Irresistible Matcha Cupcakes with Silky White Chocolate Frosting: An Easy Homemade Recipe

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these truly irresistible matcha cupcakes! Each bite offers a harmonious blend of tender, fluffy cake infused with the distinctive, earthy notes of premium matcha green tea, crowned with a luxuriously silky and sweet white chocolate cream cheese frosting. This recipe isn’t just about creating an incredibly delicious dessert; it also allows you to enjoy the wonderful nutritional benefits that matcha green tea is renowned for. Perfect for any occasion, from a sophisticated afternoon tea to a festive celebration, these vibrant green treats are sure to impress.

This beloved recipe was originally shared on February 28, 2016, and has since been updated with fresh, mouth-watering photos and enhanced information on March 22, 2022, to provide you with the best possible baking experience.

Matcha Cupcakes: A Delightful Fusion of Flavor and Comfort

For those who cherish the smooth, vibrant taste of a matcha latte, these matcha cupcakes are nothing short of a dream come true. Imagine all the beloved characteristics of your favorite matcha beverage, but in a delightful, portable cupcake form! These vibrant green treats are wonderfully versatile, making them an ideal choice for a delightful mid-morning pick-me-up, a show-stopping dessert for special celebrations, or simply a comforting sweet treat any day of the week. Their naturally verdant hue also makes them a particularly charming and festive option for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day!

If the idea of baking with matcha seems a little daunting, put those fears aside. This recipe is designed to be super easy and approachable for bakers of all skill levels. Once you experience the joy of creating these homemade matcha masterpieces, you might find yourself saying goodbye to store-bought matcha desserts forever. The depth of flavor and tender texture of these scratch-made cupcakes are truly unparalleled.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Matcha Cupcakes

Crafting exceptional matcha cupcakes starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why it’s important:

Matcha Cupcake Ingredients

• Granulated Sugar: This provides a clean, neutral sweetness that allows the distinct matcha flavor to shine through, unlike brown sugar which could introduce a deeper, more complex molasses note that might compete with the matcha. It also contributes to the moist texture.
• Cake Flour: A crucial component for achieving that signature tender, soft crumb in your cupcakes. Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, which results in less gluten development and a delicate texture.
• Salt: Essential in all baking, even in desserts! A pinch of fine salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the matcha taste more pronounced and nuanced.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent works in tandem with the acidic sour cream in the recipe, creating carbon dioxide bubbles that give the cupcakes their rise and light texture.
• Baking Powder: Another leavening agent, baking powder is double-acting, meaning it reacts once when mixed with wet ingredients and again when exposed to heat in the oven, ensuring a consistent and airy lift.
• Matcha Powder: The star of the show! It’s vital to use pure matcha powder, not generic “green tea powder” which may lack the vibrant color and intense flavor of true matcha. For best results, consider the quality of your matcha as it significantly impacts the taste and color of your cupcakes.
• Butter: Using unsalted butter is generally recommended in baking. This allows you to precisely control the amount of salt in your matcha dessert, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Softened butter is key for proper creaming.
• Eggs: Large eggs contribute significantly to the cupcakes’ moisture, structure, and rich flavor. They act as a binder, holding the batter together, and help create a beautiful, even texture.
• Sour Cream: This ingredient is a secret weapon for moisture and tenderness. Its acidity not only tenderizes the crumb but also activates the baking soda, contributing to the cupcakes’ lovely rise. Plain Greek yogurt can be a good substitute.
• Olive Oil: Light olive oil adds an additional layer of moisture and helps keep the cupcakes incredibly tender long after baking. Ensure you use light olive oil, not extra virgin, as the latter’s strong flavor could overpower the delicate matcha.
• Milk: Whole milk is recommended for the richest flavor and texture. Its fat content contributes to a moist and luxurious crumb.

White Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

• White Chocolate: This is what gives the frosting its distinctive sweet, milky, and creamy flavor. High-quality white chocolate will yield the best results for a truly decadent frosting.
• Butter: For the frosting, using salted butter can be an advantage as the slight saltiness helps to cut through the richness. If using unsalted, a small pinch of extra salt can be added. Room temperature butter is essential for a smooth, fluffy frosting.
• Cream Cheese: The acidity and subtle tanginess of cream cheese are crucial here. It provides a delightful counterpoint to the sweetness of the white chocolate and powdered sugar, preventing the buttercream from being overly cloying and adding a wonderful complexity.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar is critical for stiffening the frosting to a pipeable consistency while also dissolving smoothly to create a silky, lump-free texture.

Helpful Substitutions for Your Matcha Cupcakes

Baking should be an enjoyable and accessible experience. Here are some common substitutions you can make without compromising too much on the final result:

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

Absolutely! You can use a 1-to-1 substitution, directly swapping the cake flour for all-purpose flour. However, it’s important to note that using all-purpose flour will result in cupcakes that are slightly less tender and a bit denser than those made with cake flour due to its higher protein content. If you’re aiming for that signature delicate crumb, you can easily make your own cake flour at home: simply measure 1¾ cups of all-purpose flour, then remove 3½ tablespoons of flour and replace it with 3½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk these together thoroughly, and you’ll have a homemade cake flour substitute ready for baking!

Can I skip the sour cream?

Yes, you can! Plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitution for sour cream, offering a similar tang and moisture content. If Greek yogurt isn’t available, regular plain yogurt can also be used, though it might be slightly thinner, so you may need to adjust other liquid ingredients minimally if your batter seems too loose.

How To Make Fluffy Matcha Cupcakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful matcha cupcakes is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 340°F (170°C). Line a standard 12-cup cupcake pan with paper liners, ensuring they are ready for the batter.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the granulated sugar, cake flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and vibrant matcha powder. This ensures all leavening agents and flavorings are evenly distributed.
3. Incorporate Butter: Add the softened unsalted butter to the dry ingredient mixture. Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed until the mixture resembles a coarse, sandy texture. This step helps coat the flour particles in fat, contributing to tenderness.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and light olive oil until well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently with a spatula or on low speed until just combined.
6. Add Milk and Finish Batter: While continuously stirring, slowly pour in the whole milk. Continue mixing until the batter is just combined and smooth, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes.
7. Fill and Bake: Fill each cupcake liner slightly over halfway, aiming for about two-thirds full. This allows room for them to rise without overflowing. Bake for approximately 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. Cool Completely: As soon as the cupcakes come out of the oven, immediately transfer them from the hot pan onto a wire rack. This prevents them from continuing to cook in the residual heat of the pan and allows them to cool completely. Cooling thoroughly is essential before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

How To Make Silky White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This rich and creamy white chocolate frosting perfectly complements the matcha cupcakes. Here’s how to make it:

1. Melt White Chocolate: Gently melt the chopped white chocolate using a double boiler method to prevent scorching. Once melted and smooth, remove it from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. It should still be liquid but not hot to the touch.
2. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy. Add the softened cream cheese and continue beating until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, beating on low speed until fully incorporated. Once incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, airy, and fluffy. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure everything is well mixed.
4. Beat in Cooled White Chocolate: Pour the slightly cooled, melted white chocolate into the frosting mixture. Beat on medium speed until the white chocolate is fully integrated and the frosting is smooth and consistent.
5. Adjust Consistency (if needed): If the frosting appears too loose or runny, place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly. Stir it well before frosting the completely cooled cupcakes.

Storage and Freezing Directions for Your Cupcakes

Proper storage is key to enjoying your matcha cupcakes for longer. Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Storage Directions

If you’re preparing ahead, you can bake the unfrosted cupcakes up to 3-4 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness and tenderness. When you’re ready to serve, simply frost them. Once the cupcakes are frosted with this delicious buttercream, they should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps keep the frosting firm and prevents it from spoiling.

Freezing Directions

These matcha cupcakes are also excellent for freezing, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes!

• Unfrosted Cupcakes: Wrap individual unfrosted cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to one month.
• Frosted Cupcakes: If your cupcakes are already frosted, it’s best to chill them in the refrigerator first until the frosting has hardened. This prevents the frosting from smearing. Once firm, wrap each cupcake individually with plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container for freezer storage.

To enjoy frozen cupcakes, simply return them to room temperature before serving. This typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour on the countertop, or a couple of hours if thawed in the refrigerator. The gradual thawing helps maintain their moist texture.

Dietary Adaptations: Enjoy Matcha Cupcakes Your Way

Whether you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer alternative ingredients, this recipe can be easily adapted to suit your needs.

How To Make This Recipe Gluten-Free

Transforming these matcha cupcakes into a delicious gluten-free treat is entirely possible. The key is to substitute the cake flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. It’s crucial to ensure that your chosen gluten-free blend contains xanthan gum, which acts as a binder and provides the necessary structure and elasticity that gluten typically offers. Some excellent and highly recommended gluten-free flour blends include Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour, King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour, and Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend.

For best results when making gluten-free matcha cupcakes, allow your prepared batter to rest for at least 30 minutes before baking. This resting period allows the gluten-free flours to properly hydrate, resulting in a better texture and less grainy finish in the final cupcakes.

How To Make This Recipe Dairy-Free

Creating dairy-free matcha green tea cupcakes is also straightforward with a few smart substitutions:

• Butter Substitute: Replace traditional dairy butter with an equal amount of high-quality vegan butter. For baking, I highly recommend using vegan butter sticks rather than tub spreads, as sticks generally have a higher fat content and a more similar consistency to dairy butter, which is vital for proper texture in baked goods.
• Sour Cream & Milk Substitute: For the sour cream and whole milk, you can substitute with non-dairy milk. Almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk all perform wonderfully in this recipe, offering a creamy texture without dairy. When using non-dairy milk, remember to add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) as an acidic ingredient. This acidity is essential to react with the baking soda and ensure your cupcakes rise properly.
• Dairy-Free Frosting: Achieving a delicious dairy-free frosting can be done in a couple of ways. I’ve found excellent results by simply replacing the dairy butter with vegan butter sticks and the white chocolate with a good quality vegan white chocolate. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can omit the white chocolate entirely and frost your dairy-free matcha cupcakes with a delightful vegan vanilla buttercream frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matcha Cupcakes

Curious about matcha or this recipe? Here are some common questions and detailed answers:

Which matcha is best for baking?

Matcha comes in different grades, primarily culinary grade and ceremonial grade, each with specific uses:

• Culinary Grade Matcha: This grade is generally characterized by a slightly duller color and a more robust, sometimes slightly bitter, flavor compared to ceremonial grade. It’s specifically designed for use in baking, cooking, and smoothies where its flavor will be blended with other ingredients. While it’s more affordable, culinary grade matcha might not impart as strong a matcha flavor or as vibrant a green hue to your baked goods.
• Ceremonial Grade Matcha: This is the highest quality matcha, known for its vibrant, bright green color, fine texture, and smooth, less bitter taste with subtle sweet notes. It’s intended to be whisked with hot water and enjoyed on its own as a traditional tea. While significantly more expensive, if you are a true matcha enthusiast and are willing to invest for an intensely authentic matcha flavor and a strikingly beautiful green color in your cupcakes, using a high-quality ceremonial grade matcha will yield exceptional results.

Ultimately, the “best” matcha depends on your preference for flavor intensity and visual appeal, and your budget.

What does matcha taste like?

Matcha has a unique and complex flavor profile. It is often described as having a natural, slightly grassy, and vegetal taste with a pleasant hint of bitterness. High-quality matcha also boasts a distinct umami richness and a surprisingly sweet aroma and finish, particularly ceremonial grade. These layers of flavor contribute to its widespread appeal.

What do matcha cupcakes taste like?

Matcha cupcakes offer a delightful culinary experience, akin to enjoying a delicious, moist yellow cake alongside a comforting mug of warm matcha tea, all in one harmonious bite! The fluffy cake provides a sweet, comforting base, while the earthy, slightly bitter notes of matcha beautifully cut through the sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying dessert that keeps you coming back for more.

Where do you buy matcha powder?

Matcha powder has become increasingly popular and is now readily available in many grocery stores, typically found in the coffee and tea aisle or international food sections. Specialty tea shops, health food stores, and online retailers also offer a wide selection of matcha grades. The specific Ceremonial Matcha used in this recipe is from Enso, and you can often find special offers like using the code AIMADEITFORYOU for a discount on your first order!

Can you make a matcha cake with this recipe?

Absolutely! This versatile recipe can easily be converted into a stunning matcha cake. To do so, simply divide the prepared batter evenly between two 8-inch round cake pans that have been greased and floured (or lined with parchment paper). Bake the cakes for approximately 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Adjust baking time as needed based on your oven.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can confidently double this recipe! Simply multiply all the ingredient quantities by two to yield a total of 28 delicious matcha cupcakes. This is a great option for larger gatherings, parties, or if you simply want to have extra cupcakes on hand.

White Chocolate Frosted Matcha Cupcakes: A Match Made in Heaven

While a classic vanilla buttercream would undoubtedly pair well with the subtle flavors of matcha, there’s a truly magical synergy when matcha meets white chocolate. The creamy, rich, and sweetly vanilla notes of the white chocolate provide a beautiful contrast and complement to the earthy, slightly bitter undertones of the green tea. This combination creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that is both familiar and exotic.

Initially, I was cautious about adding white chocolate to a buttercream, fearing it might make the frosting overly sweet. However, by incorporating cream cheese into the frosting, its natural acidity and subtle tang skillfully cut through the sweetness, resulting in a perfectly balanced and incredibly delicious white chocolate cream cheese frosting that enhances rather than overwhelms the matcha cupcakes.

Expert Tips for Baking the Most Delicious Matcha Cupcakes

Achieving perfectly tender, moist, and flavorful matcha cupcakes is easy with these essential baking tips:

1. Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is perhaps the most critical tip for any cupcake recipe. After combining your dry and wet ingredients, you might be captivated by the beautiful green hue of the matcha batter and feel compelled to keep mixing. Resist the urge! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to dense, tough, and chewy cupcakes instead of the light and airy texture we desire. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
2. Remove Cupcakes from Pan Immediately: Once your matcha cupcakes emerge from the oven, they are still retaining heat. To prevent them from continuing to cook and potentially drying out, transfer them from the hot cupcake pan to a wire rack immediately. This allows air to circulate around them, facilitating even cooling and maintaining their perfect texture.
3. Ensure Melted White Chocolate is Cooled: When preparing your white chocolate frosting, make sure the melted white chocolate has cooled down slightly before you incorporate it into the cream cheese and butter mixture. Adding hot or warm white chocolate can cause the butter and cream cheese to melt, resulting in a soupy, separated, or runny frosting that won’t hold its shape. A slightly cooled but still liquid white chocolate ensures a smooth, stable, and perfectly pipeable frosting.
4. Get Creative with Toppings: While these cupcakes are delightful on their own, experimenting with various toppings can add an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. You can keep it simple with a delicate dusting of extra matcha powder for an intensified green tea flavor and color, or add a pop of freshness with a sliced fresh strawberry or raspberry. For a truly elegant and authentic Japanese touch, consider topping them with a beautiful salt-pickled cherry blossom (sakura).

More Delicious Matcha Dessert Recipes to Explore

• My Matcha Oreo Blondies are always a guaranteed hit whenever I whip them up!
• Discover the rich, moist texture of Matcha Financiers—buttery almond cake bites exquisitely flavored with matcha.
• For our vegan friends, you simply must try this incredible Vegan Matcha Tiramisu, featuring delicate layers of matcha cake, airy coconut whipped cream, and a sweet matcha sauce!
• Looking for a festive matcha treat for the holiday season? These charming Christmas tree Matcha Cookies are absolutely perfect for you.
• This Matcha Ice Cream is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also wonderfully delicious and refreshing!

More Irresistible Cupcake Recipes to Try

• These Chocolate Cupcakes are supremely moist and consistently a crowd-pleasing favorite!
• If you’re avoiding dairy, you’ll love these light and fluffy Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes.
• Every fellow Reese’s lover will absolutely adore these decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes!
• Do you cherish the classic flavors of carrot cake? Then you must try my delightful Carrot Cake Cupcakes! They are wonderfully moist and crowned with a bright, tangy lemon cream cheese frosting.

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