Green Tea Cupcakes with Honey Frosting
 
 
Yield: 20 cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
  • 2½ cups cake flour
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp matcha powder
  • 1 cup milk or half-and-half
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1½ tsp lemon extract
For the Frosting:
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup raw honey (I used raw because I think the taste is more pronounced, but any honey is fine)
Instructions
Make the Cupcakes:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 muffin pans with paper liners and set aside (note that this recipe makes about 20 cupcakes, so line your pans accordingly).
  2. Sift cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and matcha powder into a medium bowl. In a larger bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat milk, eggs, oil, and lemon extract on medium speed until completely incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until fully mixed, about 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among lined pans, filling about ⅔ full. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for five minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
  1. Fill a medium saucepan with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk egg whites and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Place bowl over saucepan, whisking constantly until sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is white and glossy (note: to completely pasteurize the egg whites, they must be heated to 140 degrees).
  2. Remove mixer bowl from heat. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until cooled and the egg whites hold stiff peaks, about 8 minutes. Switch to the paddle attachment and add the butter two tablespoons at a time. Beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3-5 minutes, or longer if necessary. Have a mild emotional breakdown when it appears your frosting has curdled and is ruined. Celebrate wildly when it comes back together. Beat your chest in victory. Add the honey and continue beating until incorporated.
  3. Frost cupcakes and dust with a light sprinkling of matcha powder. Enjoy with or without a steaming mug of freshly brewed green tea.
Recipe by Baked In at https://www.baked-in.com/2012/02/10/green-tea-cupcake/