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    Home » Recipes » Brownies and Bars

    Matcha Brownies Recipe (Chewy Fudgy Chocolatey)

    by Jolina | Published: May 13, 2021 | Last Updated: March 3, 2022 | 13 Comments
    This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Pin for Matcha Brownies Recipe - Fudgy and Chocolatey.
    Pin for Easy Delicious Matcha Brownies Recipe.
    Pin for Easy Delicious Matcha Brownies Recipe.

    Matcha brownies are your favourite chocolate brownies complemented by the delicious, earthy taste of matcha. They’re chewy, fudgy and chocolatey, just the way you like them! They’re so easy to make too.

    (Do you like putting matcha powder in everything? Try these matcha chocolate chip cookies. They’re so easy to make and are the perfect sweet treats. If matcha and cream cheese is your thing, you’ll love this rich and creamy matcha cheesecake.)

    Freshly baked matcha brownies.
    Matcha Brownies
    Jump To hide
    What is matcha and what is it made from
    What do matcha brownies taste like
    What you’ll need
    Recipe with step-by-step photos
    Baking tips and recipe FAQs
    Other matcha recipes
    Other fudgy brownie recipes
    Matcha Brownies Recipe (Chewy Fudgy Chocolatey)

    I love brownies and I love matcha so it was only a matter of time before these matcha brownies happened. And they’re all I imagined them to be. 

    Fudgy chocolatey brownie. Earthy full bodied matcha. So good together!

    Fellow matcha lovers, these are for you. Let’s get baking.

    What is matcha and what is it made from

    Matcha powder in a bowl.

    Matcha literally means “powdered tea.” Specially grown and processed green tea leaves are finely ground until they turn to the vibrant green powder we all know and love.

    If you’re wondering what matcha tastes like, it really depends on the kind and the quality of the matcha powder you have.

    According to matcha.com — “premium matcha tea can have a sweet, grassy (or earthy) flavour. People often describe it with some type of vegetal taste, mixed with an umami, or savoury effect on the palate”. 

    Good quality matcha doesn’t require any added sweetener. Lower grade matcha powders have a slightly bitter aftertaste and needs sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

    Matcha is also known for its many health benefits. Check this out.

    What do matcha brownies taste like

    Green tea brownies on a plate.

    Matcha is a surprisingly delicious complement to the sweet chocolate brownie. 

    It cuts through all that sweetness and lends a slight bitterness and lots of umami. It’s what makes you want a second brownie slice.  

    And it’s definitely one of the most unique brownies you’ll ever make and taste!

    What you’ll need

    Making matcha brownies is easy. You have the cocoa batter and the matcha cheesecake batter. 

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for these matcha cheesecake brownies are simple and easy to find.

    For the matcha cream cheese, you’ll need:

    • Cream cheese – those available in blocks and not tubs; ideally full-fat
    • Granulated sugar
    • Matcha powder – more info on the kind of matcha powder to buy below
    • Vanilla extract 
    • Egg

    And for the chocolate brownies:

    • Dutch processed, unsweetened cocoa powder (I use this brand)
    • Baking soda
    • Unsalted butter
    • Espresso or strong coffee
    • Granulated sugar
    • Brown sugar
    • Vanilla extract
    • Salt
    • Eggs
    • All purpose flour

    Tools

    You don’t need special tools when making brownies, although I use my electric mixer to beat the matcha cream cheese mixture.

    Other than that, all you’ll need are:

    • Mixing bowls
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Whisks and spatulas
    • 9×13 inch baking pan

    Recipe with step-by-step photos

    First, preheat your oven to 350F, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, then line with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side. Set aside.

    Matcha mixture

    1 BEAT. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.

    Cream cheese with sugar.
    Smooth and creamy cream cheese

    2 MATCHA. Add matcha powder. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste. You’ll want this mixture stronger than how you normally like your matcha tea so that the green tea flavour shines through. I usually add 2 tablespoons (or equivalent to 6 teaspoons). 

    Cream cheese with matcha powder
    Matcha powder with cream cheese

    3 EGG. Once you’re happy with your matcha mixture, add egg and vanilla extract and continue beating until incorporated. Set this aside while you work on your chocolate brownie batter.

    Matcha cream cheese mixture with egg
    Matcha cream cheese mixture

    Brownie batter

    1 WHISK. In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder and baking soda until combined. 

    Cocoa powder mixture
    Cocoa powder mixture

    2 MELTED BUTTER. Add melted unsalted butter and whisk until smooth.

    Cocoa power and melted butter
    Chocolate brownie batter

    3 COFFEE. Add espresso or strong coffee and continue whisking until batter is creamy and thick. At this point, it would seem like the coffee doesn’t want to incorporate into the batter. Just keep whisking, it will come together.

    Cocoa mixture with espresso
    Chewy fudgy brownie batter

    4 CONTINUE WHISKING. Add the rest of your ingredients (except the flour) and whisk until fully incorporated. 

    Brownie batter
    Cocoa and espresso mixture

    5 FLOUR. Add all purpose flour and gently fold until just combined. Do not over mix.

    Cocoa mixture with flour
    Brownie batter in a bowl

    Put them together

    Now that you have your two mixtures ready, it’s time to assemble.

    1 FIRST LAYER. Transfer your brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.

    Brownie batter in baking pan.

    2 SECOND LAYER. Top with your matcha powder cream cheese batter and try to spread around.

    Matcha cream cheese on top of brownie batter.

    3 SWIRL. Gently run a knife through the batter to create swirls and help further even out the cream cheese throughout the pan.

    Matcha brownies ready for the oven.

    4 TAP. Gently tap the pan on your counter a few times to help the batter settle in.

    5 BAKE. Bake the brownies for 30-45 minutes or until it’s starting to brown at the edges but the centre still feels a little jiggly. You want a toothpick inserted in the middle to come out with minimal but slightly moist crumbs.

    6 COOL. Take out of the oven and allow to cool on the counter. Then chill 2-3 hours (or overnight) until the brownies are set. You can serve the brownies chilled or at room temperature.

    Baking tips and recipe FAQs

    Slice of matcha brownie on a plate.
    How to bake with matcha


    It’s very easy to bake with matcha and incorporate it into your recipes. 

    I personally just either add and sift the powder directly into my dry ingredients. Or dissolve it in milk and add that mixture to my wet ingredients. 

    What’s important is you use a matcha powder you like and adjust the matcha flavour according to how strong you want your green tea flavour to be.

    How to choose matcha powder


    There are two kinds of matcha powder — culinary grade and ceremonial grade.

    Ceremonial grade matcha is more expensive, very fine and silky, and has a vibrant green colour. It’s designed to be naturally sweet and strong and is usually the kind used in Japanese tea ceremonies.

    Not very many people appreciate the strong matcha flavour though. It’s definitely an acquired taste.

    Culinary grade matcha is a more versatile matcha powder that’s more commonly used to make matcha lattes and baked goods. This is the matcha flavour we’re probably more used to.

    I used to think that I needed to splurge for the ceremonial matcha powder but after many recipes and years of baking, I realized that for the goodies that I make, culinary grade works just as well. 

    So don’t sweat it. Just make sure the matcha powder you use for baking is the matcha powder you enjoy drinking.

    I would recommend buying pure matcha powder though, and not those already sweetened with sugar. 

    I personally like Elan Organic Matcha Powder which I can usually get at Costco for a steal. 

    Stack of chocolatey green tea brownies.

    How do I make my brownies green?


    To get that vibrant green tint to your brownies, make sure to:

    – Use fresh, high quality matcha powder. They have a more vibrant colour that tends to shine through in baked goods. And remember that matcha powder that’s been sitting in your cupboard starts to lose their lustre after a while, resulting to brownies that are more brown than bright green. 

    – Making a 2-batter brownie also results to that lovely green colour. If you just add matcha powder to the cocoa mixture, you will taste it but the colour will get lost in all that brown. Mixing it with the cream cheese for a nice cheesecake layer ensures you get pretty green swirls all around.

    How do I make moist, chewy, fudgy brownies?


    In my experience,  two things significantly affect the chewiness and fudginess of brownies:

    1. Brown sugar. In this recipe, there’s ½ cup packed brown sugar and I’ve found that adding it helps create that sticky, fudgy texture.

    2. Bake time. Remember it’s better to under-bake than over-bake brownies. Use the baking time in this recipe (or any brownie recipe) as a guide and then start testing your brownies about 10 minutes before the end, or just when they start pulling away from the sides of your pan.

    The tester or toothpick you insert in the centre must not come out clean. What you want are bits of crumbs (not wet batter) sticking to it. The brownies will continue to cook as they cool.

    How to store homemade brownies


    Brownies will keep in the fridge for up to a week but the best way to store them is to freeze them.

    Cut the thoroughly cooled brownies into individual pieces, wrap each one in plastic wrap (wrap them snugly), then with foil. Place each one in a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag.

    When you’re ready to eat or serve them, just bring them out and thaw at room temperature. They’re good slightly chilled too.

    Brownies stored in the freezer will keep for 1-2 months.

    Other matcha recipes

    Here are other recipes you can make using matcha powder:

    Matcha Ice Cream
    Homemade Matcha Ice Cream
    Matcha Overnight Oats with Chia and White Chocolate Chips
    Matcha Overnight Oats
    • Matcha overnight oats are a delicious and healthy way to jumpstart your day. The unique taste of matcha is complemented perfectly by white chocolate chips for a breakfast treat that you can prep ahead and grab as you go.
    • Making homemade matcha ice cream is easy and it tastes so much better than the ones you order at restaurants or buy at the store. Packed with your favourite green tea flavour with delicious hints of vanilla, this ice cream is a matcha-lover’s dream.

    Other fudgy brownie recipes

    If you’re looking for other fudgy brownie recipes, try:

    Fudgy Walnut Brownies
    Fudgy Walnut Brownies
    Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies
    Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies
    • Fudgy walnut brownies are your favourite, classic brownies — crusty and shiny on top, chewy in the centre, and bursting with chocolate chip and walnuts in every bite.
    • While these salted caramel cream cheese brownies are all your favourite things in one decadent, luxurious bite. 
    Stack of freshly baked matcha brownies.

    Matcha Brownies Recipe (Chewy Fudgy Chocolatey)

    Author: Jolina
    Matcha brownies are your favourite chocolate brownies complemented by the delicious, earthy taste of matcha. They’re chewy, fudgy and chocolatey, just the way you like them! They’re so easy to make too.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Chill Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 24 brownies
    Calories 164 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer
    • 9×13 Baking Pan
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    Matcha Cream Cheese Mixture

    • 1 8-oz block cream cheese room temperature
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tbsp matcha powder adjust to taste
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 pc large egg room temperature

    Chocolate Brownie Batter

    • ¾ cup Dutch processed, unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
    • ½ cup espresso or strong coffee lukewarm
    • 1½ cups granulated sugar
    • ½ cup packed brown sugar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 2 pcs large eggs room temperature
    • 1⅓ cup all purpose flour

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350F, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, then line with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side. Set aside.

    Matcha Cream Cheese Mixture

    • Beat 1 block of cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
      Smooth and creamy cream cheese.
    • Add matcha powder. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste. See notes.
      Cream cheese with matcha powder.
    • Beat until incorporated.
      Matcha powder with cream cheese.
    • Add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract and continue beating until incorporated. Set this aside while you work on your chocolate brownie batter.
      Matcha cream cheese mixture with egg.

    Chocolate Brownie Batter

    • In a large bowl, whisk ¾ cup cocoa powder and ½ tsp baking soda until combined. 
      Cocoa powder mixture.
    • Add ¾ cup melted unsalted butter and whisk until smooth.
      Chocolate brownie batter.
    • Add ½ cup espresso or strong coffee and continue whisking until batter is creamy and thick. See notes.
      Chewy fudgy brownie batter.
    • Add the rest of your ingredients (except the flour) and whisk until fully incorporated.
      Brownie batter.
    • Add 1⅓ cup all purpose flour and gently fold until just combined. Do not over mix.
      Cocoa mixture with flour.

    Assembly and Baking

    • Transfer your brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
      Brownie batter in baking pan.
    • Top with your matcha powder cream cheese batter and try to spread around.
      Matcha cream cheese on top of brownie batter.
    • Run a knife through the batter to create swirls and help further even out the cream cheese throughout the pan.
      Matcha brownies ready for the oven.
    • Gently tap the pan on your counter a few times to help the batter settle in.
    • Bake the brownies for 30-45 minutes or until it's starting to brown at the edges but the centre still feels a little jiggly. You want a toothpick inserted in the middle to come out with minimal but slightly moist crumbs.
    • Take out of the oven and allow to cool on the counter. Then chill 2-3 hours (or overnight) until the brownies are set. You can serve the brownies chilled or at room temperature.

    Video

    Notes

    1. The yield depends on how big or small you cut your brownies. These matcha brownies are very rich and a little goes a long way.
    2. You’ll want your matcha cream cheese mixture stronger than how you normally like your matcha tea so that the green tea flavour shines through. I usually add 2 tablespoons (or equivalent to 6 teaspoons). 
    3. When you add the espresso or coffee to the brownie batter, it would seem like the coffee doesn’t want to incorporate into the batter. Just keep whisking, it will come together.
    4. See post for complete step-by-step photos and lots of baking tips and FAQs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 124mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 221IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information are estimates only.

    Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

    Happy baking!

    Did you make these matcha chocolate brownies? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

    More Brownies and Bars

    • Easy Dulce de Leche Brownies Recipe
    • Ube Cheesecake Bars Recipe
    • Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe
    • Ube Brownies Recipe (made with Ube Halaya)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jere Cassidy

      July 25, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      I was just gifted with matcha powder and really didn’t know I could use it in baking. Can’t wait to try these brownies.

      Reply
    2. Liz

      July 19, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      I have never baked with matcha powder, but love the color it gives!

      Reply
    3. Mely

      June 08, 2021 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for the recipe Jolina! I have a can of matcha powder not getting used so I decided to make some brownies using your recipe and its delicious!! My son loves them and wants them from now on instead of regular brownies.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        June 09, 2021 at 9:23 am

        That’s great Mely! Happy to hear you and your son like the brownies 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ivan

      May 31, 2021 at 6:22 am

      I love brownies! Willing to try any flavor, matcha is very interesting.

      Reply
    5. Annie

      May 30, 2021 at 1:17 am

      I have matcha latte every. single. day. I love putting it on everything too! Brownies have escaped my attention so I’m very excited to try this.

      Reply
    6. Rachelle

      May 28, 2021 at 11:29 pm

      What a unique brownie flavor. I love chocolate and I love green tea I bet I’ll love this! It looks very chewy and fudgy too.

      Reply
    7. Eileen M Loya

      May 26, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      I am sharing this recipe with my niece. Since the pandemic started, she kept herself busy with baking cupcakes and cookies and started a small business with it. These matcha brownies would be a good addition to her list of goodies to offer.

      Reply
    8. Tammy

      May 24, 2021 at 6:40 pm

      I adore matcha and never thought about it with chocolate. Saving this recipe.

      Reply
    9. Amber Myers

      May 24, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      I will have to try these out. We do love brownies here. I’ve never tried to make them with matcha. We’ve never had that before!

      Reply
    10. Tara Pittman

      May 22, 2021 at 2:53 pm

      I love the benefits of matcha. Would this recipe work with the matcha blended into the batter as my family would not eat the green part?

      Reply
      • Jolina

        May 26, 2021 at 3:58 pm

        Hi Tara, I haven’t tried but I think it should. Might be a little difficult to gauge how much matcha powder to put though, since you can’t taste it.

        Reply
    11. Terri A Steffes

      May 20, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      I’m loving these two toned brownies. I think I might like matcha baked into a brownie!

      Reply

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