Monday, March 14, 2011

Matcha Cupcakes

Friend wanted to get a DSLR, so we went to the IT Show during the weekend. It was a crowd pushing frenzy. There were a few moments where the crowd literally got stuck in the human traffic where we couldn't even move an inch for a good 10 seconds or so. Thankfully the Canon booth was situated outside the show itself.

Photoshoot-loving friends were psycho-ing me to get a better camera too but I chickened out in the end haha. Think I'll pass for the time being. I don't even know how to fully maximise the capabilities of my current point-and-shoot camera, needless to handle a professional camera. Clicking a DSLR in auto mode is such a shame, and that's what's gonna happen if I own one.

So we went to the Barrage and the photographers played with their cameras.

Light painting!

Cool. I feel like a super hero now.

Made matcha cupcakes the next morning. I thought the green looks pretty mutant-ish as I didn't use the best quality matcha powder. But ahh well. Love the earthy green tea fragrance emitting from these little cakes. If you're a fan of green tea, you'll love these little bite sized darlings.

Matcha Cupcakes (modified from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook)
(makes 12 cupcakes)

Ingredients:

Matcha Cream Cheese Frosting:
300g icing sugar (Used 115g)
50g unsalted butter, room temperature (Used 40g)
1 1/2 tsp matcha powder
125g cream cheese, cold

Method:
1. Beat the icing sugar, butter and matcha powder in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.
2. Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 mins. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny.

Cupcakes:
110g all purpose flour
120g caster sugar
10g matcha powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter, room temperature
120ml whole milk
1 egg

Method:
1. Line a 12-tin cupcake tray with paper cases. Preheat the oven to 170°C.
2. Put the flour, sugar, matcha powder, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.
3. Pour in the milk and beat on medium speed until all the ingredients are well mixed (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula).
4. Add the egg and beat well for a few mins.
5. Spoon the cupcake mixture on top until 2/3 full and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins, or until light golden and the cake come out clean. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. When the cupcakes are cold, pipe the matcha cream cheese frosting on top and decorate as desired.

24 comments:

  1. same here. i'm also quite ignorant abt the functions of my camera, i just leave that to the 'smart ' mode to do the work for the'not-so-smart'me. Another beautiful cupcake from you, the matcha cream cheese sounds delish!

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  2. I use a DSLR and I have to admit I know nuts about it. I just use it on auto mode like a point and shoot. kekekeke.
    My hubby does all the button thingy for me cos the camera is his, not mine,I know nothing abt all the functions, but nowadays I seem to use it more than him.

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  3. DSLR is also definitely out for me for the time being haha i could hardly know how to function my nikon right now! haha! the color of the cupcakes are simply gorgeous! pray tell me what green tea powder are you using? i seem to be going around asking ppl the brand of their matcha powder whenever i see a matcha related post lol!

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  4. I love the beautiful green colour of your matcha cupcakes. Look simply adorable :).

    I don't know how to use my camera properly either and always use the 'automatic' mode, such a pity, I know...!

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  5. Lovely green tea cupcake you have there! I love photos taken by DSLR and always envy those who know how to use it well.

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  6. Beautiful cuppies. Love the brilliant green colour of it !

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  7. Love the green shades of the cake and icing. They go so well together!

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  8. Wow these are real gem. The colour stood out really well.

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  9. I love your little green cuppies! *drooling* ;)

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  10. I am also a camera-idiot... I think I will feel stressed owning or holding a DSLR camera... Hahaha...

    Nice little cupcakes!! :) Really beautiful!

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  11. lena: same here! relying on those 'smart' functions right now on my consumer camera

    wendy: at least ur husband has tuned the settings for you and it's not in raw auto format heh heh

    Jess: i use the baking green tea powder from PH, which I don't really recommend...you should try going to Isetan at Scotts, they have very good Japanese green tea powder

    Cooking Gallery: but your beautiful subjects make up for the lack of customization for your camera :P

    Wen: same here! it's a skill which I can only envy others for having :(

    Joyce, busygran, edith, cathy: thanks ladies! :D

    hanushi: yah i think part of the reason why im stressed is because of its 4-digit value :P

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  12. I am kinda loving the vibrant green in this! nothing mutant-ey at all. And i love how the cream cheese was so firm and pipe-able!

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  13. Jean,
    I love the greens! I'm a "green" person. Looks so nice and pretty. I must try this matcha cupcake. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Heard about this Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook before. Now, looking at your cupcakes, I think I should get a copy of this book. These cupcakes are bright in green...just in time for the coming St Patrick Day celebration :D

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  15. hi again, i've passed you an award, pick it up from my blog when you have time. Well deserved!

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  16. I love all your matcha recipes. Such a great ingredient to use. On time for St-Patrick too.

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  17. the texture of the cupcake looks beautiful! that little twirl of icing on the top is cute too :)
    i struggled when i switched to slr...and had it on auto mode initially before being 'brave' enough to start learning other functionalities! i gotta say i miss the portability of a p&s tho!

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  18. If your camera is not DSLR, I have to say your pictures are amazing. And in these days a high end point and shoot is better than a low end DSLR. A person behind the camera is more important for good pictures.
    Your matcha cup cakes are real beauty.

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  19. Nice green colour on the cupcakes!! and the light painting pictures are so cool!

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  20. I just wanted to say thank you for this recipe, I made them yesterday and they were really delicious! But I didn't get the radioactive color :)

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  21. I am definitely a believer of green tea magic, and these cupcakes look awesome! I can’t wait to make them myself!

    regrads,
    irene of Bear Hunting Alaska

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