Cherry Matcha Velvet Cake

Method

1 - Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans:

• Preheat your oven to 175°C.
• Grease and flour two 20 cm round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2 - Prepare Cherries:

• Drain the cherries from the syrup, pat them dry with paper towels, and set aside keep the juice for the frosting.

3 - Mix Dry Ingredients:

• In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, matcha powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

4 - Cream Butter and Sugar:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

5 - Add Oil and Egg Yolks:

• Gradually add the canola or vegetable oil while continuing to beat the mixture.
• Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Mix in the vanilla extract and distilled white vinegar.

6 - Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:

• Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

7 - Whip Egg Whites:

• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter until no streaks remain.

8 - Bake:

• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
• Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

9 - Make Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth.
• Gradually add the sieved icing sugar and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
• Mix in the cherry juice until well combined.

10 - Assemble the Cake:

• Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
• Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake layer.
• Create a rim around the edge of the frosting to hold the cherries.
• Arrange the cherries within the frosting rim.
• Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the frosting and cherry arrangement.
• Decorate the top of the cake with additional cherries if desired or pipe rosettes with the additional frosting.

11 - Serve:

• Slice and serve the Cherry and Matcha Velvet Cake, and enjoy!
• This cake is a delightful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion!