How to Make Matcha Buttercream Frosting You’ll Want to Eat by the Spoonful
If you love matcha, why stop at the cupcakes?
A swirl of matcha frosting is a lovely way to bring even more of that earthy green tea flavor to your baking.
Whether you’re frosting a batch of matcha cupcakes or adding something different to a vanilla cake, this matcha buttercream brings a pretty green finish without adding food coloring.
Today I am going to be sharing with you my favorite Matcha frosting recipe!
This one is so easy and yummy! I love making them for my family and more specifically I make these Matcha Cupcakes for my husband!
I just made this last batch for my husbands birthday since I know how much he loves his matcha tea in the afternoons. I wanted him to feel like I do still notice all the little things, even after 16 years of being together!
Matcha cupcakes are fabulous in that they feel like a more sophisticated cupcake. You could also say that they are a cupcake for "grownups" if you know what I mean.
They are refined and yet still feel totally playful. To say the least, they are absolutely charming and make a good birthday batch of cupcakes!
I do tend to focus more of the Matcha being in the frosting of the cupcakes. Of course, I still like to use the Matcha within the cupcakes themselves, but I don’t use it enough to fully turn the cupcakes green.
I like adding just enough matcha to add the rich earthiness, without overwhelming the cupcake flavors. If you want me to share a recipe on a fully green matcha cupcake, please let me know!
Story Time
I like to make these cupcakes topped with this matcha frosting for my husband‘s birthdays since he absolutely loves Matcha!
To add a fun twist, instead of using a regular birthday candle, I put a sparkler candle into one of the cupcakes to sing happy birthday to! It was so much fun!
We loved seeing the sparkler go crazy all over the matcha cupcakes as we sang happy birthday! It was so much fun and so memorable!
Lets dive in!
Matcha Frosting Recipe
Matcha Frosting Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened at room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons matcha powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt, or less to taste
- Heavy whipping cream, as needed. A suggested starting amount is 1 tablespoon, adding more only as needed to adjust the consistency.
How To Make Matcha Frosting
1. Soften the butter
Let the butter soften at room temperature until it gives slightly when you press it with your finger. It should still hold its shape rather than look melted or oily.
Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
2. Beat the butter until creamy
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed for 2–3 minutes, until smooth and slightly lighter in color.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl so there are no unmixed pieces of butter hiding underneath.
3. Sift the powdered sugar and matcha
Sift the powdered sugar and matcha powder together into a separate bowl. This helps break up small clumps before they go into the frosting.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and whipping cream 1 spoon at a time
With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar and matcha mixture to the butter in a few additions. then add a tablespoon of heavy cream at a time to create the right consistency.
Mix until each addition is incorporated before adding more. Scrape down the bowl as needed, then increase to medium speed and beat until evenly combined. The mixture may be fairly thick at this stage.
5. Add the vanilla and salt
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and your preferred amount of sea salt, following the salt note above.
Mix until incorporated. Taste a small amount before adding any additional salt.
6. Adjust the consistency with cream as needed
If the frosting is thick, add 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream and beat on medium speed for 1–2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
If it still feels too stiff, add more cream 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing after each addition.
You’re looking for frosting that spreads easily but still holds its shape, especially if you plan to pipe it onto cupcakes.
Add the cream gradually. It’s easier to loosen thick frosting than to firm up frosting that has become too runny.
7. Frost completely cooled cupcakes
Once your cupcakes are completely cool, spread the matcha frosting over the tops with a small spatula or spoon it into a piping bag.
For a simple finish, make a gentle swirl with the back of a spoon. For a more decorative look, pipe a generous swirl onto each cupcake.
Getting the Texture Just Right
If the frosting is too thick: Add heavy whipping cream a teaspoon at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
If the frosting is too soft: If the butter has become very warm, briefly refrigerate the frosting, then mix again and check the texture. If it still needs more body, beat in additional sifted powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. Keep in mind that this will also make it sweeter.
How To Make Green Frosting Without Food Coloring
The secret to this pretty green frosting? Matcha powder!
It gives your homemade buttercream a naturally green color while adding that earthy green tea flavor matcha lovers enjoy.
Simply sift it with your powdered sugar before mixing it into the buttercream to help prevent clumps.
Add it gradually to adjust the shade, keeping in mind that more matcha means a stronger tea flavor, too!
The Finishing Touch
Pair this frosting with your matcha cupcakes for a green tea-inspired treat, or spread it over vanilla cupcakes to let the matcha take the spotlight. A simple swirl is all you need for a pretty finishing touch!
Written by Caroline Flowers
