Green Tea Layer Cake

This is a light and moist cake that is not too sweet and has a refreshing green tea fragrance. The frosting uses cream cheese but has enough sweetness to mask the sour taste. The matcha (green tea) powder gives it a delicate green hue too. This cake can also be baked as a sheet cake in a 9x 13 inch pan or as 2 separate round cakes in two 8-inch round pans. Adjust baking time accordingly.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 449 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons milk
• 2 teaspoons powdered green tea
• 4 teaspoons powdered green tea

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 8-inch round pans. Sift together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt, and green tea powder; set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes before turning out of the pans.

Step 4

To make Green Tea Frosting: Sift together confectioners' sugar and green tea powder. In a medium bowl, combine tea mixture with butter, cream cheese, vanilla and milk. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

Step 5

To assemble the cakes: when the cakes are completely cooled, put one layer on a flat serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting over it. Place the other layer of cake on top, and spread frosting to cover the top and sides of cake. Dust with green tea powder if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.