Green Tea Layer Cake

I tried out this green tea cake recipe for Chinese New Year. I had some black and pink icing so I was able to decorate the cake with a cherry blossom tree, and tried to write "Happy New Year" in Chinese.

My modifications. I baked this in two 8-inch round pans. For the cake, used 5.5 teaspoons of green tea powder instead of 4 teaspoons. For the frosting, using 8 oz cream cheese with 5.5 teaspoons of green tea powder. My cakes were finished a little earlier- 20-25 minutes rather than the suggested 30-40 minutes. Saw in another baker's post that you can use this recipe for cupcakes too, but bake for 15 min. Might try that another time!

One tip- it's better to use good quality green tea powder. there's better flavor. However, if you run out, you can use regular green tea bags and grind it up in a coffee bean grinder to make a green tea powder.

Green Tea Layer Cake (~from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons powdered green tea
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons powdered green tea
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - 9 inch round pans. Sift together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt, and green tea powder; set aside.
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.
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.
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.
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.