Heaven of Tea

Cupcakes are some of the most perfect sweet treats ever to come out of an oven. Beyond being just the right size to satisfy a sweet tooth urge, they’re the ultimate sweet accessory for a cup of tea and can often be used as a centerpiece for a tea party when stacked on a delicate stand.

Although the cake itself is the foundation, the frosting is truly a delicacy to be admired (“The icing on the cake” is an expression for a reason). So whether you choose store bought mix or opt to make the cake from scratch, you should consider treating your taste buds to Matcha Buttercream Frosting. Unlike most tea recipes, you do not have to brew the matcha before adding it to the other ingredients since it is a powder that can be mixed in on the spot.

And just in case you need a refresher Matcha is “top quality green tea powder [that] is hand-made from the youngest Gyokuro leaves.” Doesn’t that make the frosting sound even more decadent? So get ready to lick the spoon with this simple frosting recipe from Cupcake Bakeshop.

Matcha Buttercream Frosting

1 stick butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons half and half or light cream
1 tablespoon matcha powder
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1. Mix matcha in with the light cream to make a paste.
2. Beat butter briefly, scrape bowl.
3. Add the sifted powdered sugar and matcha paste. Beat until smooth.

And if your guilt kicks in after the second or third cupcake, just remember that “matcha is said to be even healthier than other green teas since it is the only tea in which the whole leaf is used.” Go ahead, have another.