INTRODUCTION
If you are a matcha lover, then you will love this great recipe for matcha cake. Matcha is finely powdered green tea that gives your desserts such a beautiful color and so many health benefits. Famous for its bright green color, this cake is not only light and delicious with its unique taste.
But it also has the distinctive earthy flavor of matcha, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion. It is fantastic to enjoy at tea parties, birthday celebrations, or simply for a quiet afternoon snack with a cup of tea. So let’s get started with this simple recipe!
Why You’ll Love Matcha Cake
- This has made the matcha cake unique due to its earthy, slightly sweet taste, which is not common when one talks about traditional cakes.
- Health Benefits: The cake can also be a little healthier because matcha is rich in antioxidants and might give one a weak caffeine boost.
- Versatile: Matcha cake is a versatile addition to your dessert options, as it can be served plain, with icing, or combined with various fillings.
Health Benefits of Matcha
It is well known that matcha has many health benefits, some of which follow.
- Catechin: This is the kind of antioxidant, which, according to researchers’ reports has inhibited inflammation and protected cells in so many ways. Many catechins are found in matcha, so this becomes a very essential compound responsible for its healthy properties.
- It aids in weight loss: Scientific research has shown that the intake of matcha results in a boost of metabolism for the body and facilitates efforts in losing body weight. This boosts the ability of the body to spend energy, which will be helpful in managing weight.
- L-Theanine: It is a chemical compound that matches produces, which is very significant in improving mental concentration and cognitive functions. It also induces relaxation by reducing stress and thus enhances the ability to concentrate.
With all these benefits, adding matcha to your daily routine is not only great but pretty good for your health, too.
Ingredients
- 2 cups MINUS 2 tbsp (225 grams)
- 2 tablespoons (12 grams) ceremonial matcha
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 4 large (50 grams each, out of shell) eggs, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (227 grams) whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable or canola oil
Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
Optional garnish:
- matcha
- raspberries
- mint leaves
Instructions
To make the cake:
- Position the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Oil the sides of two 8-inch round pans and line them with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, matcha, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract using the whisk attachment of an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens and is lightly golden.
- Let’s do it. If your stand mixer doesn’t have a whisk attachment, use the paddle attachment to beat the mixture for five minutes.
- On low speed, mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Then, using a silicone spatula, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix quickly.
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Do not let it boil. When small bubbles start forming on the sides of the pan, it is ready. Its temperature should be between 82 to 85 °C (180–185 °F). When removing the pan from the stove, add oil and butter and mix until the butter melts.
- On medium speed, slowly add the milk mixture to the batter until fully combined.
- Using about 2 3/4 cups (580 g) of the entire batter, pour the batter into the two prepared molds. It looks a bit foamy.
- When you insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, it comes out clean and pulls the edges off the sides of the pan and the cake is ready—bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Preparation time: The cake will take about two hours to remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting:
- Using an electric or stand mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a large mixing bowl on medium speed until well blended.
- Then, slowly add the heavy cream while whisking at low speed.
- When it is completely combined, increase the speed to high and beat for about five minutes, or until stiff peaks form.
Assembly:
- Place one cake layer on a serving platter with the flat side down.
- Spread 1 cup frosting on it, which is 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick.
- Then place the second layer, face down, on top of the frosting.
- Place the cake, uncovered, in the refrigerator or freezer for 30 minutes to 2 hours, so that it hardens. This reinforces the scratches, making them less likely to slip and less likely the crumbs will fall out.
- If you don’t have time, you can make the frosting immediately.
- To make the cake look its best, spread a thin layer of crumb coat frosting around and on the lids. The cake is recognizable by the frosting.
- Cool your cake for 20 minutes and ice your cake evenly and smooth. Garnish with remaining frosting.
- Just before serving, sprinkle matcha through a strainer. It can also be garnished with raspberry and mint leaves.
- Store leftover frozen cakes for up to 3 days. Carefully wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a Ziploc bag, the layers can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days without ice.
Tips for the Perfect Matcha Cake
- Use Good Quality Matcha: It may depend on you how you select your matcha powder as the good quality of matcha powder results in good flavored cakes and visually perfect colored cake. When you bake, always opt for cooking quality matcha powder.
- Sift the Matcha: If you are going to add match powder in the mixture then it is a good idea to sift it before hand. This ensures no lumping and well distribution of the matcha powder throughout the batter.
- Don’t Overmix: In case you want to make this batter light and fluffy, you may mix it just until all the ingredients have been incorporated.
- Cooling Time: Fill the frosting once the cake is cool completely. Otherwise, you would end up melting the icing.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For a better blend and a tender cake, your eggs and butter must be at room temperature.
- Experiment with Flavors: You can even flavor the cake with some additional flavors, like almond extract, add different layers of fruits or chocolate in it, so that this cake becomes even more delicious. It will improve the flavor of the cake and it will taste all the more delicious.
CONCLUSION
Here’s a very good recipe that combines the unique flavor of Matcha powder into a light and fluffy cake. This one is good for every kind of occasions. Its rich green color and flavor is guaranteed to make a lasting impression on family and friends. So, accumulate all the ingredients to prepare this beautiful green dish not only visually appealing but also filled with several health benefits. For a best experience of relishing the matcha powder cake, you can serve it accompanied by your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
FAQ’s
What does matcha taste like in a cake?
Scaffolding has herbal and sometimes grassy flavors that give baked goods a fruity, earthy flavor.
Does matcha taste better than milk or water?
Macha plays well with milk and sugar.
Is Mach healthy?
The health benefits of matcha tea abound in cancer-fighting antioxidants.
What flavors go with matcha cake?
Citrus: Lemon and yuzu