What is Matcha? 

Matcha Health Benefits

• It boosts your immune system
• It lowers cholesterol & blood sugar levels 
• It helps to improve your mood & reduces stress
• It is rich in nutrients, so it is good for gut health
• It helps to boost your metabolism 
• It contains lots of vitamins that your body needs!

Ingredients You Will Need!

• 1 cup plain flour
•  2 teaspoons baking powder
•  1/4 teaspoon baking soda
•  3 teaspoons matcha powder
•  1/4 cup coconut oil
•  2 tablespoons lemon juice
•  1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
•  7 tablespoons maple syrup
•  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  1 cup ground almonds

How To Make A Vegan Strawberry Matcha Cake

1. The first thing you'll need to do is preheat oven to 190C / 375F / Gas Mark 5
2. Put the coconut oil in a large bowl and gently heat over a saucepan of boiling water, using the double boiler method
3. When the coconut oil has melted, add the almond milk, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla & almonds. Mix this well
4. While the wet ingredients are on low heat, sieve in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and the matcha powder
5. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly. You should add a splash more almond milk to keep the mixture moist
6. Take two baking trays and line with baking paper. Add in the mixture to the trays
7. Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cake has risen. You can check by putting a skewer into the cake, it should remove cleanly and without breaking the cake
8. Immediately remove the cakes from the baking trays and place on a cooling rack, until it is cool to the touch

How To Decorate

• A delicious frosting (I used 180g icing sugar, 80g soft butter (or vegan alternative) and a splash on vanilla extract! You could also use a pre-made frosting)
• Sliced strawberries for the filling and topping

1. In a mixing bowl, beat 180g of icing sugar and 80g of butter until smooth and creamy
2. Add in the vanilla flavouring. I chose to add a few drops of vanilla extract, but you could add cocoa powder, almond extract or a flavour of your choice!
3. Spread half of the buttercream on the top of one of the sponges, and spread it out evenly
4. Sprinkle sliced strawberries over the buttercream and place the other sponge other the top
5. Spread the rest of the buttercream of the top of your layered cakes and spread evenly. You can choose to put the frosting around the sides or keep it on the top.
6. Use the remaining strawberries to decorate the top of the cake how you please!

Alternative Ideas