Moist, buttery matcha cake is a gorgeous green color with a subtle flavor of green tea. I’ve topped it all off with a creamy strawberry frosting! This is the perfect springtime cake!
Make sure to try my Matcha Shortbread Cookies too!
What To Expect:
- A beautifully green, green tea flavored sheet cake with a subtle sweetness.
- Easy to make in a 9×13 pan OR as a layer cake in 2 8- inch round cake pans.
- Moist texture.
- Done quickly and can be served on a cake plate or right out of your 9×13 baking pan!
What Is Matcha?
Matcha’s literal translation is “powdered tea”. When you make green tea you steep the leaves into hot water and remove the tea bag (or leaves) from the water and enjoy! With Matcha Green Tea the leaves are pulverized and whisked into the water or milk so you are actually drinking the leaves. You can add the matcha powder right into the cake batter which naturally colors the cake or baked good a beautiful green color while giving it the subtle flavor of green tea!
Choosing The Right Frosting for This Cake
I love the matcha paired with strawberry frosting, but you can absolutely mix it up and use something different! Here are a few ideas:
- Buttercream. A simple, vanilla buttercream frosting would pair beautifully with this cake! And I happen to have the best recipe out there!
- White Chocolate Buttercream. White chocolate would be an amazing pair with matcha! I’ve linked up my recipe for my white chocolate that includes a white chocolate frosting recipe too!
- Chocolate Frosting. My creamy chocolate frosting is amazing, and it would be a delicious topping for this matcha cake!
- Heritage Frosting. This cooked frosting is an old fashioned treat! My mom used to always frost her red velvet cake with Heritage Frosting
TIPS:
- Make sure to store this airtight. Matcha can oxidize if left out, causing the green color to dull, leaving you with a more brown-green color. The cake will still taste absolutely fine, but it won’t be as vibrant and pretty!
- I love the strawberry frosting on this cake and never have any extra, but if you like to go light handed, just store the remaining frosting in the freezer for up to 30 days! Or you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
- If you would like to, you can also use cake flour in this cake. Just increase the amount by 2 tablespoons.
- I use culinary grade matcha powder in baking, but you can use ceremonial grade matcha if you prefer. It really isn’t necessary in baking, as the subtle nuances in flavor aren’t detectable in cakes and cookies. Plus it costs a little more and there is no need!
Matcha Cake With Strawberry Frosting
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: serves 12
- Category: Cake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
This moist Matcha Sheet Cake is soft and buttery with a mild herbal green tea flavor. Matcha pairs well with the fruity, bright taste of berries, so we’ve topped this easy sheet cake with a sweet strawberry buttercream. The sweetness in the frosting especially complements matcha’s sharp notes, adding a surprising depth of flavors.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
Frosting:
- 3/4 cups butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cups strawberry preserves (jam or jelly will work also)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13- inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary.
- WIth mixer still on medium, add in the vanilla, baking powder, salt, and matcha powder. Mix for 1 minute until combined.
- Turn the mixer down to low and add in the flour and milk in alternating additions, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Spread the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 – 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting: In the clean bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle or whisk attachment mix the butter and jam together on medium speed until combined. Turn mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until combined. Turn the mixer up to medium and mix for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
Notes
You can also make this as a layer cake in 2 round 8- inch pans. Bake at 350°F for 25 – 27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Curious on the caffeine content of the matcha powder