Indulge in the vibrant world of green tea with our delightful matcha cupcakes recipe. These treats capture the unique, earthy notes of premium matcha, balanced beautifully with just the right amount of sweetness. Each cupcake offers a soft, fluffy texture, crowned with a swirl of light, airy vanilla whipped cream. Get ready for a simple baking experience that brings sophisticated flavors to your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Matcha Cupcakes Recipe
You will adore this matcha cupcakes recipe for its perfect blend of unique flavors and ease of preparation. This simple dessert is ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, promising a fuss-free experience.
- Unique, Sophisticated Flavor: Enjoy the distinct, earthy taste of matcha, a sophisticated twist on traditional cupcakes. It’s a flavor that truly stands out.
- Simple, Beginner-Friendly Baking: Our clear, step-by-step instructions make creating these beautiful treats incredibly easy, even if you are new to baking.
- Beautiful, Vibrant Green Color: The natural green hue of matcha makes these cupcakes visually stunning and perfect for any occasion. They add a pop of color to your dessert table.
- Perfect for Special Occasions or Daily Treat: Whether it’s a celebration or a quiet afternoon indulgence, these homemade matcha cupcakes are always a good idea.
- Light, Airy Whipped Cream: The delicate vanilla whipped cream frosting provides a refreshing contrast to the rich matcha, elevating every bite.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients to create this delightful matcha cupcakes recipe! Using quality components ensures the best flavor and texture.
For Matcha Cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (175 g)
- 2 tablespoon culinary grade matcha powder (11 g)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (141 g)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup buttermilk (175 g)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (105 g)
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Vanilla Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (236 g)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (47 g)
- ½ – 1 teaspoon matcha powder, for dusting (optional)
Notes & Substitutions
- Matcha: Always opt for culinary grade matcha powder for baking. Its vibrant color and robust flavor are specifically designed to shine through other ingredients. Ceremonial grade is too delicate for this purpose. For more on the differences, you can review this guide on culinary vs. ceremonial grade matcha.
- Buttermilk: No buttermilk on hand? No problem! Combine ¾ cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles, then use as directed.
- Oil: Neutral-flavored oils like canola, grapeseed, or sunflower oil work perfectly in this recipe. They contribute moisture without imparting any strong flavors.
- Sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of granulated sugar in the cupcake batter and whipped cream to suit your personal sweetness preference.
- Cream: For the best results when making whipped cream, ensure your heavy whipping cream is very cold. This helps it whip up faster and hold its shape better.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking these matcha green tea cupcakes a breeze. You likely have most of these items already!
- Standard 12-cup muffin pan
- Paper cupcake liners
- Large mixing bowls (2)
- Whisk (hand or electric mixer for convenience)
- Fine-mesh sieve or sifter
- Large cookie scoop (for even batter distribution)
- Wire cooling rack
- Piping bag and tip (optional, for decorative frosting)
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create perfectly soft and flavorful matcha cupcakes. This easy matcha cupcakes recipe will have you baking like a pro in no time.
- Prep Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup standard size muffin pan with paper cupcake liners and set it aside. This ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, large egg, and pure vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Make sure the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, larger bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Sifting prevents lumps and ensures a light texture.
- Add Sweet & Salt: Stir the granulated sugar and kosher salt into the sifted dry ingredients. Whisk everything together until evenly distributed, ensuring all components are well incorporated.
- Form Batter: Add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredient mixture. Stir gently with a whisk or spatula until a smooth batter forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cupcakes. A few small lumps are fine.
- Fill Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups. A large cookie scoop works wonderfully for consistent sizing. Fill each liner about two-thirds full to prevent overflow.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake for 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on them.
- Cool Completely: Allow the baked cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes until they are cool enough to handle. Then, transfer them from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. This prevents soggy bottoms.
- Make Whipped Cream: While the cupcakes cool, prepare the whipped cream. In a clean, chilled mixing bowl, beat together the cold heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form, meaning the cream holds its shape when the whisk is lifted.
- Frost & Serve: Once the cupcakes are entirely cool, transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip. Pipe a generous swirl of whipped cream on top of each cupcake. For an extra touch, dust some matcha powder over the frosted green tea cupcakes before serving. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Mastering this matcha cupcakes recipe is easy with these helpful hints. These tips will ensure your matcha treats turn out perfectly every time.
- Quality Matcha Matters: Using high-quality culinary grade matcha is crucial for both vibrant color and authentic flavor. Cheap matcha often tastes bitter or looks dull.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops too much gluten, resulting in dense, tough cupcakes instead of light and fluffy ones. Mix until just combined.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly and creates a cohesive batter for better texture.
- Accurate Measuring: Baking is a science. Use proper measuring cups and spoons, especially for flour and leavening agents, to ensure consistent results. Weighing ingredients provides the most accurate measurements.
- Chill Mixing Bowl & Whisk: For faster and firmer whipped cream, chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before beating the heavy cream.
- Don’t Over-Whip: Watch your whipped cream carefully. Over-whipping can cause it to become grainy or even separate into butter. Stop beating once stiff peaks are just achieved.
- Cool Before Frosting: Always ensure your cupcakes are completely cool before applying frosting. Piping onto warm cupcakes will cause the whipped cream to melt and slide right off.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delicious matcha cupcakes are versatile and easy to store, making them perfect for any occasion. Here’s how to best enjoy and keep your delightful matcha treats.
- Serving: Enjoy these cupcakes fresh! They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of milk. Their unique flavor profile makes them a refreshing dessert.
- Storage: Store any leftover frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The whipped cream will hold its shape best when kept cold.
- Make Ahead (Unfrosted): You can bake the cupcakes ahead of time and store them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. Frost them just before serving.
- Freezing: Unfrosted cupcakes freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
- Frosting Variations:
- Matcha Buttercream Frosting: For a richer option, whip up a buttercream infused with extra matcha powder.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: A tangy Cream Cheese Frosting offers a delightful contrast to the earthy matcha flavor.
- Chocolate Ganache: Drizzle with a dark or white chocolate ganache for an elegant touch and added sweetness.
- Flavor Variations:
- White Chocolate Chips: Fold a handful of white chocolate chips into the batter for extra sweetness and texture.
- Red Bean Paste Swirl: Swirl a teaspoon of sweet red bean paste into the batter before baking for a classic Asian-inspired flavor pairing.
- Fresh Berries: Top your frosted cupcakes with fresh raspberries or blueberries for a burst of fruity freshness and color.
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition calculations are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods. This information is provided as a general guideline.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 80 g |
| Calories | 278 kcal |
FAQ
Got questions about this delicious matcha cupcakes recipe? We have answers! Here are some common queries to help you bake the best green tea treats.
- What type of matcha powder is best for baking? Culinary grade matcha is ideal for baking. It has a bolder flavor and color that stands up well to other ingredients, unlike the more delicate ceremonial grade.
- Can I substitute buttermilk? Yes, you can easily make a buttermilk substitute at home. Combine milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, and use it in the recipe.
- How do I prevent bitter matcha flavor? Use good quality culinary matcha and avoid overbaking your cupcakes. Overbaking can sometimes intensify bitter notes in matcha.
- Can these cupcakes be made gluten-free? You can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for best results.
- How long do these matcha cupcakes last? Frosted cupcakes last up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Unfrosted cupcakes can last a bit longer at room temperature or even frozen.
Conclusion
You now have everything you need to bake the most delightful and vibrant matcha cupcakes recipe! This simple, beginner-friendly guide ensures perfect results every time, delivering soft, fluffy cupcakes with that distinctive earthy flavor, crowned with airy vanilla whipped cream. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these beautiful green tea treats. Don’t hesitate to dive into your next baking adventure with this easy matcha cupcakes recipe. We’d love to see your creations, so please share your feedback and photos!
Easy Matcha Cupcakes Recipe with Fluffy Whipped Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup standard muffin pan with cupcake papers.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
- Sift flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and baking powder in another bowl, then add salt and sugar and whisk until evenly distributed. Combine the dry mixture with the wet ingredients to form a smooth batter.
- Divide the batter evenly into 12 muffin cups and bake for 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with a few crumbs attached.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then remove and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the whipped cream, beat together heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip, pipe a swirl on top of the cooled cupcakes, and dust with matcha powder. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
Emily Thompson is a home cook and food enthusiast who believes that great meals bring families together. She loves exploring creative twists on classic American comfort food, always testing new ideas in her kitchen. Emily is passionate about sharing simple, practical recipes and time-saving tips to help busy people enjoy cooking at home. Her approachable style makes every dish accessible, delicious, and perfect for those seeking inspiration for everyday meals and special occasions. Find Emily’s latest creations and kitchen wisdom on yumeasymeals.com.
