Description
A matcha chiffon cake is a delicate, fluffy sponge cake infused with finely ground Japanese green tea powder, known as matcha. Unlike standard butter-based cakes or traditional European genoise sponges, chiffon cakes occupy a unique category in the baking world. They rely on oil rather than solid butter for fat, and they gain their dramatic height and cloud-like crumb structure almost entirely from whipped egg white meringue rather than heavy chemical leaveners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cake
- 6 large eggs, separated
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, divided
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) cake flour
- 2 tbsp (12–15 g) matcha powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 325°F (165°C). Use an ungreased 10-inch tube/chiffon cake pan with a removable bottom.
- Mix dry ingredients: Sift together the cake flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Make the yolk batter: Whisk the egg yolks with 75 g (⅜ cup) sugar until smooth. Add milk, oil, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually whisk the sifted dry ingredients into the yolk mixture until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Whip the egg whites: Beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 75 g sugar, then continue beating until medium-stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Fold: Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the matcha batter. Fold in the remaining whites in two additions, using a gentle motion to preserve the air.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the ungreased tube pan. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly pressed and a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool upside down: Immediately turn the pan upside down and let the cake cool completely. This prevents the delicate cake from collapsing.
- Remove: Once completely cool, carefully run a thin knife around the edges and remove the cake from the pan.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~210 kcal
Keywords: Japanese matcha chiffon cake, Green tea chiffon cake