Green Tea Cake Recipe | Spring Tea & Honey Sponge Cake
Tea is popular in this household. That’s an understatement. Tea is an obsession in this household. We have a very large drawer full of at least 30 kinds of tea, plus 5 or 6 tea-brewing devices and an electric tea kettle. We have a “tea station” where we make our daily selections, stocked with all of the fancy accoutrements. Honey, measuring spoons, mesh filters, towels and aerators are all present and accounted for. That’s why making this spring green tea cake with layers of honey sponge was such an event in this household.
I’m a black tea girl, preferring a loose leaf Earl Grey or Breakfast Blend with a little honey and milk. My husband drinks a whole pot or two of strong green tea a day. When I brought up the idea of a green tea cake recipe; he latched onto the idea and piped in with a few suggestions. The cake has an airy green tea mousse layered with honey-drenched sponge cake. The pale green color of this tea and honey cake almost screams spring. The flavors and textures are light; reminiscent of a tiramisu.
The bright, vibrant green color of matcha green tea is alluring and complex. This finely milled powder is the center of the Japanese tea ceremony. We all know it’s loaded with healthy stuff, but it can be a challenge to drink, which is why we had a perfectly good tin of matcha tea powder waiting to be made into dessert.
This is the first time I made a sponge cake and it was easier than I thought it would be. The batter mixed easily and the cakes came out of the oven perfectly. The mousse was a challenge for me, despite having made chocolate mousse many times in the past. The first recipe I used called for gelatin powder and all I had were sheets. The substitution didn’t work and I ended up trying to “fix” the mousse. In the end, I remade the mousse from scratch. Don’t you hate when that happens?
The first batch didn’t go to waste. I’ve been enjoying dollops of green tea cream on top of my Earl Grey. Aren’t I fancy?
The final cake was as beautiful as it was delicious. I decorated the top with lots of matcha tea. This may be a little too much tea for some. I recommend using just a little; applied with a stencil. You can also decorate the cake with pistachios, honey brittle or piped mousse as an alternative.
Green Tea & Honey Sponge Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup + 2 ½ tablespoons flour
- 7 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons warm water
- 2 cups (1 pint) cold whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons (plus more to taste) matcha green tea powder
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons boiling water
Method
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F/ 65 degrees C.
Coat 2 8" cake pans with butter or cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the sugar and continue to beat on high speed until the eggs increase in size by 4x and the color is pale yellow. When you lift the whisk, the mixture should fall in ribbons.
Combine 5 tablespoons of the honey with 2 tablespoons of warm water, reserving the rest. Quickly add to the egg mixture until just combined.
Working in batches, add the flour to the egg mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Do not over mix at this point.
Divide the batter between cake pans. Carefully tap the cake pans on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles. Bake for 30 minutes, then open the oven door and bake another 5 minutes. The texture of the cakes should be spongy.
Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the cake pans and cool completely.
Sprinkle gelatin powder over cold water into a bowl. Allow to soften for 1 minute. Add boiling water and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Allow to cool slightly.
In a mixing bowl, stir together sugar and green tea powder. Add whipping cream and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until cream is stiff and forming peaks. Add the gelatin mixture and beat until completely blended. Place into the refrigerator to cool completely; about 30 minutes.
Using a bread knife, carefully cut sponge cake layers in half. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon warm water. Arrange the bottom cake layer on a cake stand. Lightly Brush with honey mixture. Add a layer of mousse. Alternate each layer, brushing the sponge layers with more honey.
Notes
You can make the cakes ahead; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until assembly.
http://loveandduckfat.com/green-tea-cake-recipe-spring-tea-honey-sponge-cake/
Reference:
Adapted from Kasutera Japanese sponge cake by 12 tomatoes
Adapted from Chocolate Mousse from Hershey’s Kitchens
Wow, I would have never thought to use green tea as the main star for cake! Looks so pretty thigh, and Springy.
I’ve never had a cake with green tea and honey. My Mom would love this!
valmg @ From Val’s Kitchen recently posted…REVIEW – 250 Best Meals In A Mug #Cookbook – With #Recipes
This sounds awesome. I actually tried green tea cake at a Japanese restaurant last year and fell in love with it.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…April School Vacation Week at Blue Man Group (April 21 – 24)
I’ve never tried a green tea mousse…sounds and looks delicious!
Kayley | The Kitchen McCabe recently posted…Lemon Curd Mousse
Thank you Kayley. I’m hoping for a “Lady Grey” cake next 🙂
This cake looks really good! And I love that it looks like spring! I doubt mine will be as pretty, but I’m going to try making it!
This cake looks fantastic! It’s the perfect dessert for celebrating Spring!
Erica recently posted…Spring Into Spring With These Kids’ Crafty DIY Inspirations from Kiwi Crate #KidsCrafts
Your cake looks delicious and I would love to give it a try. I am not a big fan of green tea, but like you, love black tea. I do know this – I never met a cake I didn’t like. 🙂 It does have a pretty spring look!
Kristi recently posted…BrooklynPopcorn.com $20 Gift Card Giveaway 4/28
That looks amazing!! I am going to pin it because I want to try to make it. i doubt I will be able to make it look as good as you do, though!
Tiffany recently posted…Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker
I love cooking with green tea. This cake looks really good!
Pam recently posted…A Grumpy Cat Birthday Party & Giveaway
It’s a BEAUTIFUL cake!!
Tea is definitely popular with my family, as we don’t really like coffee, and my father used to live in England for several years 🙂
I’d looooooove to try this cake, but we don’t have here matcha green tea powder……
Winnie recently posted…טארט תותים ושוקולד – ללא אפייה וללא קמח
I have never had green tea cake, but I used to love green tea ice cream. So good. It has a flavor that I crave.
Terry recently posted…Fit As A Pro 5-10 Minute Workouts DVD With Lauren Sesselmann Review
Yummy but I admit I never thought to use green tea to make a cake. Interesting will have to try this.
becca recently posted…Haiku Monday 4-7-14
This looks and sounds so yummy! I love green tea, it’s so delicious!
Ashley B. recently posted…Life’s Little Surprises.
I don’t really like tea. But I think I might like a cake version!
I would have never thought to make a green tea and honey cake. It looks delicious and it sounds delicious too. Plus, the pretty green frosting is perfect for Spring.
I would never have thought of using tea in such a cake.. I wouldn’t be adverse to trying it though I have to say it sound nice 🙂 x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Find Me a Gift – Schnauzer Dog Slippers: Review
I’m not a fan of green tea, but that does sound quite delish!
Annie recently posted…Sharks Coolest Game Viewing Party
I’ve never tried desserts that contain green tea but I imagine that it is great to include its healthy properties in dessert too.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted…Support Kids Walk For Kids With Cancer! #KidsWalk #WalkWithUs @KidsWalkMSKCC
I have never heard of this kind of cake. Looks good!
Amber NElson recently posted…Beyonce’s #BeyGood Campaign Raises Over $116,000
I have never thought to use green tea for baking. That sounds like a slightly healthier cake and I love green tea so I might have to give this a try.
Jennifer Williams recently posted…Running 4 Jaxson – 4/7/13
I’m totally curious as to how this tastes now. It’s really so spring-y and pretty!
Liz Mays recently posted…The Bones of It #ViactivYoursAndHers
That looks like a perfect spring cake! Delicious!
Amanda recently posted…Top Daily Deals – Spring Scarves, T-Shirts, Easter Movies
Wow, I have never seen this type of cake before. It is certainly different and very pretty. Just beautiful and would look great on an Easter table.
Pam recently posted…Beneful Year Supply of Dog Food Giveaway
I bet this tastes so good. It’s a perfect spring cake!!
Toni recently posted…3 Dresses, 9 Different Looks With Spring Fashion From Kohl’s #SpringAtKohls
I am a terrible baker, but this cake looks so good I may have to give it a try.
erin recently posted…Good Tips Tuesday 1/27
That looks beautiful! My stomach never does well with any kind of green tea., but this is still such a pretty, springy cake!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…A Domestic Designer Profile
I want to try this cake! It looks so pretty too.
Tess recently posted…Do you know about Argan Oil?
I have a bag of matcha tea powder! Wonder if this would be good if I made them into cupcakes! You my dear blogger have inspired me lol
Marielle Altenor recently posted…Diy Tissue Garlands
You have my attention…this sound so good…and I love the colors, perfect for Spring….Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events…Tammy
This cake looks absolutely perfect for Spring! Thank you for linking up with us for Tasty Tuesday!
Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Get Your Copy of the Runner’s World Big Book of Running for Beginners!
if you look at my twitter I attempted a recipe close to this but you can tell it not brag worthy lol
amanda ripsam recently posted…Bellas Dental appointment. 3/31/2014
Thanks for this recipe. It looks healthy enough and super tasty!
Amanda McMahon recently posted…10 Tips to declutter and green your spring cleaning
YUMMM.. what an AWESOME recipe.. soo different, but I love it. Never thought of using green tea… soo clever. Loved the pictures, you did a great job; soo will try it soon and hope mine turns out half as good as yours…
What a creative idea for a cake! This would be perfect to serve on Easter. Thanks for sharing with Hump Day Happenings.
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted…Hump Day Happenings #5
This looks so beautiful and delicious! Thank you for sharing. Pinning!
Megan Walker recently posted…Hump Day Happenings Five: Easter
This looks just right for Spring and garden parties. Thanks for the recipe.
Rachee recently posted…About A Blog…Ay-chill-lees, knitting and Cake!
Is there a substitute I can use for the gelatin if I don’t have it at home?
I’m without a car today and wanted to try this. Sounds delicious!
Jen,
You really need the gelatin in this to keep it firm. You could try just egg yolks to thicken the mousse, but would have to alter the recipe quite a bit.
Another alternative is to use pistachio JELLO and decrease the sugar amount.
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