Step 1

Preparation Whisk 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoons matcha in a small bowl; set aside.

Step 2

Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons matcha in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on mediumhigh speed, beat butter, brown sugar, honey, and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg, egg yolk, and lemon zest and mix until very pale, about 4 minutes.

Step 3

Reduce mixer speed to low and, with motor running, add flour mixture; mix until no dry spots remain. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix in white chocolate.

Step 4

Wrap dough in plastic and chill at least 2 hours and up to 5 days. If chilling more than a few hours, let dough sit at room temperature 1 hour to soften before scooping and baking.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 350°. Scoop the dough by the scant tablespoonful onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 1" apart. (Or, for neat and tidy cookies with perfect edges, like the ones in our photo, portion same amount of dough into the cups of a mini muffin pan coated with nonstick vegetable oil spray.)

Step 6

Bake cookies, rotating baking sheet halfway through, until bottoms and edges are barely golden and cooked (top will no longer look wet), 8–10 minutes.

Step 7

Immediately—but gently—toss cookies in reserved matcha sugar and place on wire racks; let cool.

Step 8

Do ahead:Store cookies airtight at room temperature up to 2 days.

Step 9

Ingredient info: Matcha, also called green tea powder, is available at Japanese markets and some supermarkets, and online.