These hojicha cookies are infused with the comforting flavour of roasted Japanese green tea and creamy white chocolate. They are a unique spin on a classic chocolate chip cookie.
Hojicha Cookies with White Chocolate
Hojicha cookies are made with hojicha powder which is a roasted Japanese green tea known for its nutty and toasty flavour. At first glance, they might look like double chocolate cookies thanks to their rich brown colour, but that hue comes entirely from the roasted tea.
Each bite reveals a soft, brownie-like texture, cozy roasted notes and caramel undertones. Paired with white chocolate chips, these hojicha cookies strike the perfect balance of earthy and sweet.
Whether you’re a long-time hojicha fan or discovering it for the first time, these cookies are a delicious and easy way to bring tea into your baking routine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique tea flavour: A roasted tea taste that stands out from your usual cookie recipes.
- Soft brownie-like texture: Crisp on the edges and perfectly chewy.
- Well-balanced: The white chocolate chips melt into creamy pockets that complement the hojicha beautifully.
- Tea time treat: Delicious alongside a cup of hojicha or other teas like genmaicha, chai, matcha and more.
- Low caffeine: Thanks to hojicha’s gentle roast, these tea infused cookies are low in caffeine so they can still be enjoyed in the evening.
Ingredient Notes
Here is a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need for these green tea infused cookies.
- Hojicha Powder: Use powdered hojicha (not loose leaf) for the best flavour and even distribution.
- Dry Ingredients: Flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and granulated sugar
- Wet Ingredients: Butter, eggs and vanilla extract
- White Chocolate Chips: You can also use chopped white chocolate bars for larger, melty pockets, if desired.
Hojicha Cookies Recipe
Ingredient measurements and full directions are in the printable recipe card below.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt and hojicha powder.
Cream butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat butter with brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla: Mix until smooth and well combined.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl, stirring until just combined then fold in white chocolate chips or chunks.
Scoop and bake: Measure 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and drop onto your lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Bake the hojicha cookies in preheated oven for 8-11 minutes or until the edges are crisp.
This recipe makes about 16-18 cookies, depending on the size. It is recommended to bake 1 sheet of cookies at a time.
Cool: After removing from oven, let cookies cool for 10 minutes before enjoying.
Tips for Perfect Hojicha Cookies
- Use hojicha powder only: Do not use loose leaf hojicha or hojicha tea bags. You will not get the same results.
- For flatter cookies: Press the ball of cookie dough on the baking sheet before baking.
- Do not overbake: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on the cookies when they are baking as they will be too dry if overdone.
- Let them rest: Cool the cookies on the baking sheet before transferring to help them finish setting.
Storage
These cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be refrigerated if you need to keep them for a few days longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hojicha taste like?
Hojicha has a warm, roasted flavour with hints of caramel, cocoa, and toasted nuts. It is less bitter than other green teas.
Where can I buy hojicha powder?
You can find hojicha powder online, check out my recommendations here.
Do these cookies contain caffeine?
Yes, but just a small amount! Hojicha is low in caffeine because it’s made from roasted green tea leaves, making these cookies a lovely evening treat.
Can I use matcha instead of hojicha powder?
Yes, you can try this recipe with matcha instead. However, please keep in mind the flavour and colour will not be the same as matcha and hojicha powder are different. Matcha cookies are more vegetal and vibrant green, while hojicha cookies are roasted and brown. They both are equally delicious with white chocolate though!
More Tea-Infused Desserts You’ll Love
Hojicha Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons hojicha powder
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt and hojicha powder.
- In a separate large bowl, beat butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl, stirring until just combined then fold in white chocolate chips or chunks.
- Measure 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and drop onto your lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Bake the hojicha cookies in preheated oven for 8-11 minutes or until the edges are crisp. This recipe makes about 16-18 cookies, depending on the size. It is recommended to bake 1 sheet of cookies at a time.
- After removing from oven, let cookies cool for 10 minutes before enjoying.
This was a fun way to use some of my hojicha powder. The cookies was so soft and tasty. I plan to add this recipe to my holiday baking list!