Neapolitan Matcha Cookies

The colors pop so bright. Chocolate, vanilla, and matcha all in one bite. It’s soft, sweet, and a little earthy too.

I baked these on a rainy afternoon. And, oh, the smell filled my whole kitchen. My friends couldn’t stop reaching for them.

You’ll love how fun and easy they are. Each cookie feels special and pretty. Let’s bake them together step by step.

Why You’ll Love These Neapolitan Matcha Cookies

• Unique Flavor Combination: The mix of matcha, cocoa, and vanilla in each bite is the perfect blend of bitterness, richness, and sweetness.
• Eye-Catching Colors: The three layers of dough in shades of green, brown, and white will make your cookies look as good as they taste.
• Easy to Make: Despite their elegant appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to put together.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual coffee break, a birthday celebration, or a holiday gathering, these cookies are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Impress Your Guests: The Neapolitan flavor profile and colorful presentation make them ideal for impressing friends and family.

Required Kitchen Tools

Here’s what you’ll need to make Neapolitan Matcha Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: For combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: To cream the butter and sugar and mix the dough easily.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure your cookies turn out just right.
• Baking Sheets: To bake the cookies on.
• Parchment Paper: For easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.
• Ice Cream Scoop or Cookie Scoop: To form even-sized dough balls for uniform baking.
• Wire Rack: To cool your cookies once they’re baked.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect Neapolitan Matcha Cookies (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• All-purpose flour: 360 g (approximately 3 cups minus 1 tbsp.)
• Baking soda: ½ tsp.
• Cream of tartar: ½ tsp.
• Salt: ¼ tsp.
• Unsalted butter: 226 g, softened and cubed (1 cup)
• Granulated sugar: 300 g (1½ cups) + 4 tbsp. for rolling
• Egg: 1 medium-sized
• Egg yolk: 1
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp.
• Matcha powder: 1½ tsp. (high-quality matcha for the best flavor)
• Cocoa powder: 2 tbsp. (unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed for rich flavor)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough, allowing for a smooth, uniform texture in your cookies.

2. Cream Wet Ingredients

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Once the butter and sugar are creamed together, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.

3. Divide the Dough for Neapolitan Layers

Once the wet ingredients are fully incorporated, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. At this point, divide the dough into three equal portions in separate bowls.

4. Add Flavor to Each Dough Portion

• For the matcha layer: To one portion of dough, add the matcha powder. Mix well until the dough is a vibrant green color.
• For the chocolate layer: To another portion, add the unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix until the dough turns a rich chocolate brown.
• For the plain vanilla layer: Leave the third portion as is for a vanilla-flavored base.

5. Chill the Dough

Chill each portion of dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to help the flavors meld together and to make the dough easier to work with. Chilling also helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

6. Form the Dough Balls

Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to shape your cookies. Roll each portion of dough into small 1.5-inch balls, and then roll each ball in granulated sugar (about 4 tbsp.) to give them a sugary crust. Once each dough ball is coated in sugar, gently flatten the dough balls into discs using the palms of your hands.

7. Assemble the Neapolitan Cookies

To create the signature “Neapolitan” layers, you will need to stack a portion of each color of dough on top of each other. For each cookie, take a small piece of each dough (matcha, chocolate, and vanilla) and press them together gently to form a stacked dough ball. Once the dough balls are assembled, roll them into a smooth ball and then flatten into discs again.

8. Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the dough discs on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow space for spreading during baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden and the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool, so don’t over-bake them.

9. Cool the Cookies

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they hold their shape and don’t crumble.

How to Serve Neapolitan Matcha Cookies

These Neapolitan Matcha Cookies are perfect for any occasion and can be served in a variety of ways:

• With a Cup of Tea: These cookies pair wonderfully with green tea, black tea, or even a latte. The subtle bitterness of the matcha complements the sweetness of the cookie.
• For Dessert: Serve them as part of a dessert platter at parties, holiday gatherings, or potlucks.
• As a Sweet Snack: Enjoy them as a mid-afternoon treat or after dinner with a cup of milk or coffee.
• Gift Them: Pack these cookies into a decorative jar and give them as a gift to friends or loved ones.

Storing Neapolitan Matcha Cookies

• Room Temperature: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The cookies will stay soft and delicious.
• Freezing: If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature.

Nutrition Information (per cookie)

Nutrient	Amount per Cookie
Calories	150
Total Fat	7g
Saturated Fat	4g
Cholesterol	20mg
Sodium	35mg
Total Carbohydrates	22g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	14g
Protein	1g

Conclusion

These Neapolitan Matcha Cookies are the perfect blend of rich flavors and vibrant colors. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies will certainly make a lasting impression. With their earthy matcha flavor, sweet vanilla base, and decadent chocolate center, they’re a fun and delicious take on the classic Neapolitan combination.

The best part? They’re easy to make, and the unique color combination makes them so much fun to serve. So, next time you’re in the mood for a colorful treat, give these cookies a try—you won’t regret it!