Green Tea Pound Cake with Candied Beans
How to Make a Delicious Green Tea Pound Cake with Candied Beans
This pound cake is not overly sweet, thanks to the generous amount of candied beans incorporated into the batter. It offers a delicate, yet rich flavor profile, making it a delightful treat. Enjoy the subtle sweetness of the beans and the aromatic notes of green tea in this wonderfully balanced cake.
Pound Cake Ingredients- 180g low-gluten flour (cake flour)
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 10g matcha powder (culinary grade)
- 5g baking powder
- 130g candied beans (or substitute with raisins or other dried fruits/nuts)
Batter Seasoning- 180g unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 110g granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp rum (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 180g unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 110g granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp rum (optional, for enhanced flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by creaming the softened unsalted butter in a bowl using a hand mixer until it’s smooth and fluffy. If your butter isn’t quite soft enough, you can briefly warm it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, but be careful not to melt it completely.
Step 2
Gradually add the granulated sugar to the butter in two to three additions, continuing to mix with the hand mixer. Beat until the mixture is light in color and well combined, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3
Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This is crucial to prevent the butter and egg mixture from separating and becoming lumpy. Mix thoroughly with the hand mixer until the batter reaches a smooth, mayonnaise-like consistency.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, sift together the low-gluten flour, matcha powder, and baking powder. Sifting them at least twice will ensure they are evenly distributed and help create a lighter cake texture. Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing only until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop gluten, leading to a tough cake.
Step 5
Finally, gently fold in the candied beans until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. To encourage a beautiful crack down the center, fill the sides of the pan slightly higher than the middle, creating a subtle boat shape.
Step 6
Lightly coat a silicone spatula with cooking oil. Make a long, straight score down the center of the batter. This helps create a controlled crack as the cake bakes. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 40-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary depending on your oven.
