Velvet Matcha & Azuki Delight
Indulge in the exquisite harmony of flavors and textures with our Velvet Matcha & Azuki Delight. This delightful dessert showcases layers of moist matcha-infused cake enveloped in a light, fluffy red bean whipped cream frosting that delivers a delightful contrast of sweetness and earthiness. Topped with a velvety dark chocolate ganache, this cake is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Perfect for special occasions or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe highlights the beauty of traditional Asian ingredients, inviting you to share a slice of this culinary artistry with family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
2 3/4 cups (Sifted)
Baking powder
3/4 teaspoon (Combined with dry ingredients)
Salt
1 pinch (Combined with dry ingredients)
Matcha green tea powder
3 1/2 tablespoons (Combined with dry ingredients)
Butter
1 cup (Softened)
Granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups (To cream with butter)
Eggs
4 (Beaten)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (Added with eggs)
Milk
1 cup (Added to batter)
Heavy cream for frosting
2 cups (Whipped until soft peaks)
Powdered sugar
1/4 cup (Added to whipped cream)
Red bean paste
1 cup (Folded into whipped cream)
Dark chocolate chips
1 cup (Melted for ganache)
Heavy cream for ganache
1 cup (Heated until steaming)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding the vanilla extract after the last egg, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
3
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and matcha green tea powder. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Tap the pans gently on the countertop to release any air bubbles. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6
For the frosting, whip the heavy cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to whisk until slightly stiff. Gently fold in the red bean paste, creating swirls of color without fully blending.
7
To make the ganache, heat the remaining heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until it begins to steam. Pour the hot cream over the dark chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl, and stir until smooth and glossy.
8
Once the cakes are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to level the tops if needed. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of the red bean whipped cream on top. Place the second layer of cake gently on top of the frosted layer, ensuring it is aligned evenly.
9
Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting slightly. Once chilled, place the cake on a wire rack over a sheet pan to catch any drips.
10
Pour the ganache over the top of the chilled cake, allowing it to flow down the sides for a beautiful finish. Use an offset spatula to smooth out the ganache if desired.
11
Chill the decorated cake for about 10 minutes to set the ganache before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh berries or decorative elements as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Velvet Matcha & Azuki Delight?
It is a layered dessert featuring matcha-infused cake, red bean (azuki) whipped cream frosting, and a dark chocolate ganache topping.
What are the primary flavors of this cake?
The cake combines the earthy notes of matcha green tea with the sweetness of red bean paste and the richness of dark chocolate.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size cake pans are required?
The recipe requires two 8-inch round cake pans.
How should the cake pans be prepared?
Grease the pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar?
Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How many eggs are used in the batter?
The recipe calls for 4 eggs, added one at a time.
Which dry ingredients need to be sifted together?
Sift together 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of salt, and 3 1/2 tablespoons of matcha green tea powder.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients and milk into the batter?
Gradually add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the cakes for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the cakes cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack.
What ingredients are in the red bean frosting?
The frosting is made from 2 cups of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 cup of red bean paste.
How do I achieve the swirled effect in the frosting?
Gently fold the red bean paste into the whipped cream to create swirls of color without fully blending it.
How is the dark chocolate ganache made?
Heat 1 cup of heavy cream until steaming, pour it over 1 cup of dark chocolate chips, and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Do I need to level the cake layers?
Yes, once the cakes are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to level the tops if needed before assembly.
Should the cake be chilled after frosting?
Yes, refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting slightly before applying the ganache.
How should the ganache be applied?
Pour the ganache over the top of the chilled cake, allowing it to flow down the sides, and smooth it with an offset spatula if desired.
How long does the ganache take to set?
Chill the decorated cake for about 10 minutes to set the ganache before serving.
What garnishes are suggested for this cake?
Optionally, you can garnish the cake with fresh berries or other decorative elements.
How many ingredients total are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total.
What type of milk is used in the batter?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of milk to be added to the batter.
How much matcha powder is required?
The recipe uses 3 1/2 tablespoons of matcha green tea powder.
What kind of sugar is used in the cake batter?
1 1/3 cups of granulated sugar are used to cream with the butter.
Is the butter used cold or softened?
The butter should be softened to room temperature for proper creaming.
Can I use any type of chocolate for the ganache?
The recipe specifically recommends 1 cup of dark chocolate chips for the best flavor contrast.
Why do I tap the cake pans on the countertop before baking?
Tapping the pans helps release any air bubbles trapped in the batter.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
What is the texture of the frosting?
The frosting is light and fluffy, providing a contrast to the moist matcha cake.
What type of red bean paste should be used?
While any red bean paste works, the recipe focuses on folding in 1 cup to create a marbled effect.
Is this cake suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is described as a celebration cake and a feast for the eyes, perfect for special occasions.