Matchamisu = Matcha (Green Tea) Tiramisu
on Jun 20, 2013, Updated Jun 20, 2020
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What’s Matchamisu? It’s a matcha green tea tiramisu! This matcha tiramisu recipe is THE original and the best.
My baking guru, Queenie, came up with the name Matchamisu and the recipe. It’s utterly brilliant.
She took a classic Italian dessert, the tiramisu, and gave it a green tea spin by replacing espresspo with matcha green tea. Even better, they’re adorable since each one is a mini portion.
Layer upon layer of matcha! It’s super fluffy and rich with alternating layers of matcha cream and matcha sponge cake.
Beware, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may want to limit yourself to just one of these decadent tiny treats.
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What We Used to Make This Matchamisu Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- Matcha
The brighter green the matcha is, the better. Look to spend around $15 – $30 regardless of whether it says ceremonial grade or cooking grade. - Sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, confectioner’s sugar, rum, mascarpone cheese, and heavy cream.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
- Stand mixer
- 13″x18′ jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Small pan
- Whisk
- Dough scraper
- Mesh strainer
- Spatula
- Round cookie cutters
- Mini glass cups
- Stainless steel bowl and a saucepan
To make the matcha cream, we used this for as a double boiler.
Ok, let’s get started!
How to Make Matchamisu
Matcha Simple Syrup
Making the matcha syrup first by bringing water (3/4 cup) and sugar (1/2 cup) to a boil in a pan. Simmer for 3 minutes and remove from heat.
Let simple syrup cool, then sift in the matcha (1 tablespoon). Whisk well. This can be made up to a day before.
Matcha Sponge Cake
Turn oven on to 350°F. Lay parchment paper on a 13″x18″ sheet tray/jelly roll pan. If the parchment paper rolls up, put a little butter or oil under each corner.
Dust the parchment paper with confectioner’s sugar. Set aside.
Separate eggs (4). In a mixing bowl, whisk on low speed, then the egg whites for 1 minute. Turn up the speed to medium and slowly add the sugar (7 tablespoons).
After the sugar, turn speed to high. Mix until the stiff peaks form and the egg whites look shiny.
Add the egg yolks (4) and fold to mix.
Mix well.
RELATED: Step-by-Step Recipe: Matcha Mille Crepe Cake
Sift in matcha (1 1/2 tablespoon) and flour (3/4 cup) to the egg mixture and fold.
Pour the mixture onto the sheet tray and spread evenly using a dough scraper.
Dust confectioner’s sugar on top using a mesh strainer to get an even coat.
RELATED: Easy Matcha Milkshake
Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool then use a cookie cutter (we used the 3″) to cut out circles.
Matcha Cream
Bring a small pot of water to a simmer. Put the egg yolks (2), sugar (1 tablespoon), and rum (1 tablespoon) in a stainless steel bowl that will sit on top of the pot.
Continuously whisk all three ingredients together until it thickens to the ribbon stage (about 5 minutes). Cool for 5 minutes.
In another bowl, whip the heavy cream (1/2 cup) until soft peaks form.
Fold together the lightly whipped heavy cream and the egg mixture.
Sift in matcha (1 tablespoon) and mix well. Finally, fold in the mascarpone cheese (2/3 cup).
Assembling the Matchamisu
In a small glass (we used these mini cups), put in a cut piece of the sponge cake. (We cut a smaller piece of cake to fit the tapered bottom of the cup.)
Spoon on the matcha syrup over the sponge cake, making sure the sponge cake gets soaked with the syrup. Dollop the matcha cream on top.
Layer on another piece of sponge cake. Pour on matcha syrup to the top level sponge cake. Add the final layer of matcha cream and dust with matcha.
Matchamisu = Matcha (Green Tea) Tiramisu
Ingredients
Matcha Syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon matcha
Matcha Sponge Cake
- 4 eggs
- 7 tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tablespoons matcha
- Confectioner's sugar, for dusting
Matcha Cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 2/3 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon matcha, + more for dusting
Instructions
Matcha Syrup
- Make the matcha syrup first by bring water (3/4 cup) and sugar (1/2 cup) to a boil. Simmer for 3 minutes and remove from heat.
- Let cool, then sift in the matcha (1 tablespoon). Whisk well. (This can be made up to a day before.)
Matcha Sponge Cake
- Turn oven on to 350°F. Lay parchment paper on a 13″x18″ sheet tray. If the parchment paper rolls up, put a little butter or oil under each corner. Dust the parchment paper with confectioner’s sugar. Set aside.
- Separate eggs (4). In a mixing bowl, whisk on low speed, the egg whites for 1 minute. Turn up the speed to medium and slowly add the sugar (7 tablespoons).
- After adding the sugar, turn speed to high. Mix until the stiff peaks form and the egg whites look shiny. Add the egg yolks (4) and fold to mix. Sift in matcha (1/2 tablespoon) and flour (3/4 cup) to the egg mixture and fold to incorporate.
- Pour the mixture onto the sheet tray and spread evenly. Dust confectioner’s sugar on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Use a cookie cutter (we used the 3″) to cut out circles.
Matcha Cream
- Bring a small pot of water to a simmer. Put the egg yolks (2), sugar (1 tablespoon), and rum (1 tablespoon) in a stainless steel bowl that will sit on top of the pot.
- Continuously whisk all three ingredients together until it thickens to the “ribbon stage” (about 5 minutes). Cool for 5 minutes.
- In another bowl, whip the heavy cream (1/2 cup) until soft peaks form. Combine the lightly whipped heavy cream and the egg mixture. Fold together.
- Sift in the matcha (1 tablespoon) and mix well. Finally, fold in the mascarpone cheese (2/3 cup).
Assembling the Matchamisu
- In a small glass (we used mini cups), put in a cut out round piece of the sponge cake. (We cut a smaller piece of cake to fit the tapered bottom of the cup.)
- Spoon on the matcha syrup over the sponge cake, making sure the sponge cake gets soaked with the syrup. Dollop the matcha cream on top.
- Layer on another piece of sponge cake. Pour on matcha syrup to the top level sponge cake. Add the final layer of matcha cream and dust with matcha.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks for this! It was a lovely treat. A couple things– I would suggest that a first-timer should leave 60+ minutes to prep this, even if you’re very good at multi-tasking. Also, I read the suggestion about subbing vanilla syrup for the rum in the custard, and I think vanilla AND rum is actually the answer! The earthiness of the matcha benefits from the warmth of the vanilla– I put extract into the whipped cream, too. If I make this again, I would like it to taste a little boozier, as that is a mouth feel I enjoy with traditional tiramisu. I’ll probably add some creamy liqueur to the matcha syrup to raise the proof a bit. It’s all about personal taste, of course– the less-sweet original was enjoyed by all!
Hi! Can I keep this for a few hours or even a day before serving or is it only best when freshest?
Thanks!
Hi Lydia, you can keep it for a few hours or a day before.
I’ve made this 3x and figured after the third time, I’d leave a kudos! It’s delicious and my dad and I love it (my dad, the only person I make Matchamisu for)! Great job, will be using the recipe again for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Thank you!!
Hi Maggie, YAY!! So happy to hear!!
Thank you for the recipe. I have baked one and it was good! However, the matcha powder at top layer turned into a dark green shade in less than an hour which makes it not very presentable as a gift. Do you have any tip on how to overcome this? Thanks!
Hi Jolene, no way to avoid the green turning dark after a while. I would suggest packing the matcha separately for them to sprinkle on when they’re ready to eat.
I would try this recipe at my home ! This is so amazing article. These are all recipe looks amazing!
I would love to try this recipe! However, I’m a muslim so we can’t have alcohol, so would there be any way to substitute the rum?
Hi Maria, you can take out the rum and replace it with vanilla simple syrup. Combine and boil 1 part sugar to 1 part water until sugar is dissolved. Take off heat and add some vanilla.
Is it possible to turn this into a traditional tiramisu recipe? Unfortunately I ran out of matcha powder.
Hi Jillian, with regular tiramisu, you’ll need espresso powder to flavor it instead of the matcha but because this wasn’t made with espresso powder, I can’t say how much you’ll need for the recipe.
This recipe looks amazing! Will definitely like to give it a try.
Have you tried the Cold Brew Iced Green Tea?
Hi Vedika, yes, give it a try! And yup, I make cold brews of green, oolong, and black tea in the summer!