Green Tea and Black Sesame Layer Cake

Ingredients

• Butter, softened225g
• Caster sugar280g
• Eggs4
• Cake flour300g
• Matcha powder18g
• Baking powder8g
• Salt3g
• Whole milk240g
• Black sesame paste90g
• Cream cheese, softened340g
• Butter, softened (frosting)115g
• Powdered sugar400g
• Heavy cream45g
• Vanilla extract5g
• Black sesame seeds, toasted20g

Method

1. 1.Preheat oven to 170°C. Butter and line three 20cm round cake pans.
2. 2.Sift flour, matcha, baking powder, and salt together twice to ensure even color.
3. 3.Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
4. 4.Fold in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
5. 5.Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake 25–28 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then unmold onto racks.
6. 6.For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then cream and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
7. 7.Transfer one third of the frosting to a bowl and fold in black sesame paste until evenly marbled — do not fully mix, keep it streaked.
8. 8.Level cake layers if needed. Spread sesame frosting between layers. Apply a thin crumb coat of plain frosting, chill 20 minutes.
9. 9.Frost the outside with remaining plain frosting. Use an offset spatula to create smooth sides.
10. 10.Press toasted black sesame seeds around the base. Dust the top lightly with matcha through a fine sieve.