St. Patrick’s Day Green Matcha Cupcakes Recipe
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these vibrant and moist Green Matcha Cupcakes. Infused with subtle matcha flavor and brightened with green food coloring, these cupcakes are topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting, perfect for any festive occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (115 g), softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (120 ml)
- ¼ cup milk (60 ml)
- Green food coloring (gel recommended)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon matcha powder
Buttercream Frosting
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 g), softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: chocolate shavings or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, roughly 2 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry mixes: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk plus milk to the butter mixture, mixing gently after each addition just until smooth. Stir in the green food coloring and matcha powder if using, until the batter achieves your desired shade of green.
- Fill cupcake liners and bake: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting: Beat the softened butter until it is creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar while continuing to beat. Mix in the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost and decorate: Pipe or spread the buttercream frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Optional: decorate with chocolate shavings or festive sprinkles to enhance the holiday theme.
Notes
- For a stronger matcha flavor, adjust the matcha powder quantity according to your preference.
- Use gel food coloring for a vibrant green without thinning the batter.
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Buttercream can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge; bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.
- These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Keywords: St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes, green cupcakes, matcha cupcakes, festive cupcakes, vanilla buttercream, holiday dessert
