There’s something calming about matcha, before the cake even goes into the oven, that earthy green tea aroma starts rising from the bowl, slightly grassy, slightly sweet, quietly luxurious. It’s not loud like chocolate. It doesn’t shout like citrus. Matcha whispers, and when baked into a cake, it becomes something beautiful.
Matcha cake is soft, delicate, and gently sweet with that signature green tea depth. The vibrant natural green color feels modern and elegant, while the flavor balances sweetness with subtle bitterness, making every bite layered and interesting.
This is the kind of cake that feels refined. Light enough for afternoon tea. Elegant enough for celebrations. Unique enough to stand out from every vanilla and chocolate cake on the table.
Let’s make it.
Ingredients
For the Matcha Sponge Cake:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp high-quality matcha powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (180ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting (Whipped Cream or Buttercream):
Option 1 : Light Whipped Cream Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Option 2 : Matcha Buttercream:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Kitchen Tools
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Sifter (important for matcha)
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
How to Make Matcha Cake
1. Preheat & Prepare
Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.
Grease and line cake pans with parchment paper. Sift matcha powder separately to remove clumps, this step prevents green streaks in the batter.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. This creates the base structure and keeps the cake soft.
Take your time, cause properly creamed butter makes a noticeable difference.
3. Add Eggs & Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract for a soft aromatic balance to the earthy matcha.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together:
- Flour
- Matcha powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
Sifting is crucial here, matcha can clump easily.
5. Mix Wet & Dry
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense. The batter should be smooth and beautifully green.
6.Bake
Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare Frosting
For whipped cream:
Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
For buttercream:
Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and matcha. Add milk until smooth and spreadable.
8. Assemble
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting evenly. Top with a second layer and frost the top and sides.
Optional:
- Dust lightly with matcha powder
- Add fresh strawberries
- Decorate with white chocolate shavings
Tips for Perfect Matcha Cake
Use high-quality matcha — culinary grade works, but premium matcha gives brighter color and smoother flavor.
Do not overbake — matcha cakes dry out faster than chocolate cakes.
Sift matcha thoroughly — prevents bitterness pockets.
Balance sweetness — matcha has natural bitterness, so avoid reducing sugar too much.
Cool completely before frosting — this prevents melting.
Fun Variations
Matcha Strawberry Cake – Add fresh sliced strawberries between layers.
Matcha White Chocolate Cake – Fold white chocolate chips into batter.
Matcha Cheesecake Hybrid – Swirl matcha into cheesecake batter.
Vegan Matcha Cake – Replace butter with plant-based butter and use flax eggs.
When you cut into a matcha cake, the color alone makes people pause. That soft green interior feels fresh and calming.
The first bite is smooth and lightly sweet, followed by the subtle earthy depth of green tea. It’s refined without being complicated. Unique without being overpowering. Matcha cake isn’t just dessert, it’s mood. It’s balance. It’s elegance in edible form.
And once you’ve mastered it, you’ve added something modern and globally loved to your cake collection.
