Matcha Cupcakes: How to Make the Perfect Green Tea Dessert

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Move over pumpkin spice, it’s time to get ready for matcha season! Matcha is a type of green tea that is made from ground up tea leaves. It has a rich, earthy flavor and is often used in desserts and lattes like our matcha cupcakes.

Today we are going to show you how to make the perfect matcha cupcakes. These cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and have a delicious matcha flavor. Let’s get started!

There are a lot of health benefits to matcha tea. It is high in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can help boost metabolism. Matcha is also caffeine-free, which makes it a great choice for those who want a healthy drink without the jitters.

What is exactly Matcha?

Matcha is green tea but processed differently. Matcha is a type of green tea that is made from ground up tea leaves. By grinding it up, it is more potent than plain green tea and the nutritional benefits are exponentially increased.

How does that work?

The matcha powder is mixed with hot water and stirred until it becomes bright green. This unique beverage is then enjoyed either hot or cold.

Is Match really better than ordinary green tea?

Matcha, made from ground green tea leaves, is significantly more potent than regular steeped green tea. One cup of matcha is the equivalent of drinking ten cups of regular green tea. For this reason, matcha is a great choice for those looking to boost their health and energy levels.

Can you have too much green tea?

While matcha is high in antioxidants, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Consuming more than five cups of matcha per day can cause adverse effects like insomnia and irritability. It’s best to enjoy matcha in moderation.

How much caffeine is there in a serving of matcha?

Like regular green tea, matcha contains caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine in matcha varies depending on the quality of the matcha powder. Some powders contain up to 70 milligrams of caffeine per serving, while others have as little as 25 milligrams.

What does Matcha taste like?

Matcha has a rich, earthy flavor. Some people describe the taste as being similar to spinach. The matcha flavor is very distinct and is a great way to add a unique twist to your favorite desserts.

Why use Matcha in Cupcakes?

The matcha flavor pairs well with sweet flavors like vanilla or chocolate. The green tea powder also adds beautiful color to the cupcakes.

How do I make these delicious cupcakes?

The yellow cupcake green tea infused base can be made from either a boxed mix or the following recipe:

Standard cupcakes recipe

A good yellow cupcake recipe for the base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs at room temp
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2” cubes
• 1/2 cup milk – the higher the fat content the better
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 TBSP Matcha Powder – I like this brand: Matcha Love

How to make Matcha Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the shelf in the middle of the oven. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl whisk flour, baking powder, matcha, and salt together. Set aside.

Place butter and milk in a microwave-safe dish and zap 2 minutes on high to melt the butter.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs for 30 seconds on medium-high speed.

With the beater still going, pour the sugar in over 30 seconds.

Beat eggs for 6 minutes more on a highly faster speed, or until tripled in volume and almost pure white.

When the egg is whipped, scatter 1/3 flour across the surface, then beat on low for 5 seconds. Stop beating, add half the remaining flour, then mix again on low for 5 seconds. Add remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 – 10 sec until the flour is just mixed in. Once you can’t see flour, stop straight away.

Pour the hot milk/butter, vanilla, and oil into the now empty flour bowl. Add about 3/4 cups of the Egg Batter into the hot milk. Use a whisk to mix until smooth. It should look kind of foamy.

With the beater on low still, pour the milk mixture into the Egg Batter over 10-15 seconds, then turn the beater off.

Fill your muffin tins with batter until they are 2/3 full. Bake 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Easy Matcha Cupcakes recipe

Use a dressed-up boxed cake mix. (snort)

How do you store Matcha Cupcakes?

Here is the thing – with the more futzy designs, I like to make them in advance of an event or get-together. The best way to usually store your finished creations? Room Temperature.

Granted, they aren’t going to be around that long – my family of three could easily take them out in two to three days. Since you are using canned frosting instead of buttercream frosting or fondant, they should be fine for five to six days. You can learn more about that in our article How To Frost A Cupcake.

How to Make Match Green Tea Cupcakes

I am going to show you how to make them from a boxed cake mix, but also talk about how to use the recipe above for the base of this Matcha Cupcakes Recipe.

What you need:

• A box of white cake mix
• The ingredients that cake mix asks for (usually egg whites, oil, water)
• 2 tablespoons Matcha powder, divided + more for dusting
• Green food coloring
• Vanilla frosting

Matcha Cupcakes Tutorial

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the shelf in the middle of the oven. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Take your cake mix and add the ingredients is asks for. Add one tablespoon of matcha powder to cake mix batter.

Fill your muffin tips cups 2/3 full of batter and bake per the box instructions.

Let them cool completely.

Frosting your Green Tea Cupcakes

Lightly mix 1 tablespoon matcha powder into your vanilla frosting.

Place the piping bag into a large glass and fold the sides of the bag over the rim of the glass. Scoop the vanilla frosting into the piping bag. Bring the pastry bag edges up and twist them together to start decorating.

Add a 1 mm star tip.

If you don’t have a piping bag, try a plastic bag with the tip snipped off. Frost the cooled and filled cupcakes.

Pipe the matcha frosting onto each cupcake

Dust with additional matcha powder.

What do you think of our take on this coffee house classic? Save money with this DIY – instead of buying them – at almost $3 each! A box of cake mix is only a buck!

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