Mini Matcha Smash Birthday Cake (Printable)

Light, airy mini matcha cake layered with vanilla frosting—brunch-ready and made for playful smashing.

# What you'll need:

→ For the Matcha Cake

01 - 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/8 tsp baking soda
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 1 tbsp matcha powder (culinary grade)
07 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) whole milk, room temperature
08 - 1 large egg, room temperature
09 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
10 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ For the Vanilla Frosting

11 - 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
12 - 3/4 cup (90 g) powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1 tbsp milk
14 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Toppings

16 - Sprinkles or fresh berries, for decoration

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 4-inch (10 cm) round cake pans.
02 - In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha powder.
03 - In another bowl, whisk together milk, egg, oil, and vanilla extract.
04 - Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops.
06 - Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Let cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - For the frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
09 - Spread frosting between the layers, stack, and cover the outside with a thin layer of frosting. Decorate with sprinkles or berries as desired.
10 - Serve as a fun brunch treat—perfect for smashing or enjoying by the slice!

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cake's small size is perfect for spontaneous celebrations or when you want a showstopper without leftovers.
  • The vivid matcha color and delicate flavor make it delightfully different from an ordinary birthday cake.
02 -
  • Once, I overmixed the batter and ended up with a dense, rubbery cake—lessons learned: gentle folding is essential.
  • Sifting the matcha with other dry ingredients is the secret to a vibrant, lump-free hue.
03 -
  • Bringing both the milk and egg to room temperature guarantees a smoother, more even crumb.
  • The key to a vibrant green color is fresh, high-quality matcha—don't cut corners on the powder.
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