This frosting hits that balance most people miss—tangy, lightly sweet, and just enough earthy matcha to stand up to rich cakes. It’s smooth, pipeable, and not cloying, which means it actually complements what you’re putting it on.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese (full-fat, softened)
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Powdered sugar (sifted to avoid lumps)
- Matcha green tea powder (use culinary or ceremonial grade for best color and flavor)
- Vanilla extract
Equipment
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowl
- Fine mesh sieve (for sugar and matcha)
- Spatula
- Piping bag + tip (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chill (optional but recommended)
Refrigerate for about 30–60 minutes if piping. It firms up and holds shape better.
Soften
Let cream cheese and butter come fully to room temperature—this prevents lumps.
Cream
Beat butter and cream cheese together until completely smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Start building flavor
Add half the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon matcha, and vanilla. Beat until combined.
Finish the frosting
Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar until you reach your preferred sweetness and thickness.
Adjust matcha
Add more matcha in small amounts until you hit the flavor you want—start subtle, build slowly.
Tips for Success
- Sift both powdered sugar and matcha—matcha clumps fast.
- Use room temp ingredients or you’ll fight lumps the whole time.
- Don’t dump all the sugar in at once—control the texture as you go.
- Taste as you build—matcha can go from balanced to bitter quickly.
- Chill before piping for clean definition.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap vanilla for almond extract for a slightly nutty edge.
- Add a pinch of salt to sharpen flavors and cut sweetness.
- Use less sugar for a tangier, less sweet frosting (great on rich cakes).
- Fold in whipped cream for a lighter, mousse-like texture (serve immediately).
- Love matcha desserts? Take it further with a full matcha cheesecake—same earthy flavor, just richer and more indulgent.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store in the fridge up to 5 days.
- Bring to room temp and re-whip before using.
- Can be made 1–2 days ahead—flavor actually improves slightly as it sits.
Serving Suggestions
- Spread over chocolate cupcakes or layer cakes—the bitterness of matcha plays well with deep chocolate.
- Use on vanilla or almond cakes for a lighter pairing.
- Try it on sandwich cookies or as a filling for macarons.
Pro Tips
- Matcha quality matters more than you think—cheap matcha turns dull and bitter fast.
- If your frosting looks too loose, chill it. If it’s too stiff, add a splash of cream and re-whip.
- This frosting should be smooth and spreadable, not stiff like buttercream.
Matcha Cream Cheese Frosting
AmericanEquipment
- Equipment
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- fine mesh sieve
- Spatula
- Piping bag + tip (optional)
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese - softened
- 4 tbsp ½ stick unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar - sifted
- 2 tbsp matcha green tea powder - sifted
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add base flavor
- Add half the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon matcha, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- Finish frosting
- Gradually add remaining powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and desired sweetness is reached.
- Adjust matcha
- Add additional matcha in small amounts until you reach your preferred flavor strength.
- Chill (optional)
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes if piping to help the frosting hold its shape.
Notes
- Sift matcha and powdered sugar to prevent lumps.
Start with less matcha and build—too much can turn bitter. - If frosting is too soft, chill and re-whip. If too stiff, add a splash of cream.
- Best used slightly chilled for clean piping results.
- I used a basic chocolate cupcake from Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes because I really didn’t know what would go with matcha.
- I refrigerated my icing for about an hour to get a better flow when I was decorating the cupcakes. I used the Giant Star Pastry tip from Bake it Pretty.
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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FAQs
Culinary grade works fine, but higher-quality matcha gives better color and a cleaner flavor.
Your butter or cream cheese was too warm, or you added too much sugar too fast. Chill and re-whip.
Yes—reduce powdered sugar slightly and lean into the tang of the cream cheese.
It’s mild if balanced properly. Add gradually so it doesn’t overpower.
Yes—just chill it first so it holds shape.
Whoa, awesome. I was going to comment about how much i LOVE matcha and then saw myself referenced as a source. Nice! 🙂
I hope I win! I love their necklaces. Those are the pieces I would wear the most.
I already subscribe to your rss read!
Already follow your twitter.
How cute are those cupcakes! You did an incredible job with the piping, it’s perfect.
I went to the site and oh my goodness I love everything. 🙂 I like the rainbow clouds necklace the best!
Follow you on twitter! 🙂
I like you on facebook!
The cupcakes are gorgeous, love the green color and your icing is so pretty! Her designs are so cute, I love the grumpy black sheep charm, too funny!
WOW on these cupcakes. I wish I had my favorite macha powder right now. I have a wicked sweet tooth today!
How CUTE are those? I think the Happy Panda adjustable acrylic ring is my fave on the Tasty Peach site.
I already follow you on Facebook, Twitter and RSS. 🙂
By the way I am now a follower of Tasty Peach on Facebook, I am set up to receive your emails and I re-tweeted your giveaway…although that may not help my chances. 🙂
Those cupcakes are calling my name.
Your cupcakes are just too cute! I love the matcha green icing… it’s such a springy colour (which I desperately need right now because it’s bloody cold and wintery outside).
PS – It’s totally normal to miss your kitties when you go away. Heck, I miss mine even when I’m at work, even though that’s just 8 hours. So there. 🙂
PS – I’m now following you on Twitter!
PPS – I retweeted your giveaway post. 🙂
Kita, your cupcakes are godgeous! Awesome photos!
I already follow you on Twitter and RSS and Facebook. 🙂
Ok, I’m gonna have to give Matcha a try. #1 it’s such a fun color, and #2 you make it look so yummy!!
Your cupcakes are super cute and I love the background in your photos.
I follow you on FB.
colourful and looks delicious
I am following you on Twitter.
I love love LOVE the Cute Black Sheep Tee!!
wizardnita@gmail.com
I follow Pass the Sushi on FB
wizardnita@gmail.com
I follow Tasty Peach Studios on FB
wizardnita@gmail.com
I joined the email subscription
wizardnita@gmail.com
I follow you on Twitter (@aznlily95)
wizardnita@gmail.com
Matcha and chocolate sounds well, AMAZING! I wish I had one of these cupcakes right now! 😀
Awww, I LOVE the Kawaii Cute Blue Bear Chocolate Cupcake Acrylic Necklace!
Cute! The green of the matcha cream cheese frosting is so pretty! I am drooling at the picture right now.. HAHA
Anyways, i WANT the cupcake necklace! too adorable!( :
These cupcakes are lovely! I love that you used matcha to give these a unique flavor boost. 🙂
The frosting makes them look so nice 🙂 I like that color and how elegant it’s sitting on the cupcakes 🙂
Love those photos! The matcha looks amazing!
How cute! I love the Macaw charm – so colorful! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m in love with the background in your images! The cupcakes look pretty delicious as well! Safe travels!
ooooo Matcha! I gotta ask, where do you buy yours? I’m having a hard time finding it locally for a reasonable price.
I now Follow your site and Tasty Peach on Facebook and my favorite piece is Cute Red Ramen Kitty Tee, soooo cute!
Sadly, I wish I had a better answer for you, but a friend of mine works in NYC and sent it to me. 🙁 There are some small local Asian markets that may carry them around here so if you have one of those in your area that’s where I would try.
I love all things green tea! i would want the Chocolate Layer Cake Acrylic Charm
The black sheep tee is adorable. 🙂
Awesome cupcakes! The matcha makes a wonderful frosting flavor. The color tickles me too. 😉
That is soooo cute! and gorgeous! Love the green and purple combi 😀
These cupcakes are definitely too cute! Love that bright green frosting!
I think that necklace is the cutest little thing!
I think the gentleman friend should absolutely get Kita that tote bag. Think of all the delicious food and baked goods you’d get in return! These cupcakes look incredibly delicious and I would definitely love to try one or two or 10. I am following Pass the Sushi on twitter and tweeted about the giveaway. I’ve also subscribed to the RSS feed and have an email subscription. I’m also following both Pass the Sushi and Tasty Peach on facebook.
P.S. Amazing photography!! Love the composition and vibrant colors in all your photography. Who would have thought food could be so photogenic?
Estefania, if I were the random generator for this you’d win hands down!
I follow you on Facebook and Twitter and I’m following tasty peach now, too. I would have to say my favorite items are the Cute Red Bento Octopus ring and the Cute Red Mushroom items. Those mushrooms are the only ones I like.
i love all the rings! especially the food-themed ones
OMG I’m in love with those cupcakes 🙂 now I really need to get some matcha… yum!
hi Kita
those are gorgeous cupcakes!! I would love a box of those as a giveaway!!
Cheers
Dennis
Hi, I truly admire your work! The recipes are fantastic and the photos are spot on… I present you with a STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD! Please take this link to my post for details. https://bit.ly/i5cUlV Best, Brooks
Cute giveaway! I didn’t know this shop but until now I think it will be one of my favourite! ♥ Thanks for this giveaway though~
1/ I’m in love with penguins, I created a collection actually. So I must choose this necklace: https://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2704815
2/ I follow Pass The Sushi on FB (Justine Pocket)
3/ I follow Tasty Peach Studios on FB (Justine Pocket)
4/ I joined this email subscription (Justine Leforestier)
5/ I follow pass the sushi on Twitter (kawaii_desu_ne)
6/ I twitted about this giveaway > https://twitter.com/Kawaii_desu_ne/status/36905283204681728
(your cupcakes seems really yummy by the way. I’m going to keep this lovely recipe ♥)
Follow you on Facebook, and an e-mail subscriber, passthesushi is my secret guilty pleasure. The ring would be my favorite, think my girlfriend would like that one the best.
I love Matcha! Love to see what people do with it. I also really dig acrylic necklaces and would love one with a cute cupcake on it! Following you on Twitter now. We have a tea business and we offer cooking grade matcha if anyone is looking for it to make some of these cupcakes, just click on my name.
Hello
We are very impressed by your matcha cupcakes. We would potentially like to use your image and recipe on our website http://www.koyumatcha.com
Is this something that you would be interested in ? Is there something you would want from us in return ? Please let me know your thoughts
Regards