Recipe: Green Tea Cupcakes


photo credit: Hummingbird on High

We thought this was so cute and loved that they used Stash Tea so we just had to share!

Note: this recipe adapted by Hummingbird on High is for high-altitude baking at 5,000 ft. To bake at sea level, read the notes in the ingredients list and instructions carefully.

Hummingbird Bakery Green Tea Cupcakes Recipe

For the Chocolate-Green Tea Cake Base:
(makes 10 - 12 cupcakes)

1/2 cup whole milk
3 green tea bags (We recommend Stash Tea Premium Green.)
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for sea-level, reduce to 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
a scant 3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder (for sea-level, increase to 1 1/2 teaspoons)
a pinch of salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 egg, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Green Tea Buttercream Frosting:
(enough for 12 cupcakes)

2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder (We recommend Stash Tea Matcha.)
2 tablespoons whole milk

To Make the Cupcakes:
Put 1/2 cup milk and 3 green tea bags in a liquid measuring cup, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight if possible.

Preheat the oven to 350 (F); for sea-level, preheat the oven to 325 (F).

Put the 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour*, 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder*, pinch of salt, and 3 tablespoons butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.

Remove the green tea bags from the infused milk and strain into the measuring cup.

Combine the milk with 1 egg and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla; whisk the mixture together.

Slowly pour half the milk/egg/vanilla mixture, beating well until all the ingredients are well mixed. Turn the mixer up to high speed and beat to make sure there are no lumps.

Turn the mixture down to medium-slow and slowly pour in the remaining milk mixture, scraping any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the batter is smooth.

Spoon the batter into paper cases lined in a muffin tin until each case is two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the cake bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the center of a cupcake should come out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool slightly in the pan before turning out into a wire rack to cool completely. When the cupcakes are cold, spoon Green Tea Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows) on top and decorate accordingly.

To Make the Frosting:
Beat together 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 5 tablespoons butter, and 2 1/2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.

Turn the mixer down to a slower speed, and slowly pour in 2 tablespoons whole milk.

When the milk is completely incorporated, turn the mixer up to high speed. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes.

Visit Hummingbird on High for Tips & Addendums for this recipe.