St. Patrick’s Day Green Matcha Cupcakes

Name: St. Patrick’s Day Green Matcha Cupcakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190 g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (115 g, softened); ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 g); 2 eggs (large); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup buttermilk (120 ml); ¼ cup milk (60 ml); Green food coloring (gel recommended); 1 tsp matcha powder (Optional); ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 g, softened); 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tbsp heavy cream ( or milk); Pinch salt; Optional: chocolate shavings or sprinkles

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Green, soft, and fun to make, St. Patrick's Day Green Matcha Cupcakes are perfect when you want a festive treat without spending hours in the kitchen. These cupcakes are fluffy, lightly sweet, and topped with creamy vanilla frosting, making them great for March celebrations, classroom snacks, or holiday parties. You can use matcha for a natural green color or food coloring if you like.

If you prefer a fancier dessert for St. Patrick's Day, try my St. Patrick's Day Green Jello Parfaits!

Delicious green velvet cupcakes with white frosting and chocolate sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Brightly lit image showing eggs, flour, and butter for baking.

Cupcakes:

All-purpose flour gives structure to the cupcakes
Baking powder and baking soda help them rise and stay fluffy
Salt balances the sweetness
Unsalted butter adds richness and moisture
Sugar for sweetness
Eggs bind everything together
Vanilla extract adds flavor
Buttermilk and milk keep the cupcakes tender
Green food coloring for a festive look
Matcha powder (optional) natural green color and subtle flavor

Frosting:

Unsalted butter creamy base
Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting
Heavy cream or milk smooths out the frosting
Salt balances the sweetness
Optional toppings chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or any festive decorations

How to Make Green Matcha Cupcakes

A mixing bowl with batter and a small bowl of flour on a grey surface. Perfect for baking recipes.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

A mixing bowl with eggs and melted butter, and a separate bowl of flour on a light countertop.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Mixing bowl with cake batter and green food coloring on a gray countertop.

Gently mix in the dry ingredients and the buttermilk/milk mixture, alternating between them. Stop mixing once the batter is smooth.

Batter with black ink drops in a stainless steel mixing bowl for cooking or baking.

Stir in the green food coloring and matcha powder (if using) until the cupcakes have an even green color.

Bright green ice cubes in a white tray for drinks or parties, set on a simple gray surface.

Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.

Bright green cupcake toppers with white frosting, perfect for St. Patrick's Day treats.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.

Aerial view of mixing bowls with sugar, flour, melted butter, chocolate sprinkles, and milk on a gray surface.

For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla, salt, and cream until light and fluffy.

Delicious green cupcakes topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and colorful frosting on a textured gray surface.

Pipe or spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or any festive toppings you like.

Rich green velvet cupcakes topped with swirls of white frosting and chocolate sprinkles, perfect for celebrations.

Serve and enjoy!

Hint: To make the frosting easier to pipe, chill it for 10 minutes before using.

Substitutions & Variations

Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.
Dairy-free: Substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
Extra flavor: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the batter.
Fun toppings: Crushed cookies, edible glitter, or colorful sprinkles make them even more festive.

💭Crucial Success Tips

Make sure not to overmix the batter once you add the flour. Overmixing can make the cupcakes dense. Also, let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Use room-temperature butter for the frosting so it whips smoothly.

FAQ

Can I skip matcha?

Absolutely. Use green food coloring alone for a fun, festive look.

Can I use only food coloring instead of matcha?

Definitely! Green food coloring works fine if you don't want the matcha flavor.

Can I make the frosting dairy-free?

Yes! Use a plant-based butter and milk alternative instead.

Printable Recipe

📖 Recipe

Delicious cupcakes topped with white frosting and chocolate sprinkles, served on a white plate.

Tina

St. Patrick's Day Green Matcha Cupcakes

Soft, festive, and fun to make, St. Patrick's Day Green Matcha Cupcakes are the perfect treat when you want something cheerful without spending all day in the kitchen. Use matcha for a natural green color or food coloring if you prefer, then top them with creamy vanilla frosting for a dessert that's simple, delicious, and perfect for sharing. Grab your ingredients and whip up a batch today, you'll love how easy and playful these cupcakes are!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 190 g
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter 115 g, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar 150 g
2 eggs large
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk 120 ml
¼ cup milk 60 ml
Green food coloring gel recommended
1 teaspoon matcha powder Optional

For the frosting

¾ cup unsalted butter 170 g, softened
2 cups powdered sugar 240 g
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
Pinch salt
Optional: chocolate shavings or sprinkles

Method

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Gently mix in the dry ingredients and the buttermilk/milk mixture, alternating between them. Stop mixing once the batter is smooth.
Stir in the green food coloring and matcha powder (if using) until the cupcakes have an even green color.
Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla, salt, and cream until light and fluffy.
Pipe or spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or any festive toppings you like.
Serve and enjoy!

How to Store Green Matcha Cupcakes

Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Frosted cupcakes are best eaten the same day but can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days.