Name: Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 46 min
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1¾ cups cake flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; 2 tablespoons matcha powder; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature; 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup sour cream; ¼ cup olive oil; ⅔ cup whole milk; 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped; ¼ cup salted butter, room temperature; 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

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If you love vibrant flavors and a touch of elegance in your desserts, this Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe is an absolute winner. These cupcakes deliver the perfect balance of earthy, subtly sweet matcha paired with a luxuriously smooth white chocolate frosting that feels like a dream on your tongue. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing friends at a gathering, these cupcakes bring a delightful pop of color and an irresistible combination of textures that’s sure to brighten up any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top-down view of nine clear glass bowls and two brown eggs arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. The largest bowl on the right holds a pile of white flour with a soft, powdery texture. Above it is a medium bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar, smooth and even. Below the sugar is a small bowl with several chunks of pale, soft butter. To the left of the butter is a tiny bowl with a pinch of pink salt, fine and grainy. Below the salt is a small bowl with white baking powder, powdery and fluffy. Below the baking powder is a small white bowl filled with vibrant green matcha powder, finely ground and dense. Below the matcha powder is a medium bowl filled with a translucent, light yellow liquid, smooth in texture. Along the bottom left are two whole brown eggs with a smooth matte shell. To the right of the eggs is a medium bowl filled with creamy white milk, smooth and consistent. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic behind the Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each component plays a critical role—whether it’s the fine cake flour giving the crumb its tender texture or the matcha powder that delivers that signature grassy flavor and brilliant green hue.

Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a tender crumb.
Cake flour: Keeps the cupcakes light and soft without heaviness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness perfectly.
Baking soda and baking powder: Gives the cupcakes a gentle rise and airy feel.
Matcha powder: Provides vibrant color and a rich, earthy flavor that defines this recipe.
Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and richness to the cupcake batter.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together while adding structure.
Sour cream: Introduces tanginess and keeps crumbs moist and tender.
Olive oil: Boosts moisture and gives a subtle depth to the flavor.
Whole milk: Combines all elements for a smooth batter consistency.
White chocolate (chopped): The star ingredient for the frosting, lending a creamy, sweet finish.
Salted butter (room temperature): For a fluffy, smooth frosting texture.
Cream cheese (room temperature): Adds tang and stability to the frosting blend.
Powdered sugar (sifted): Sweetens and lightens the frosting perfectly.

How to Make Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cupcake Batter

First, preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C) and line your cupcake pan with paper liners—this helps your cupcakes come out cleanly and look neat. In a medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the vibrant matcha powder. Next, add the softened unsalted butter and mix until the mixture looks like coarse sand; this texture is key for a tender bake.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, sour cream, and olive oil. This blend adds moisture and richness to your cupcakes. Gradually add this to the dry mix, stirring gently to combine. Then slowly pour in the whole milk while stirring to create a smooth batter—be careful not to overmix, as that can make cupcakes tough.

Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes

Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter to leave room for rising. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 16 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a clean toothpick slides out easily. Once baked, transfer the cupcakes onto a wire rack to cool completely to ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.

Step 4: Prepare the White Chocolate Frosting

Melt the chopped white chocolate gently over a double boiler; watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly while you beat the salted butter until light and fluffy. Then, add cream cheese and continue beating until smooth and creamy. Slowly sift in powdered sugar, beating as you go to maintain a smooth texture. Finally, beat in the cooled white chocolate for a rich, luscious frosting. If it’s too soft, refrigerate briefly to thicken before frosting the cupcakes.

Step 5: Frost Your Cupcakes

Using a spatula or piping bag, generously frost your cooled cupcakes with the white chocolate cream cheese frosting. The contrast of the bright green matcha base and the ivory frosting is as stunning as it is delicious.

How to Serve Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe

There are six green cupcakes arranged on a white surface with a white doily underneath some of them. Each cupcake has a single swirl of white frosting on top, sprinkled with green powder. In the foreground, there is a white bowl filled with green powder and a spoon with some green powder on it. The background shows a white bottle and a white cloth with a black grid pattern on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra matcha powder on top adds an elegant, natural flourish. You can also adorn cupcakes with white chocolate shavings or tiny edible flowers to elevate their visual appeal, making them perfect for special celebrations or afternoon tea.

Side Dishes

Serve these cupcakes alongside a soothing cup of green tea or jasmine tea. The delicate flavor of the tea complements the earthiness of matcha and balances the sweetness of the frosting beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Try placing cupcakes in colorful wrappers or on a tiered cake stand for a stunning display. You could also offer a platter with assorted matcha treats, such as matcha cookies and macarons, for a themed dessert spread that delights both eyes and palate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and frosting stability. They should stay moist and flavorful for up to four days, perfect for enjoying at your leisure.

Freezing

If you want to save cupcakes for longer, freeze them unfrosted in a sealed container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw completely before frosting and serving to preserve texture and taste.

Reheating

For a just-baked feel, warm the cupcakes gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before frosting. Avoid reheating cupcakes with frosting to prevent melting and separation.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of cake flour?

While cake flour yields the lightest and softest cupcakes, you can substitute all-purpose flour by sifting it with a little cornstarch to mimic cake flour’s lower protein content. This will give you a slightly denser texture but still delicious cupcakes.

Is there a substitute for sour cream in this recipe?

You can replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a similar tang and moisture. These alternatives won’t change the flavor too much but help keep your cupcakes tender.

How much matcha powder should I use for the best flavor?

The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, which strikes a nice balance between earthy taste and color intensity. Using less might yield a milder flavor, but more than this could turn the cupcakes bitter.

Can I make the frosting dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free cream cheese to achieve a similar creamy texture. Be aware the flavor will slightly differ but remain tasty.

What’s the best way to melt white chocolate without burning it?

Melting white chocolate over a double boiler on low heat is safest. Stir frequently and remove from heat as soon as it’s almost melted, allowing residual heat to finish melting the last bits, preventing scorching or hardening.

Final Thoughts

This Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe truly offers a little slice of joy and elegance in every bite. Its unique flavor combination and gorgeous green hues make it a standout treat that’s perfect for sharing—or savoring all by yourself. I encourage you to give this recipe a try; the process is straightforward and the result is absolutely worth every moment in the kitchen.

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Matcha Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need