Matcha is more than just a trendy ingredient - it's a way of life. And what better way to celebrate the power of Matcha than with a delicious Matcha cake? In this post, we'll show you how to whip up a Matcha cake that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Choosing the Best Ingredients for Your Cake
Matcha powder is the star of the show when it comes to making Matcha cake. It's what gives the cake its signature green colour and unique flavour profile. However, not all Matcha powders are created equal. To achieve the best results, it's essential to choose a high-quality, culinary-grade Matcha powder.
Culinary-grade Matcha powder is made from leaves that are slightly older and have a stronger flavour profile than the leaves used to make ceremonial-grade Matcha. This makes culinary-grade Matcha ideal for cooking and baking, as its flavour can stand up to other ingredients. When choosing your Matcha powder, look for a bright green colour and a slightly sweet, vegetal aroma. Avoid powders that are dull or yellowish in colour, as these may have been sitting on the shelf for too long.
In addition to Matcha powder, you'll need some other basic ingredients to make your Matcha cake. Flour, sugar, and salt are the usual suspects in any cake recipe, and they form the dry base of your cake batter. It's important to use the right type of flour for your cake - all-purpose flour is a safe choice, but if you want a more delicate texture, you can use cake flour instead.
The key wet ingredients in your Matcha cake are eggs, milk, water, and butter. Eggs provide structure and moisture to the cake, while milk and water help to create a light, fluffy texture. Butter adds richness and flavour to the cake, and it also helps to keep it moist. Be sure to use room temperature butter, as it will cream more easily with the sugar and eggs.
By using high-quality ingredients and following the right recipe, you can create a Matcha cake that's as delicious as it is visually stunning. So don't skimp on the Matcha powder, and take care to choose the best ingredients for your cake. Your taste buds will thank you!
How to Mix and Bake Your Matcha Cake
So if you're looking to make a Matcha cake that's a little more unique than your standard layer cake, you might want to try a Matcha crêpe cake! This cake is made by layering thin Matcha-flavoured crêpes with Matcha buttercream, resulting in a visually stunning and delicious dessert. Here's how to make it:
To start, whisk together the flour, Matcha powder, and salt in a medium bowl. These dry ingredients will form the base of your crêpe batter.
In a separate bowl, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, also add a tablespoon of sugar. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until everything is well combined. This will create a smooth and creamy crêpe batter. Finish of the batter with a little bit of water and melted butter.
To make the crêpes, heat a nonstick skillet or crêpe/pancake-pan over medium heat. Pour a small amount of batter into the pan and swirl it around until it covers the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. Cook the crêpe for 1-2 minutes, or until the edges start to lift away from the pan. Flip the crêpe and cook for another 30 seconds on the other side. Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the cooked crêpes on a plate as you go.
Make the buttercream by combining butter and sugar with matcha powder, whisk hard until fluffy and light.
Once you have a stack of thinly fried crêpes, it's time to assemble your cake. But first, make sure that your crêpes has well enough time to cool off. When your pancakes are cold, start the assembly process by spreading a layer of Matcha buttercream on top of the first crêpe, then add another crêpe on top. Continue layering crêpes and buttercream until you've used up all of your crêpes or reached your desired height.
When you're finished layering, cut the edges of the pancake stack so that they become beautifully even and round.
The result is a unique and delicious cake that's sure to impress your friends and family!
The Fun Part - Decorating Your Matcha Cake
When it comes to decorating your Matcha cake, the possibilities are endless! Here are some fun and creative ideas to try:
Fresh fruit: Add a pop of colour and flavour to your Matcha cake by decorating it with fresh fruit. Sliced strawberries, raspberries, or kiwi make a beautiful and tasty addition to any cake.
Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of your Matcha cake can make all the difference. You can also flavour your whipped cream with a little Matcha powder for an extra dose of green tea goodness.
Matcha powder: Dusting a little Matcha powder on top of your frosting is an easy and elegant way to add some Matcha flavour to your cake. You can also use a stencil to create a fun design or pattern.
Matcha buttercream: To really amp up the Matcha flavour, try making Matcha buttercream. Simply mix Matcha powder into your usual buttercream recipe until you achieve the desired taste and colour.
Matcha-themed decorations: Get creative and have fun with your Matcha-themed decorations! You can add Matcha-flavoured macarons or green tea Kit Kats as garnish. You can also use a piping bag to create Matcha-themed designs on the cake, like a Matcha swirl or Matcha leaves.
No matter how you choose to decorate your Matcha cake, be sure to take some photos and share them with us on social media! And remember, the best part about baking is getting to enjoy the delicious results with friends and loved ones.
There you have it - the perfect recipe for a Matcha cake that will have your taste buds singing. Get creative with your decorations and enjoy the Matcha madness!
The recipe
When making a Matcha cake, precise measurements are key to achieving the perfect texture and flavour. Here are the measurements you'll need for a batch of 12 Matcha crêpes and Matcha buttercream frosting:
For the Crêpes
- 3 dl flour
- 6 dl milk + 1 dl water
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon culinary Matcha powder
- 50 grams butter
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Matcha powder, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and water.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave, and stir it into the batter.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or crêpe pan over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet and tilt it to spread the batter evenly.
- Cook the crêpe for about 1 minute on each side, or until lightly golden. Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the crêpes on a plate as you go.
For the Matcha buttercream
- 200 grams butter
- 400 grams sifted icing sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons Matcha powder (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Add the Matcha powder and mix until well combined.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up.
With these precise measurements, you'll be able to make a delicious and visually stunning Matcha cake. So get your apron on and let's start baking!
