Matcha, also known as green tea, is a hit or miss flavor for many. Some simply do not enjoy it at all. Some may find it too grassy, a common complaint of strong matcha. Others find it quite pleasant. I enjoy weaker matcha flavor, typically when blended with dairy.

Back in late 2017, I began venturing away from American buttercream frosting and trying both Swiss and Italian meringue buttercreams. I came across a recipe for a honey-sweetened SMBC and had some matcha waiting to be baked with. I had to try a matcha roll cake.

Not only did both recipes turn out well, they worked together perfectly. The buttery flavor and smooth texture of the SMBC was a match with the rich matcha. Not only that, but I managed a pretty nice swirl with the cake. This is still one of my personal favorite bakes.

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Matcha Swiss Roll (from the Little Epicurean)

1 cup (112 g) cake flour
2 Tbsp (14 g) matcha powder
1 tsp baking powder
5 large eggs separated
3/4 cup (156g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 400°F. Like jelly roll pan with parchment. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together cake flour, matcha powder, and baking powder and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and milk until pale in color.

In another clean bowl, whip egg whites to medium-stiff peaks.

Add dry flour mixture to yolk mixture. Fold to combine. Add whipped egg whites in three additions. Gently fold to incorporate egg whites.

Pour batter into prepared baking sheet. Use offset spatula to spread batter into an even layer. Bake for 8-10 mins until cake springs back to touch. Remove from oven and run a mini offset spatula around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake.

Invert the cake onto a clean kitchen towel. Slowly and gently remove the parchment from the cake. Use the towel to roll the cake into a log. Let the cake rest on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

Once the cake is cooled, unroll the cake. Add generous amounts of filling. Use an offset spatula to spread filling to an even layer.

Use your hands and the towel to gently roll the cake back into a log. Place the seam at the bottom of the cake to prevent it from unraveling. Cover log with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins to allow the filling to set up. Slice a bit off of each end for a smooth presentation.

 

Honey Swiss Meringue Buttercream (from Wife Mama Foodie)

Makes 4 cups of SMBC

4 egg whites, room temperature
3/4 cups honey or maple syrup (or half of each)
1 3/4 cups butter, softened
3 tsp vanilla extract (I only needed 1 tsp for flavor)
Notes: Make sure your bowls are very clean. Do not get yolks in the egg whites.

Combine sweeteners (honey/syrup) and egg whites together in a heat-safe bowl (top part of a double-boiler). Place it over a pot of boiling water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Heat for 4-5 mins or until the thermometer reads 150-160°F, stirring often. If your mixture ends up lumpy, strain it before beating.

Use whisk attachment on a stand mixer and begin beating the egg mixture on high speed until it is thoroughly cooled, fluffy, and holds its shape well (beat to stiff peaks, can take 8-15 mins, mine took less time).

Switch to the paddles attachment and begin adding butter little by little (I sliced my butter and added 1 Tbsp at a time). The mixture can become curdled (it did), but it will come back together after you beat it for several minutes (it did). Turn the mixer to high speed and beat for several minutes to incorporate lots of air and make the buttercream fluffy. When it is nice and fluffy, mix in the vanilla. If your buttercream is warm, stick it in the fridge for 30-60 mins and then beat again for a few minutes. Use right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

*see original posted recipe for instructions on using arrowroot or cornstarch to lighten the SMBC