3 Tasty, Healthy Green Tea Matcha Desserts to Try Out

If you haven't heard about the beauty and health benefits of green tea, you may have been living under a rock and we finally welcome you into 2020.

Loaded with antioxidants that help your skin glow, green tea is also touted to boost your metabolism helping you get fitter and back in shape!  

This is the year that has seen the rise of many home-chefs during the lockdown. If you too want to try whipping something healthy for your sugar-cravings, here's help. We spoke to Chef Ishijyot Surri, executive chef, SJI Hospitality and Foods about infusing the goodness of green tea into a delicious dessert. 

Mint Green Tea Cup Cake 

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
2 teaspoons matcha powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons matcha powder
3 ounces cream cheese softened
2 tablespoons butter softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Put mini muffin liners in a muffin tin.
In a bowl sift together flour, matcha powder, baking soda and salt.
In a different bowl beat together sugar, eggs, oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Add half of the dry mixture stirring just until incorporated then add half the sour cream, stirring lightly.
Add the rest of the dry mixture and then the sour cream, stirring until incorporated.
Fill mini muffin liners 2/3 of the way full.
Bake for 10-12 minutes (checking that a toothpick comes out clean). Leave in muffin tin for 10 minutes
and then remove.
Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting sift together confectioners’ sugar and matcha powder.
In a separate bowl beat together cream cheese, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and butter for 4-5 minutes.
On low speed slowly add the dry mixture then increase speed to medium and beat for another 4-5
minutes.
Frost using a piping bag.

Green Tea Cookies 

Ingredients

3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons green tea powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
 
Method

Whisk the flour, matcha, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and
fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and almond extract until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour
mixture until just incorporated. Turn out the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; shape into a disk.
Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat to 325 degrees F. 
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough until 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2- to 2-inch fluted round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter.
Reroll the scraps once and cut out more cookies.
Arrange about 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Sprinkle generously with coarse sugar.
Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are firm but not browned, 17 to 20 minutes.
Let cool completely on the baking sheets.

 Green Tea Oatmeal

Ingredients 
1 cup boiling water
1 green tea bag
1 cup milk of choice
1 cup oats
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup toppings (e.g. banana, dried fruit, chopped nuts, flaked coconut)

Method
Combine boiling water with the green tea bag in a saucepan and let them steep for 5 minutes together.
Add in milk, oats, and ground flaxseed meal and turn the heat on to medium and stir when the liquid
bubbles.
Cook for 5-6 minutes and then turn off the heat.
Add additional liquid (water, milk, or additional green tea) 
Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and then let the oatmeal settle for a minute.
Split the oatmeal into two bowls and top with your favourite toppings.