Easy 2-Ingredient Matcha Butter Recipe: Elevate Your Baking & Spreads
Step aside, plain old butter! There’s a whole world of culinary delight waiting to be explored with the addition of the vibrant green tea, Matcha. Beyond your morning latte, Matcha offers an incredible earthy flavor profile and a beautiful verdant hue that can transform your everyday dishes. This simple Matcha Butter recipe is a game-changer, requiring only two ingredients and minimal effort, yet promising to infuse your baked goods and spreads with a wonderfully unique taste and captivating color. Get ready to elevate your culinary creations to a new level of deliciousness!
If you’re already a dedicated Matcha enthusiast, you’ll love how this Matcha infused butter can deepen the flavor of your favorite treats. If you’re new to the world of Matcha, this is a fantastic entry point to appreciate its versatility. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring that anyone can whip up a batch of this delightful green spread.
For those who, like me, are completely captivated by Matcha, don’t miss our other beloved recipes: the delightful Matcha Truffles and the irresistible Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies! They are not only cute and green but also absolutely bursting with flavor. These recipes perfectly showcase how Matcha can bring a sophisticated, earthy note to sweet indulgences.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients for Matcha Butter
- How to Make Matcha Butter (Step-by-Step)
- The Magic of Matcha: Benefits & History
- Storage and Expert Tips for Perfect Matcha Butter
- Creative Uses for Matcha Butter
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment You’ll Need
- Frequently Asked Questions About Matcha Butter
- Other Matcha and Baking Recipes to Try
🥘 Ingredients for Matcha Butter
One of the most appealing aspects of this easy matcha recipe is its simplicity. You only need two core ingredients to create this flavorful compound butter. The quality of these ingredients, however, will significantly impact the final taste and appearance of your homemade matcha butter.
- Matcha Powder: For the best flavor and color, we recommend using a high-quality culinary or ceremonial grade matcha. While ceremonial grade offers a smoother, less bitter taste, culinary grade is perfectly acceptable, especially when the butter will be used in heavily flavored baked goods.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt content in your final product. This is crucial for baking, where precise measurements are key. You can opt for a high-fat European-style butter for an even richer, creamier result.
For exact quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.
🔪 How to Make Matcha Butter (Step-by-Step)
Creating this delicious Matcha infused butter is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps to achieve a perfectly smooth and flavorful result:
Step 1: Melt the Butter Gently
Begin by melting your unsalted butter in a small frying pan or saucepan over low heat. The key here is gentle heat to prevent the butter from browning too quickly, which can impart an undesired nutty flavor that might clash with the delicate notes of matcha.
Step 2: Infuse with Matcha
Once your butter has mostly melted, it’s time to incorporate the star ingredient. Add in your Matcha powder. To ensure a silky-smooth butter without any clumps, we highly recommend sifting the matcha powder through a fine-mesh sieve directly into the melted butter. This extra step takes only a few seconds but makes a significant difference in the final texture. After adding the matcha, let the mixture gently simmer for about five minutes on low heat. This allows the butter to fully absorb the matcha’s flavor and color.
Step 3: Whisk for Smoothness
While the butter and matcha are simmering, it’s crucial to whisk occasionally. This continuous whisking prevents the matcha powder from settling at the bottom and, most importantly, helps to break up any potential lumps. A smooth consistency is vital not only for the aesthetic appeal of your green tea butter but also for an even distribution of flavor in your matcha baked goods.
Step 4: Strain and Cool
After the five-minute simmer, remove the pan from the heat. Allow the matcha butter mixture to cool down slightly. While it’s still liquid, strain it carefully through a very fine-mesh sieve directly into your chosen storage container, such as a preserving jar. This step is essential for removing any lingering matcha particles or milk solids that might affect the butter’s smooth texture and appearance. You’ll be left with a beautifully smooth, vibrant green butter.
Step 5: Firm Up and Store
Once strained, you have two options for firming up your homemade matcha butter. You can place the jar in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process, especially if you plan to use it soon or prefer a firmer butter. Alternatively, if you desire a softer, more spreadable consistency, you can simply leave it out on the counter overnight to reach room temperature. Both methods will result in a delicious matcha butter, ready for all your culinary adventures.
🧐 The Magic of Matcha: Benefits & History
Matcha isn’t just a delicious ingredient; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits and boasts a rich history. For thousands of years, this finely ground green tea powder has been central to Japanese culture and monastic practices. While its origins trace back to China during the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th centuries), it truly flourished in Japan, primarily through Zen Buddhist monks who utilized it for meditation, appreciating its ability to provide calm alertness.
The unique cultivation process of matcha, where tea plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest, dramatically increases chlorophyll production and boosts the amino acid L-Theanine. This L-Theanine is precisely why a Matcha Latte (or anything made with matcha!) doesn’t leave you with the jittery feeling or the infamous “caffeine crash” often associated with coffee. Instead, it promotes a state of relaxed focus and sustained energy.
Beyond its calming properties, Matcha is incredibly rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins like EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). These powerful compounds are known to help protect the body from free radicals, support cellular health, and can even assist in boosting metabolism. The fact that you consume the entire tea leaf when drinking or eating matcha means you’re getting a much higher concentration of these beneficial nutrients compared to steeped green tea.
Although it has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries, the growing popularity of this vibrant green tea powder outside of Asia is a more recent phenomenon. Now, people worldwide are discovering its unique flavor and incredible health advantages, integrating it into everything from beverages and desserts to savory dishes and, of course, delightful spreads like Matcha butter.
🌡 Storage and Expert Tips for Perfect Matcha Butter
Once you’ve made your batch of Matcha butter, proper storage is key to maintaining its fresh flavor and vibrant color. When stored in an airtight container, such as a sealed preserving jar, your homemade matcha butter can actually last in the refrigerator for up to a month! For even longer storage, you can portion it out and freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before use.
Top Tips for the Best Matcha Butter:
- Choose Your Matcha Wisely: For this matcha butter recipe, I personally recommend using ceremonial-grade Matcha powder. Its smoother, less bitter taste truly shines through. However, if your primary goal is to infuse baked goods with a delicious flavor and beautiful green color, a good quality culinary grade matcha is perfectly acceptable and often more budget-friendly. Avoid low-quality “food grade” matcha, which can be overly bitter and dull in color.
- Sift, Sift, Sift!: This is perhaps the most important tip for a lump-free and perfectly smooth Matcha infused butter. Break out that fine-mesh sieve at the very beginning of this recipe! Running the green tea powder through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it to your melted butter will be a massive help when you’re whisking it in, ensuring a smooth, homogenous mixture and preventing those dreaded clumps.
- Low and Slow: Always use low heat when melting the butter and simmering with the matcha. High heat can burn the milk solids in the butter and degrade the delicate flavor and vibrant color of the matcha. Patience is a virtue here.
- Airtight Storage: Matcha is sensitive to light, air, and moisture. Always store your finished butter in an opaque, airtight container to preserve its color and flavor.
🍽️ Creative Uses for Matcha Butter
Now that you have your beautifully vibrant and fragrant homemade matcha butter, the possibilities are endless! This versatile spread can transform a variety of dishes, adding a unique earthy sweetness and a gorgeous pop of green. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Elevate Your Baked Goods: This is where matcha butter truly shines! Use it in place of regular butter in recipes for cookies, scones, muffins, croissants, shortbread, or even cakes. Imagine Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies with an even deeper matcha flavor, or a vibrant green matcha scone!
- Delectable Spreads: Simply spread a generous layer of matcha butter on toast, crumpets, bagels, or English muffins for an exquisite breakfast or snack. It’s also fantastic on warm pancakes or waffles, perhaps drizzled with a touch of maple syrup.
- Flavorful Glazes and Frostings: Incorporate melted matcha butter into glazes for pastries or into buttercream frostings for cupcakes and cakes. The color and flavor will be a delightful surprise.
- Compound Butter for Savory Dishes (use sparingly!): While primarily sweet, a tiny dab of matcha butter can add an unexpected depth to certain savory dishes. Consider melting a small amount over steamed vegetables like asparagus or green beans, or even finishing a delicate piece of seared white fish for a subtle, earthy note.
- Matcha Pastries: Perfect for making matcha-flavored choux pastry, tart crusts, or even pie crusts. The butter will distribute the flavor and color evenly throughout the dough.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! The unique flavor of Matcha butter opens up a world of culinary creativity. Let its distinct taste inspire your next kitchen adventure.
🍵 Substitutions and Variations
While Matcha powder is undeniably unique, if you’re looking to experiment with other infused butters or find matcha challenging to source, there are some interesting substitutions and variations you can try. Keep in mind that the vibrant green color is exclusive to matcha, but you can still achieve delightful infused flavors.
- Other Green Teas: If you enjoy the grassy notes of green tea but prefer a different profile, consider using regular green tea leaves. You’ll need to finely grind them in a spice grinder or food processor until they form a fine powder before adding them to your melted butter. The flavor will be less intense than matcha, but still distinctly green tea.
- Black Tea Infusion: For a more robust, malty flavor, try infusing your butter with finely ground black tea, such as Earl Grey or Darjeeling. Earl Grey, with its bergamot notes, would create a wonderfully aromatic butter perfect for scones or shortbread. Remember to grind the tea leaves into a fine powder first.
- Rooibos Tea: If you’re looking for a caffeine-free alternative with a warm, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor, finely ground rooibos tea can be a great option. It won’t give you the green color, but its unique taste is fantastic in baked goods.
- Herbal Infusions: Beyond tea, you can infuse butter with dried culinary herbs like lavender, rosemary (for savory applications), or even citrus zest. The process remains the same: gently heat the butter with the finely chopped or zested ingredient, simmer, and then strain.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: For a dairy-free matcha butter, you can substitute unsalted butter with a high-quality vegan butter stick or refined coconut oil. Be aware that this will alter the flavor and texture significantly, but it’s a viable option for those with dietary restrictions. If using coconut oil, ensure it’s refined to avoid a strong coconut flavor overpowering the matcha.
No matter which substitution you choose, the key is to ensure the flavoring agent is finely ground or small enough to infuse effectively and then strained for a smooth final product. Experiment with different flavors to discover your own unique infused butter creations!
🍽 Equipment You’ll Need
This Matcha Butter recipe requires only a few basic kitchen tools:
- Stove: For melting and simmering the butter.
- Small frying pan or saucepan: Ideal for gently heating the butter.
- Whisk: Essential for combining the matcha and butter and preventing lumps.
- Close-meshed sieve or fine-mesh strainer: Crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free butter.
- Preserving Jar or airtight container: For storing your finished matcha butter.
🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions About Matcha Butter
Matcha butter is a delicious compound butter made by infusing melted butter with finely ground matcha green tea powder. The recipe is incredibly simple and quick, often used in baking, spreading on toast, or as a flavorful addition to various dishes. It imparts a wonderful earthy taste and a beautiful vibrant green appearance to anything it touches.
While a typical cup of coffee generally contains more caffeine than a standard serving of matcha, matcha offers a unique caffeine experience. Thanks to its high content of L-Theanine, an amino acid, matcha provides a sustained, calm alertness without the jitters or the dreaded caffeine crash often associated with coffee. It’s a smoother, more focused energy boost that many find preferable.
Absolutely! Matcha powder is rich in antioxidants, making it a fantastic ingredient for at-home spa recipes. Many enjoy adding matcha powder to homemade body butters, facial masks, and other skincare treatments. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for skin health. Just be sure to find reputable recipes designed for topical use and follow the directions carefully to fully enjoy all the wonderful benefits of this super green tea extract for your skin.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade matcha butter can last for up to one month. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to three months. Ensure it’s well-sealed to prevent it from absorbing other odors from the fridge or freezer.
For the richest flavor and most vibrant color, ceremonial grade matcha is ideal. However, a good quality culinary grade matcha works perfectly well, especially if you plan to use the butter for baking where other ingredients might mask some of the matcha’s subtle notes. Avoid using very low-grade matcha as it can be overly bitter and dull in color.
Other Recipes for You to Try
If you’ve enjoyed creating this matcha infused butter, you’ll surely love exploring more recipes that celebrate the unique flavor of matcha and other delightful bakes. Here are some fantastic options:
- Matcha Truffles – A Delicious St. Patrick’s Day Treat
- Bailey’s Salted Caramel Cupcakes
- No Bake Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
- Chocolate Dipped Butter Cookies
- Viennese Sponge Cake
If you make this Matcha Butter recipe or any of our other delicious creations, please let me know how you liked it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and it would be awesome to hear from you! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss it. Happy cooking and baking!
Matcha Butter
By Nora
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Stove
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Small frying pan or saucepan
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Whisk
-
Close meshed sieve
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Preserving Jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 tablespoon Matcha powder (ceremonial or good culinary grade)
Instructions
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In a small saucepan, gently melt ¾ cup Unsalted Butter on low heat.
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Once butter is mostly melted, add 2 tablespoons Matcha powder (sifted for best results). Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes, ensuring the heat remains low.
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Whisk the mixture occasionally during simmering to ensure the matcha is fully incorporated and to prevent any lumps from forming.
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Remove the pan from the heat, let the infused butter cool down slightly, then strain it through a close-meshed sieve into a clean preserving jar or airtight container.
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Place the jar in the refrigerator to allow the matcha butter to firm up to your desired consistency. Alternatively, leave it on the counter overnight for a softer, spreadable butter.
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Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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⛑️ Food Safety
Adhering to proper food safety practices is paramount when preparing any recipe, including homemade matcha butter. While this recipe doesn’t involve raw meat, general kitchen hygiene and safe handling practices are still crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Please keep the following in mind:
- Cleanliness is Key: Always start with clean hands, utensils, and work surfaces.
- Temperature Control: Do not leave perishable foods, especially butter, sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. Once infused, cool the matcha butter quickly and store it in the refrigerator.
- Proper Storage: Store your matcha butter in an airtight container to prevent contamination and maintain freshness.
- Equipment Maintenance: Ensure all equipment, especially sieves and jars, are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before use.
- Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Although melting butter is a simple step, always keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Read and Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to all recipe instructions, especially those pertaining to heating and cooling.
For further comprehensive information on safe food handling, always refer to reputable sources such as the FDA’s guidelines on Safe Food Handling. Your health and safety in the kitchen are our top priority!