best thing to do in these situations is make sure that your matcha brownies aren’t overbaked.

If you want to get fancy about it, try using an instant-read thermometer.

Just place the probe into the center of the top layer of the brownies, not touching the sides.

When you take the probe out, use a pair of tongs to carefully remove it.

You should see how much the temperature has increased.

A good rule of thumb is that if the probe gets too hot for you to hold comfortably, then the brownies are probably well done.

To test for doneness without using a thermometer, simply touch the surface of the brownies with your finger.

It will feel warm to the touch and should not stick to your skin.

For more information, check out our guide to oven temperatures.

As long as you follow those guidelines, you shouldn’t run into any problems with overcooking your matcha brownies.

Don’t worry if you haven’t used a thermometer yet.

There are plenty of ways to tell when your brownies are done.

A visual cue

The easiest method to determine whether your matcha brownies are ready to come out of the oven is to look at them.

When they begin to turn golden brown around the edges, they’ll be perfect.

Keep in mind that these brownies won’t be perfectly uniform in color, so keep an eye on them throughout the cooking process.

Taste

Once they cool down, taste a piece of each batch and compare them side by side.

Ideally, all three batches should taste similar, although there may be slight differences.

That’s normal, since every batch of brownies requires its own unique set of ingredients and techniques.

Some recipes call for dark cocoa powder instead of regular milk chocolate chips while others might include walnuts or coconut flakes.

In general, though, you should find that all three versions are tasty.

Feel

You should also give each version of the brownies a firm squeeze.

As mentioned above, the texture of the brownies should be fudgier inside than outside.

However, there should be no crunchiness whatsoever.

If you press hard, you should be able to feel the difference between crunchy and soft brownies.

Matcha Brownies Recipe

Can You Freeze Matcha Brownies?

We don’t recommend freezing matcha brownies because it can cause some discoloration in the frosting.

To avoid this issue, we suggest making these as soon as possible after baking.

If you want to store these for later, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 7 days.

  • Recipe adapted from How Sweet It Is (the original recipe calls for 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder).
  • These brownies have a soft texture even if made with bittersweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
  • The dark chocolate adds more depth of flavor to the dessert.
  • You can use any type of matcha, but our preference is to use Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder (or a similar brand) which has been certified organic by Non-GMO Project Verification.

What Is The Shelf Life Of Matcha Brownies?

Matcha brownies have an impressive shelf life.

The ingredients in this dessert can be stored at room temperature for up to three months.

When it comes time to eat these sweets, simply put them back into their original container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

The only thing to keep in mind when storing these items is that they should not go above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).

If you live somewhere where the weather reaches freezing temperatures during winter, then make sure you take these tips into consideration.

How Do You Store Matcha Brownies?

Matcha brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

If you want to save them longer, it’s best to wrap them in parchment paper or aluminum foil so they don’t dry out too quickly.

  • Store in refrigerator if you plan on eating within 2-3 days.
  • Store in freezer for 3 months.
  • Matcha brownies freeze very well because there isn’t much water content in them.

What Are Some Tips For Making Perfect Matcha Brownies?

Matcha brownies have their own unique taste profile.

The first thing to know about these brownies is that it will take time for the matcha powder to fully infuse into the batter.

You can add more or less matcha depending on how much bitterness you want in the final product.

If you don’t like bitter flavors, start out by adding half as much matcha as stated below.

The second tip for creating the best tasting matcha brownies is timing.

Make sure that after mixing all of the ingredients together, you allow the mixture to cool completely before baking so the matcha doesn’t burn while cooking.

You should also use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate if possible.

Milk chocolate has a higher fat percentage which may affect the texture when baked.

Dark chocolate contains cocoa butter and sugar alcohols (not unlike those found in honey).

This combination helps create a denser, richer bar.

It’s important to note that because of its high sugar content, you might need to reduce the amount of sugar called for in the recipe.

Finally, keep an eye on the edges of the pan during baking – especially near the corners.

Matcha gets hot very quickly, so watch carefully to make sure nothing burns.

If you see any scorch marks, remove immediately!

Matcha Brownies Recipe

Matcha Brownies

These chewy and fudgy green tea matcha brownies are perfect for matcha enthusiasts. It's simple to make and has a lovely vibrant green color.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Matcha Brownies
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 302kcal

Equipment

  • 8 Inch Square Cake Pan (8 x 8)
  • electric hand mixer
  • large bowl
  • Parchment paper
  • spatula
  • whisk or sifter

Ingredients

  • 2 cup all purpose white flour use spoon method
  • 1 cup white sugar granulated
  • 2 tablespoon matcha powder
  • 1 cup salted butter melted melt about 30 seconds in microwave
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven. 350°F
  • Line an 8-inch (8-inch) baking dish with parchment paper. Tips for keeping parchment paper flat can be found in the notes.
  • Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (flour, sugar and matcha powder). Mix with a sifter or whisk until fully combined and matcha powder is evenly distributed.
  • Mix in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix with a hand mixer until completely combined.
  • Mix in the white chocolate chips by hand.
  • Transfer batter to a parchment-lined cake pan with a spatula.
  • Once all of your batter is in the pan, lightly flatten the surface of your matcha brownie batter with a spoon or spatula.
  • Cook for 35-40 minutes at 350°F, or until fully cooked. Allow to cool completely in the baking pan after removing from the oven.
  • Remove the matcha brownies from the baking pan, slice, and serve!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
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