Matcha Tres Leches Cake🍵🧁💚
INGREDIENTS
Matcha Cake
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 3 Tbsp Aiya Culinary Grade Matcha
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup milk
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup (128g) all purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• (Optional) a few drops of green food coloring
Milk Syrup
• 1½ cups evaporated milk
• ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
Whipped Cream
• 1½ cup heavy cream
• 1½ Tbsp sugar
• (Optional) strawberries or fruit for decoration
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the pan that you’re using.
2. First, let’s make the cake. Separate the egg whites and the egg yolks. Add the egg whites into a bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on high speed until bubbles form. Then, add ¼ cup sugar. Mix on high speed again until the egg whites have stiff peaks. Scoop out the fluffy egg whites into a separate bowl and set aside.
3. In the bowl of stand mixer (after you removed the egg whites), add the egg yolks and ¾ cup sugar. Mix on high speed until the color changes to a pale yellow. Add the Matcha powder, vanilla extract, milk, salt and green food coloring if you’re using it. Mix again until evenly combined.
4. Then, add flour and baking powder. Use a silicon spatula and fold the mixture until evenly combined.
5. Add ½ of the beaten egg whites to the egg yolk and Matcha mixture. Fold until everything is evenly combined. Add that mixture back to the rest of the beaten egg whites and fold until everything is combined.
6. Add the cake batter to the pans and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out cleanly. Take the cake out of the oven and cool to room temperature.
7. Now, let’s make the milk syrup. In a bowl, add evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. Mix until evenly combined.
8. Once the cake is completely cool, poke holes all over the cake, so the milk syrup can seep in. Pour the milk syrup all over the cake. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot because the cake will absorb it. Cover with cling wrap and place in the refrigerator.
9. Now, let’s make the whipped cream. In a bowl of a stand mixer, add heavy cream and sugar. Mix on high speed until fluffy.
10. Spread whipped cream on top of the cake and garnish with any fruit. I usually then refrigerate the cake overnight to let the milk syrup soak through, but that’s up to you. Enjoy!
Matcha Tres Leches Cake is a creative fusion of two beloved desserts: the traditional Latin American tres leches cake and the earthy, vibrant Japanese matcha flavor. The hallmark of a tres leches cake is its ultra-moist texture, achieved through soaking a light sponge cake in a rich milk syrup made from evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. By incorporating matcha powder, this recipe adds a unique twist with a subtle bitterness and appealing green hue. When preparing this cake, it's essential to use a high-quality culinary grade matcha powder like Aiya Culinary Grade Matcha, which ensures a bright color and authentic taste without overpowering the delicate flavor profile. The cake batter benefits from careful folding of whipped egg whites to maintain airiness, resulting in a tender crumb that absorbs the milk syrup effectively. In addition to the classic milk syrup, combining three types of milk gives the tres leches cake its signature creamy and sweet texture. The syrup should be thoroughly absorbed to maintain moistness while balancing sweetness. Poking holes all over the cooled cake facilitates this process, distributing the syrup evenly. Topping the cake with freshly whipped cream incorporates a light and fluffy contrast, which complements the dense, moist cake layers. Garnishing with strawberries or seasonal fruits not only adds visual appeal but also provides a fresh burst of flavor that brightens the cake. For best results, refrigerate the cake overnight after adding the milk syrup to allow full absorption and flavor melding. This resting time lets the cake develop incredible moistness and the nuanced matcha flavor to infuse throughout. This Matcha Tres Leches Cake is perfect for those looking to explore novel flavors or impress guests with a unique dessert that marries cultural influences. Its blend of sweetness, creaminess, and subtle green tea notes makes it an exceptional treat for celebrations or everyday indulgence. By understanding the ingredients and techniques outlined in the recipe, anyone can recreate this delightful cake at home with consistent and satisfying results.