The Best Matcha Cupcakes

Matcha cupcakes might just be your new favorite dessert! Light and fluffy, and topped with a cloud of heavenly cream cheese frosting, these green tea cupcakes are the perfect luxurious indulgence.

Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases. 

In early mornings, I love sipping a cup of warm matcha tea as I watch the sunrise over the lake. There’s just something about that earthy, sweet taste that makes my heart sing.

I love the complex, yet light flavor of matcha tea. As I was indulging in this moment of bliss, a brilliant thought came to me, “what if this matcha flavor was in a dessert?”.

And now, I present to you, the best matcha green tea cupcakes recipe!

These cupcakes are the perfect dessert option for those of us who love sweet treats combined with the mellow, natural flavors of matcha. It’s also great for those who might be a little too busy to make it to the local coffee shop for a matcha fix every day (ahem, me!).

These matcha tea cupcakes are easy to make and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry already! Just make sure to purchase a good quality matcha powder, and you’ll be on your way to matcha bliss in no time.

You can enjoy these sophisticated cupcakes at any time of the year. They make a wonderful option for a light after-dinner dessert and they also provide an opportunity to introduce your kids to a new flavor profile, if they’re curious!

If you love this cupcake recipe, then you're going to love these pink champagne cupcakes and my signature eggnog cupcakes.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make Matcha Cupcakes
• Storage
• Expert Tips and FAQS
• More Easy Dessert Recipes
• Matcha Cupcakes

Ingredients

Let's take a look at the baking ingredients you need to make these lovely green tea cupcakes.

For the Cupcakes:

• Flour: All-purpose is best, giving these muffins a deliciously soft base.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and makes them more tender.
• Matcha powder: The star of the show! This will give the cupcakes a delicate, earthy, classic matcha tea-like flavor.
• Baking powder: To make the cupcakes light and airy.
• Whole milk: Adds moisture and fat content that will make the cupcakes oh-so decadent.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes soft and moist.
• Eggs: Binds all the ingredients together to create the delicate structure of these cupcakes.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla is the best option.

For the Frosting:

• Butter: Lightens up the texture of the frosting while adding plenty of rich flavors.
• Cream cheese: For a rich, delectable frosting base.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting its sweetness.

See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and the quantities of each.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few simple swaps you can use for this recipe.

• All purpose flour: Make these gluten-free by using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
• White granulated sugar: Swap it out with any white granulated sugar replacer such as monk fruit sweetener or Swerve.
• Vegetable oil: Use your favorite baking oil just be sure it has a neutral flavor so it doesn't interfere with the flavor of the cupcakes.
• Eggs: You can use a flax egg or egg replacer when making matcha cupcakes.
• If you want to swap out the frosting, use whipped topping, buttercream frosting, chocolate ganache, or even add a pinch of matcha to the cream cheese frosting if you want a matcha icing.

Equipment

All that's required are a handful of basic baking tools. Here's what you need:

• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Mixing Bowl
• Muffin Tin
• Cupcake Liners
• Piping bag
• Sifter
• Whisk 
• Stand mixer or electric mixer (You can use the electric mixer on low speed but be careful not to over-mix.)

How to Make Matcha Cupcakes

Before getting started, preheat the oven and acquire all of the ingredients and tools you will need. I like to line my muffin tin with the cupcake liners at this point, too.

1. Sift all of the dry ingredients together for the cupcake base. It is extremely important to sift the ingredients as this will ensure the rising agents are evenly mixed in and will prevent lumps in your cupcake batter.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. It’s important not to mix everything in one bowl at once because this could result in a lumpy batter.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix. 
4. Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin using a piping bag, spoon, or cookie scoop. The batter should fill the muffin tin to about two-thirds full. 
5. Pop them into the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until cooked through, then remove them from the oven to cool. Test the cupcakes for doneness by making sure the top of the cupcake is set. Then use a knife or toothpick inserted in the center.

6. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until well combined.
7. Slowly add the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and increase the speed on the mixer until the frosting has reached desired consistency.

8. When the cupcakes are done cooking, remove them from the oven. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.
9. Drop the frosting into the piping bag and pipe it on top of the cooled cupcakes. 

10. Garnish the top of the cupcakes with a light sprinkle of matcha tea powder and add a sprig of mint or some edible flowers for decoration.

Storage

For the best flavor eat these cupcakes fresh within 1-3 days. Store the leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Expert Tips and FAQS

• Do not use a matcha “mix” as this may contain extra sweetener and other unnecessary ingredients.
• For BEST results use culinary matcha. Meant for baking, it contains a lower caffeine content. You can also use ceremonial matcha, which is normally reserved for drinking but will deepen the flavor and brighten the pigment of the cupcake.
• It is very important to sift the ingredients. This helps remove lumps and ensures that the rising agents evenly mix into the batter. 
• Allow the cupcakes to cool fully before adding the icing.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!